The U.S. Department of Defense, in a June 2025 update, confirmed a $3.5 billion investment in the fiscal 2026 defense budget to advance the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform, the F-47 fighter jet. This includes $2.6 billion in immediate discretionary funding and $900 million pending reconciliation approval. Boeing’s F-47, a sixth-generation, multi-role fighter, is intended to succeed the F-22 Raptor and form the core of the future air combat ecosystem. The platform combines advanced stealth, adaptive propulsion, and next-gen avionics with the ability to control unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). These autonomous systems will support the F-47 by carrying sensors, electronic warfare payloads, and precision-guided munitions in highly contested airspace, significantly increasing mission flexibility, survivability, and lethality.
