According to the U.S. Department of Defense’s June 2025 release, the United States is reinforcing its commitment to future air superiority through a significant $3.5 billion funding allocation in the 2026 defense budget for the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, which includes the development of the F-47 fighter jet.
This funding comprises $2.6 billion in discretionary spending, while an additional $900 million is subject to approval via a forthcoming reconciliation bill. The F-47, developed by Boeing, is a sixth-generation, multi-role combat aircraft intended to eventually replace the aging F-22 Raptor and serve as the central element in a next-generation aerial warfare ecosystem.
Equipped with stealth-focused airframe design, adaptive cycle engines, and advanced avionics, the F-47 is engineered for deep-penetration strike missions in highly contested environments. It is also built to command and coordinate uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)—autonomous wingmen designed to enhance the jet’s mission reach through the deployment of sensor payloads, electronic warfare suites, and precision-guided munitions, thereby increasing operational survivability and lethality in high-threat zones.
