The United States reaffirmed its strategic commitment to air superiority with a $3.5 billion allocation in the defense budget 2026 for the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform, the F-47 fighter jet, according to information released by the U.S. Department of Defense at the end of June 2025. In addition to the $900 million that is still awaiting authorization via a reconciliation bill, this significant investment includes $2.6 billion in discretionary money. The F-47, created by Boeing, is meant to be the main element of a next-generation air combat ecosystem and is intended to take the place of the F-22 Raptor as a multi-role combat platform. It combines cutting-edge avionics, adaptive cycle propulsion, and stealth-enhancing design with the flawless command and control of unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). With these independent wingmen, the F-47’s mission capabilities will increase, enabling it to carry out precision weapons, electronic warfare payloads, and sensor nodes in dangerous areas, thereby maximizing its lethality while ensuring its survival.
