Overview
- Gen. Dale White said the Boeing-led F-47 program remains on schedule for a 2028 prototype flight, with the effort in Engineering and Manufacturing Development and early low‑rate work reported underway.
- A new 30‑second Pratt & Whitney video focused on the XA‑103 adaptive engine briefly shows a render that may depict the fighter, though officials have cautioned that such imagery can be deliberate misdirection.
- Pratt & Whitney says the XA‑103, developed under the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program, uses digital‑twin methods and is expected to extend range by about 25% and deliver roughly 10% more thrust than the F‑35, with advanced thermal management.
- Public reporting describes the aircraft’s goals as extreme stealth, speeds exceeding Mach 2, and a combat radius over 1,000 nautical miles, with the crewed jet serving as a command hub for autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
- Air Force planning references a baseline of roughly 185 aircraft and credits new acquisition authorities with compressing timelines, while budget, scale, and industrial‑base questions remain unresolved.