Overview
- Rep. Rob Wittman said the Air Force’s F-47 and the Navy’s F/A‑XX will not be available until the mid‑2030s, requiring the services to keep F‑22s and F/A‑18s in service longer.
- The Air Force still targets a 2028 first flight for the Boeing-led F‑47 following the March 2025 award, with Gen. Dale White expressing confidence in program progress.
- Pentagon leaders are asserting a government reference architecture to avoid vendor lock and enable faster upgrades, a shift officials say will guide multiple programs.
- Analysts cite saturated industry capacity and the complexity of sixth‑generation systems as key factors pushing schedules later than the earlier 2030-era expectations.
- The Navy has yet to select a contractor for F/A‑XX, and bridging the delay carries costs, including high F‑22 operating expenses and Super Hornet Service Life Modifications beyond 10,000 flight hours.