Summary and Key Points: The Lockheed Martin F-35 and Boeing’s upcoming F-47 represent the forefront of military aviation. The F-35 excels as a versatile, multirole stealth fighter currently operational worldwide, known for advanced stealth, agility, and sensor fusion capabilities.
-Meanwhile, the F-47, a sixth-generation fighter under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, promises revolutionary improvements in stealth, speed, range, and sensor integration, designed specifically for air superiority and contested environments.
-Although the F-35 will remain crucial for years, the F-47 is poised to set new standards in air dominance, operating alongside unmanned systems, enhancing strategic flexibility, and ensuring America’s continued aerial superiority in future conflicts.
F-47 vs. F-35: The Showdown You Have Been Waiting for
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and the Boeing F-47 are two of the most advanced fighter jets in the world and may also be the pinnacle of modern military aviation technology.
While the F-35 is already in service and has proven its capabilities in various roles, the F-47 is an upcoming sixth-generation fighter that promises to push the boundaries of air superiority even further.
Today, I’d like to compare what we know about the F-35 and the F-47 and see how the two compare on paper.
The World’s Most Advanced Fighters
The F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, stealth multirole fighters developed by Lockheed Martin. It was designed to perform a wide range of missions, including air superiority, ground attack, electronic warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
The F-35 program began in the early 2000s as part of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) initiative, which aimed to replace several aging aircraft types across the U.S. military and its allies.
The F-35 comes in three main variants: the F-35A (conventional takeoff and landing), the F-35B (short takeoff and vertical landing), and the F-35C (carrier-based). Each variant is tailored to the specific needs of the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy, respectively.
The Boeing F-47 is a sixth-generation air superiority fighter being developed under the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. The F-47 is intended to succeed the F-22 Raptor and provide unmatched capabilities in terms of speed, stealth, and sensor integration.
The NGAD program envisions a “family of systems” approach, with the F-47 serving as the central platform supported by uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) that carry additional munitions and perform other supporting missions.
Additionally, the F-47 is designed to operate in highly contested environments, leveraging advanced stealth technology, long-range capabilities, and superior situational awareness to dominate the skies.
The F-35 vs. the F-47
The F-35 is renowned for its stealth capabilities, which allow it to evade enemy radar and operate in hostile environments with reduced risk of detection. Its design incorporates radar-absorbent materials, internal weapon bays, and aligned edges to minimize its radar cross-section.
The F-35’s stealth is complemented by its advanced electronic warfare suite, which can jam enemy radar and communications, further enhancing its survivability.
The F-47, as a sixth-generation fighter, is expected to take stealth to the next level. It will feature even more advanced materials and design techniques to reduce its radar signature. Additionally, the F-47 will incorporate active stealth technologies, such as electronic countermeasures and decoys, to confuse and evade enemy defenses.
The F-35 is a highly agile aircraft, capable of performing high-G maneuvers and operating at supersonic speeds. Its advanced flight control system and powerful Pratt & Whitney F135 engine provide excellent performance in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
The F-35A, for example, can reach speeds of up to Mach 1.6 and has a combat radius of over 1,000 kilometers.
The F-47 is expected to surpass the F-35 in terms of speed and maneuverability. While specific performance details are still under wraps, the F-47 will likely feature advanced propulsion systems that enable it to achieve higher speeds and greater range. Its design will prioritize agility and responsiveness, allowing it to outmaneuver adversaries in dogfights and evade advanced missile threats.
One of the standout features of the F-35 is its sensor fusion capability. The aircraft is equipped with a suite of advanced sensors, including the AN/APG-81 AESA radar, Distributed Aperture System (DAS), and Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS).
These sensors collect vast amounts of data, which are then processed and presented to the pilot in a comprehensive, easy-to-understand format. This gives the F-35 unparalleled situational awareness and allows it to detect, track, and engage targets with precision.
The F-47 will build on this foundation with even more sophisticated sensor and information fusion technologies. It will integrate data from a wide array of sources, including other aircraft, satellites, and ground-based systems, to create a real-time, multi-domain picture of the battlespace.
This will enable the F-47 to operate effectively in complex, contested environments and coordinate seamlessly with other assets.
Takeaways
The F-35 is designed to be a versatile, multirole fighter capable of performing a wide range of missions. Its primary roles include air superiority, ground attack, electronic warfare, and ISR. The F-35’s ability to perform these diverse missions makes it a valuable asset for the U.S. military and its allies. It is currently in service with several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, and Japan.
The F-47, as a sixth-generation fighter, will primarily focus on air superiority and dominance in highly contested environments. Its roles will include air superiority, penetrating counter-air, and collaborative combat. The F-47’s advanced capabilities will make it a critical component of the U.S. Air Force’s future air dominance strategy. It will work in conjunction with other platforms and systems to ensure the U.S. maintains its edge in aerial combat.
The F-35 Lightning II and the F-47 represent two generations of cutting-edge fighter technology. The F-35, with its proven multirole capabilities and advanced stealth, has already established itself as a cornerstone of modern air forces. The F-47, on the other hand, promises to push the envelope even further, with unparalleled speed, stealth, and sensor integration.
While the F-35 will continue to play a vital role in the coming decades, the F-47 will usher in a new era of air superiority, ensuring that the U.S. and its allies remain at the forefront of military aviation.
Together, these aircraft will provide a formidable combination of capabilities, ready to meet the challenges of the 21st-century battlespace.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
