Summary and Key Points: As the U.S. advances its 6th-generation F-47 stealth fighter, a critical debate arises: should it be exclusively American or sold to allies?
-While the ultra-advanced F-22 remained U.S.-only to protect sensitive technologies, the F-35 successfully became a global fighter.
Shown is a graphical artist rendering of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Platform. The rendering highlights the Air Force’s sixth generation fighter, the F-47. The NGAD Platform will bring lethal, next-generation technologies to ensure air superiority for the Joint Force in any conflict. (U.S. Air Force graphic)
-Selling the F-47 internationally could create cost efficiencies, enhance interoperability, and establish multinational dominance through advanced networking technologies.
-However, sharing cutting-edge technologies poses security risks, potentially exposing classified capabilities.
-Balancing these strategic advantages against security concerns will be critical for the Trump administration as it considers the future of global air dominance and alliances in the 2030s.
The F-47 Fighter: For Sale?
As the Pentagon embarks upon a continued 6th-generation stealth fighter effort, it may seem too preliminary to consider the possibility of the aircraft ultimately being sold to allied nations.
While the prospect appears somewhat far off, as the F-47 aircraft has several more years of planned development before becoming operational in roughly the 2030 timeframe, the significance of a decision of this kind can’t be underestimated.
It would seem to be a complex question with two clear and well-reasoned arguments, each with a visible, large-scale example.
The examples are very high-profile, including the F-22 and F-35 on either end of the spectrum.
The F-22 is regarded as so unique and superior that the Pentagon decided it would not be available for Foreign Military Sales.
There are no foreign customers or export variants, perhaps part of a conservative effort to safeguard its unique, high-performing technologies and attributes. The F-35, however, while also considered unique, has ventured into the opposite direction and arguably become the 5th-generation aircraft for much of the free world. More than 18 countries are now F-35 partners, and the effort began as a multinational collaborative venture.
There are clear arguments in favor of each strategy, and it’s not too early to wonder what the Trump administration might do with the promising and fast-emerging Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter.
Should it be sold to allies? Kept in the US only? There are, of course, advantages and liabilities with either path.
F-35-Like Multinational Fleet
What is the advantage of having a global fleet of F-35s? Does it offset the risks of sharing uniquely sensitive technologies with other countries?
Many key advantages are associated with having a global F-35 network, mainly due to the aircraft’s universal Multifunctional Advanced Data Link (MADL) technology, which enables all F-35s to securely and seamlessly share time-critical combat information across a combat formation.
This technology adds a command and control advantage to attacking stealth aircraft as they are positioned to share intelligence and targeting information. An allied multinational force of F-35s could mass 5th-generation air-attack power across a large theater formation and put otherwise impossible pressure on an enemy force.
Hundreds of F-35s could essentially form a 5th-generation wall establishing air superiority across vast areas of great relevance.
Shown is a graphical artist rendering of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Platform. The rendering highlights the Air Force’s sixth generation fighter, the F-47. The NGAD Platform will bring lethal, next-generation technologies to ensure air superiority for the Joint Force in any conflict. (U.S. Air Force graphic)
In keeping with Sun Tzu’s famous “mass matters” quote, it makes sense that the ability to deploy a vast, dispersed yet heavily networked large force of F-35 could offer an unparalleled advantage.
Therefore, should NGAD be engineered with similar secure, high-speed networking technology, it certainly makes sense that it will be a large, multinational force of 6th-generation stealth aircraft offering similar air-combat advantages.
Another advantage associated with 6th-gen multinational sales is the simple reality of cost reduction; more significant production buys lower costs and streamlines manufacturing. There is also a key logistics and supply element, as member nations with the same aircraft are positioned to cooperate and collaborate easily regarding maintenance, spare parts, and repairs. A multinational force enables a standard logistics chain to sustain operations more seamlessly across vast distances.
F-22 Argument
Then, the equally compelling argument suggests that any effort to share or export some of the most advanced technology the world has ever seen presents measurable security risks.
Even though allies receive export variants of the F-35 and other advanced US platforms, sharing them, even to a limited degree, increases the possibility that sensitive technologies could be stolen or disrupted. Should advanced engineering and manufacturing expertise be exported as well, then carefully protected technological integration methods could also be compromised.
This risk could have been the case with the F-22, as it operates with a speed and thrust-to-weight ratio equal to or greater than any aircraft worldwide.
Finally, there is always a “skeptics” argument, meaning today’s allies could one day become adversaries, given the many twists and turns associated with geopolitical history and the uncertainty of the future.
About the Author: Kris Osborn
Kris Osborn is Military Technology Editor of 1945 and the President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
