Boeing is awarded the NGAD contract to design the F-47, the future 6th generation US fighter, intended to replace the F-22 Raptor.
On March 21, the US administration confirmed that Boeing had been awarded a contract worth over 20 billion dollars (approximately 18.5 billion euros) to develop the F-47, the 6th generation fighter intended to replace the F-22 Raptor. This contract is part of the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. The F-47 will incorporate advanced technologies: stealth, new-generation sensors, advanced propulsion, interoperability with drones and network-enabled warfare capabilities. The project marks a major strategic turning point for US air superiority, and a reconfiguration of the military aeronautics market, to the detriment of Lockheed Martin.
The NGAD contract: industrial and strategic issues
The award of the NGAD (Next-Generation Air Dominance) contract to Boeing, with an initial value of 20 billion dollars, represents a redefinition of the Pentagon’s industrial priorities. The program currently covers the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase, a crucial step prior to industrialization. Ultimately, according to Congressional Budget Office projections, this program could exceed $250 billion (approximately €231 billion) over several decades, taking into account the need for units, logistical support and evolutionary developments.
Boeing, which has been in difficulty for several years (737 MAX accidents, T-7 Red Hawk delays, KC-46 production defects), sees this as a reaffirmation of its role in the air defense industry. The contract will allow the reactivation of the St. Louis production line, where the F-15EX and F/A-18E/F were already being produced. Approximately 5,000 direct jobs are involved, and up to 20,000 indirect jobs, according to the state of Missouri.
Boeing’s choice to the detriment of Lockheed Martin is strategic. Lockheed dominated the sector with the F-22, F-35 and the B-21 program associated with Northrop Grumman. The NGAD therefore marks a redistribution of industrial and technological shares in military aviation. At the same time, Boeing asserts its know-how in the management of interconnected platforms, one of the keys to future warfare.
The F-47: a fighter integrated into a multi-level system
Little technical information is available on the F-47. However, several industrial sources and American budget documents indicate the expected characteristics of NGAD fighters:
- Increased stealth: suppression of radar angles, absorbent materials, reduced thermal signatures.
- New generation AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) active sensors for radars.
- Passive electro-optical systems integrated into the fuselage.
- Adaptive variable cycle engine, developed with GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney.
- Estimated speed > Mach 2.2, range > 1,800 km, payload > 9 tons.
The F-47 will not be an isolated aircraft. It will be integrated into a family of systems, including autonomous tactical support drones (Collaborative Combat Aircraft). These drones will be capable of carrying out reconnaissance, jamming, attack or decoy missions, in coordination with the mother aircraft.
The NGAD also incorporates a shared data processing network based on the Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) architecture. It is no longer just a matter of having a high-performance fighter, but of integrating it into an interoperable, cyber-protected combat system operating in several dimensions (air, ground, space, cyber).
Geostrategic consequences: anticipating high-intensity conflicts
The NGAD program is part of the American strategy to respond to the growing capabilities of China and Russia. The US Air Force has identified that the F-22 Raptor, despite its performance, is technologically outdated in the face of emerging threats. The Chinese J-20B fighter, equipped with new WS-15 engines and long-range sensors, is already in deployment. Russia, for its part, is continuing its developments on the Su-57 and has announced a future Su-75 Checkmate, although production rates remain low.
The F-47 is scheduled to enter service between 2030 and 2035, with an initial production run of 200 to 300 units. It will complement rather than replace the F-35, which will remain NATO’s multi-role fighter. The doctrine of use differentiates the roles: the F-35 for precision attack and joint support, the F-47 for very high intensity assault in contested areas.
The development of the F-47 is also fuelling a technological competition: several NATO member countries (notably the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan) are working on their own projects (Tempest/FCAS). Defense budgets are evolving accordingly. The 2024 U.S. defense budget provides $1.8 billion for NGAD, an increase of 38% over 2023.
Industrial prospects and global market tensions
The NGAD contract could redefine the global industrial balance. Boeing can thus capitalize on this dynamic to compete with Dassault Aviation and BAE Systems in European projects. In time, export versions could emerge, although previous F-22s have never been exported. The export policy for the F-47 remains unclear, but several allied countries (Australia, Japan, Israel) have expressed an interest in principle.
The arrival of this fighter could also impact the market for unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV), which are directly linked to the autonomous systems integrated into the NGAD. The military drone sector already represents more than 15 billion euros per year, with growth of 12% per year according to Markets & Markets.
Finally, this contract repositions Boeing in a context of raw material shortages, tensions on electronic components, and fragmentation of aeronautical supply chains. The manufacturer’s ability to meet deadlines and control costs will be rigorously monitored.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.