6 Shocking Facts About the U.S. F-47: Stealth Successor to the F-22 Raptor
Since the late 1950s, most U.S. fighter jets have carried names that evoke threat or strength—like the F-4 Phantom, A-6 Intruder, or animal-inspired names such as the F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle, and F-16 Fighting Falcon.
On Friday, Washington time, the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump, flanked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the Oval Office, officially unveiled the U.S. Air Force’s newest fighter jet: the F-47.
The full name of the F-47 has not yet been disclosed. Trump called "47 a beautiful number," but offered few other details—except to confirm that Boeing has been awarded a major contract to build the sixth-generation fighter jet.
Billionaire and close Trump adviser Elon Musk reportedly commented that the Department of Defense should focus on acquiring unmanned aircraft, which could prove more cost-effective than expensive manned fighters.
Also present in the Oval Office was Air Force Chief of Staff General David W. Allvin, who later stated:
"The F-47 represents a major leap forward in securing America’s air superiority for decades to come."
He added:
“The F-47 will be the most advanced, lethal, and adaptive fighter aircraft ever developed—engineered to outthink, outfight, and outmaneuver any adversary that dares challenge our brave airmen.”
According to The New York Times (Saturday, March 22, 2025), Trump noted that an experimental version of the jet has already been flying for nearly five years.
6 Intriguing Facts About America's F-47 Fighter Jet
1. How Advanced Is It, Really?
If President Trump’s bold claims hold true, the F-47 could become the most advanced fighter jet on the planet. Both Russia and China are actively developing their own sixth-generation fighters, and a coalition of European nations is pursuing similar efforts.
“We know every other aircraft,” said Trump. “I’ve seen them all—and this one is unmatched. It’s the next level.”
He added:
“You know, level five is great,” a clear reference to America’s fifth-generation stealth fighters like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
Then came the punchline:
“This is level six.”
According to General David W. Allvin, the F-47 is expected to be the first manned sixth-generation fighter jet in the world—setting a new benchmark in aerial combat technology.
2. How Fast Can the F-47 Really Fly?
Speed has long been a key metric for U.S. generals and admirals when evaluating the performance of fighter jets. While stealth capabilities and fuel-efficient long-range flight have become increasingly important, raw velocity still matters in dogfights and rapid deployment.
President Trump hinted at the F-47’s top speed, stating:
“Its speed is extremely high—‘over two,’ which you don’t hear often.”
This likely refers to Mach 2, or twice the speed of sound—a milestone first achieved by a U.S. military jet in 1953.
For comparison:
- The legendary SR-71 Blackbird, a reconnaissance aircraft introduced in the 1960s, could exceed Mach 3 before being retired in the 1990s.
- The twin-engine F-22 Raptor can fly above Mach 1.5, and is capable of reaching Mach 2.
- The single-engine F-35 Lightning II tops out at around Mach 1.6.
If the F-47 exceeds Mach 2, it would be among the fastest manned fighters in modern history—marking another leap in sixth-generation fighter jet technology.
3. How Much Will the F-47 Cost—and How Many Will Be Built?
President Trump declined to disclose the unit cost of the new F-47 fighter jet, but statements from General David W. Allvin suggest that it will be less expensive than the F-22 Raptor, the aircraft it’s set to replace. Even more importantly, the U.S. Air Force plans to acquire them in greater numbers.
According to the U.S. Air Force’s official fact sheet, only 183 F-22 Raptors were produced—each with a price tag of approximately $143 million.
If the F-47 is not only more advanced but also more affordable, this could represent a significant shift in the Pentagon’s approach to next-generation air dominance, emphasizing both technological superiority and fleet scalability.
4. What About Its Stealth Capabilities?
President Trump boldly declared that the F-47 would be “virtually invisible.” He emphasized that the aircraft would possess unprecedented power—more than any fighter jet ever built.
“America’s enemies will never see it coming,” Trump told reporters and TV cameras.
The United States has deployed stealth aircraft in combat since the First Gulf War in 1991, when the F-117 Nighthawk—first flown in 1981—led airstrikes on Baghdad.
In 1999, during the NATO bombing campaign in the Balkans, the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber was used in combat for the first time. But that same year, a U.S. F-117 was shot down by Serbian forces, proving that even stealth aircraft aren’t invincible.
Regarding the F-47, Trump noted that he hopes it will never be used in war, but added:
“You have to have it. And if it does happen, they won’t know what hit them.”
If the F-47 delivers on its stealth promises, it could redefine air dominance, combining extreme low observability with next-gen power projection.
5. What Weapons Will the F-47 Carry?
Neither President Trump nor General Allvin revealed specific details about the F-47’s armament. However, all current stealth fighters operated by the U.S. Department of Defense share a common design principle: to maintain low radar visibility, they carry missiles and bombs internally in weapon bays.
For example, the F-22 Raptor, designed toward the end of the Cold War primarily to shoot down Soviet jets, is limited in the number of air-to-air missiles it can carry internally.
To expand its ground-attack capability, the U.S. Air Force developed small 250-pound bombs that fit inside the Raptor’s internal bays.
The F-35 Lightning II can carry a variety of missiles and bombs internally under each wing, but can also mount external weapons when stealth is not a mission priority.
By comparison, the stealth bomber B-2 Spirit can carry up to 40,000 pounds of bombs internally. The Air Force has not yet disclosed how many bombs the next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bomber will carry.
If the F-47 follows this trend, it is expected to balance stealth with powerful internal weapon capacity, allowing it to engage a wide range of air and ground targets without compromising its low observability.
6. What Does the F-47 Look Like?
The exact design of the F-47 remains unclear. During the Friday Oval Office announcement, two images labeled “F-47” were displayed on stands flanking President Trump’s desk.
To the president’s right, a photo showed the aircraft on the ground beneath a large U.S. flag. The plane featured a triangular, flat nose above its front landing gear.
Its cockpit appeared mirror-black, while the wings looked slightly inverted. Much of the aircraft was obscured by shadows above and dramatic smoke below, adding to its mysterious aura.
The image to Trump’s left seemed to be an artist’s rendition, depicting the F-47 emerging from the clouds—highlighting its stealthy and futuristic design.
Until official details and clearer photos are released, the F-47’s exact silhouette and features remain a subject of intense speculation among military enthusiasts and analysts.
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