Summary and Key Points: The F-47, America’s new sixth-generation fighter, promises advanced stealth and next-gen technology.
-But former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall questions if now is the right time for this costly aircraft, arguing the $300 million-per-plane price tag might divert crucial resources from other priorities like counter-space defense and airbase protection.
-The Trump administration’s early reveal of the F-47 may have been prompted by China’s recent unveilings of similar fighters.
-While advocates emphasize its unmatched air superiority capabilities, critics worry about budget strains and misplaced priorities, urging hard questions about America’s true defense needs and fiscal responsibilities.
Is America Betting Too Much on the F-47? Experts Raise Alarm
The F-47, America’s new sixth-generation fighter, promises advanced stealth and next-gen technology.
But former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall questions if now is the right time for this costly aircraft, arguing the $300 million-per-plane price tag might divert crucial resources from other priorities like counter-space defense and airbase protection.
The Trump administration’s early reveal of the F-47 may have been prompted by China’s recent unveilings of similar fighters. While advocates emphasize its unmatched air superiority capabilities, critics worry about budget strains and misplaced priorities, urging hard questions about America’s true defense needs and fiscal responsibilities.
Can America Really Afford the New F-47 Stealth Fighter?
On March 21, it was announced that Boeing had won the contract to develop the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, now christened the F-47. Experts and enthusiasts alike are excited about the possible capabilities of the future aircraft.
However, now that the dust has more or less settled on the announcement, it is fair to ask whether now is really the right time for the sixth-generation fighter.
Is the F-47 Really What America Needs?
In an opinion piece posted on Defense News, former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall argues that the Trump administration may have moved too hastily in committing to the F-47. In the article, he asks whether the F-47 is really the fighter that the U.S. needs right now.
With the administration favoring a defensive strategy focused more on homeland security, does it really make sense to pursue a stealth fighter that’s designed to penetrate deep into enemy territory? Furthermore, is this really the best strategy to take against nuclear peers such as Russia and China?
It is unknown what conflicts or warfighting scenarios are driving the Trump administration’s defense decisions, but serious questions need to be answered before deciding whether the F-47 is really the best platform to develop right now.
The Budget Rears its Ugly Head
Kendall also raises the issue of the F-47’s cost. The former secretary worries that the F-47 may eat up too much of the budget, or divert resources from other projects that may be more pressing. “When the Air Force created its first draft 2026 budget and five-year program in 2024, we concluded we couldn’t afford NGAD no matter how capable and relevant it was.
Congress needs to ask what has changed since then,” Kendall writes.
Initial estimates suggest that each F-47 aircraft could cost around $300 million, nearly triple the cost of the F-35. This high price tag is attributed to the advanced technologies integrated into the aircraft, including next-generation stealth, sensor fusion, and long-range strike capabilities.
The total program cost, including research, development, and procurement, is expected to be substantial, potentially tens of billions of dollars.
What About Other Projects?
Analysts will naturally also question whether there are other worthwhile investments that the U.S. should be pursuing ahead of the F-47. Kendall argues that counter-space weapons and airbase defense should take higher priority than the sixth-generation fighter.
He emphasizes that China is developing its space-based systems, and the U.S. should not fall behind in this category.
“China is well on its way to fielding robust space-based targeting systems that threaten all of our land- and sea-based forces. We must acquire counter-space systems at scale or China will be able to target all of our assets at sea and on the ground with impunity and in real time,” Kendall writes.
Why was the F-47 Announced so Early?
With all this in mind, the question arises: Why did the administration decide to announce the F-47 so early? The answer is rather obvious in my mind. It’s no coincidence that the F-47 was announced only a few months after the reveal of China’s J-36 and J-50 next-generation fighters.
The unveiling of these new fighters more than likely played a significant role in the decision to reveal the F-47. The administration likely wanted to show the rest of the world that the U.S. is not falling behind China in the development of sixth-generation fighters.
China is not the only competition the F-47 has, however. The project is set to compete for funding against other significant modernization projects, such as the B-21 bomber and DDG(X) frigate, alongside many others.
This competition for resources raises concerns about whether funds will be available for the most critical defense initiatives—this is in fact what Kendall fears. The high cost of the F-47 could strain the defense budget.
However, the Air Force believes that the F-47’s advanced capabilities justify the investment, as it will provide unmatched air superiority for decades to come.
The Airforce has Hard Questions to Answer
Proponents of the F-47 argue that its strategic importance cannot be overstated. As the cornerstone of the NGAD family of systems, the F-47 is designed to counter the most sophisticated adversaries in contested environments.
Its adaptability and modular design ensure seamless integration with emerging technologies. Its advanced stealth capabilities, supersonic speeds, and integrated AI systems for enhanced targeting could set the U.S. ahead of its adversaries.
The F-47 is a promising idea that may turn out to be just the gamechanger that it is advertised to be. However, there are several difficult questions that the current administration must answer first. Is this really the jet the U.S. needs right now?
Can the budget really handle the F-47? And are there other projects that deserve higher priority?
About the Author:
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.
