F-47 vs. F-35: The F-35 Lightning II and the upcoming F-47 represent significant advancements in fighter jet technology, each serving distinct roles in modern warfare. The F-35, already in service, is a versatile multirole fighter used for air superiority, strike, and reconnaissance. In contrast, the F-47, part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, is designed for air superiority in highly contested environments and is expected to integrate with uncrewed systems.
Key Points
- The F-35 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter jet, while the F-47 is a sixth-generation air superiority fighter, still in development.
- Research suggests the F-35 has a top speed of Mach 1.6 and a range of 2,800 km, while the F-47 seems likely to offer longer range and advanced stealth.
- The F-35 costs around $100 million per unit, but the F-47’s estimated cost is $300 million, reflecting its advanced technology.
- It appears the F-35 is operational across multiple variants, while the F-47’s capabilities are not fully disclosed, adding uncertainty to comparisons.
Specifications and Capabilities
The F-35 comes in three variants: F-35A (conventional takeoff), F-35B (short takeoff/vertical landing), and F-35C (carrier-based), with a top speed of Mach 1.6 and a range of 2,800 km. It features advanced stealth, a powerful sensor suite, and can carry various munitions internally and externally. The F-47, however, is still under development, with limited public details, but it is expected to have superior stealth, longer range, and possibly hypersonic capabilities, designed to work with uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft.
Cost and Production
The F-35’s unit cost is approximately $100 million, with efforts to reduce costs through production. The F-47, estimated at $300 million per unit, reflects its advanced technology, but its higher cost may limit production compared to the F-35.
Strategic Implications
While the F-35 is already enhancing global partnerships and national security, the F-47 aims to address future threats, particularly against advanced adversaries. This transition highlights the US Air Force’s focus on maintaining air dominance in an evolving geopolitical landscape.
Detailed Comparison of F-47 and F-35 Fighter Jets
Background and Development
The F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a family of single-seat, single-engine, supersonic stealth strike fighters, designed to meet the needs of multiple services, including the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as international partners. It entered service in 2016 and has been produced in three variants: F-35A (conventional takeoff and landing), F-35B (short takeoff/vertical landing), and F-35C (carrier variant). The program, initially estimated at $200 billion in 2001, has faced cost overruns and delays but is now in full production, with costs per unit around $82.5 million for F-35A as of recent reports.
The F-47, on the other hand, is Boeing’s entry into the sixth-generation fighter category, announced in March 2025 as part of the NGAD initiative. It aims to replace the F-22 Raptor and complement the F-35, focusing on air superiority in contested environments. Development began with experimental tests flying since 2020, and the program faced a temporary pause in 2024 due to cost concerns, with per-unit estimates reaching $300 million. Much of its design remains classified, but it is expected to field by the end of the decade.
Role and Mission
The F-35 is designed as a multirole fighter, capable of air superiority, strike, and reconnaissance missions. Its versatility allows it to replace older aircraft like the F-16 and A-10, serving multiple roles across different branches. It is equipped to operate in network-centric warfare, sharing data with other platforms to enhance situational awareness.
In contrast, the F-47 is primarily an air superiority fighter, intended to engage and defeat advanced adversary air defenses and fighters in highly contested environments. It is part of a “family of systems” approach, integrating with uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to enhance combat effectiveness through swarming and distributed operations. This focus on air dominance suggests a more specialized role compared to the F-35’s broader mission set.
Specifications and Capabilities
Given the classified nature of the F-47, its specifications are not fully disclosed, but we can compare it with the F-35 based on available data and expected sixth-generation features.
Dimensions and Weight
- F-35: The F-35A has a length of 51.4 ft (15.7 m), wingspan of 35 ft (10.7 m), height of 14.4 ft (4.39 m), and an empty weight of 28,999 lb (13,154 kg). Variants like F-35B and F-35C have slight variations, with F-35C having a larger wingspan of 43 ft (13.1 m) for carrier operations.
- F-47: Expected to be larger, trading maneuverability for range and stealth, with details such as dimensions and weight not publicly available. Analysts suggest it may have a design optimized for long-range missions, potentially with a forward fuselage and sharply swept-back wings, as hinted in recent renderings.
Performance
- F-35: Achieves a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 at high altitude, with a combat radius of 669 nmi (1,239 km) for interdiction and 760 nmi (1,410 km) for air-to-air on internal fuel. It has a service ceiling of 50,000 ft (15,000 m) and can sustain 9 g maneuvers (F-35A).
- F-47: Research suggests it will have significantly longer range, possibly exceeding 2,800 km, and may include hypersonic capabilities or improved supercruise performance. Its design is built for contested environments, implying enhanced speed and endurance compared to fifth-generation fighters.
Stealth and Survivability
- F-35: Features advanced stealth with a radar cross-section lower than a metal golf ball at certain frequencies, using radar-absorbent materials and a diverterless supersonic inlet. It can mount Luneburg lens reflectors to disguise its RCS for non-stealth missions.
- F-47: Expected to have even more advanced stealth, potentially with new materials reducing infrared and acoustic signatures, making it virtually undetectable by current radar systems. This is crucial for operations against sophisticated air defenses like Russia’s S-400 or China’s HQ-9.
Avionics and Sensors
- F-35: Equipped with the AN/APG-81 AESA radar, AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (DAS) for missile warning, and AN/AAQ-40 Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) for targeting. It also features a helmet-mounted display system (HMDS) allowing pilots to see through the aircraft, with 8.6 million lines of code for Block 3F software.
- F-47: Likely to include cutting-edge sensor fusion, possibly quantum-based sensors, and an open-systems architecture for frequent software and sensor upgrades. It is designed with a “built to adapt” mindset, enhancing situational awareness in networked battlespaces.
Armament
- F-35: Carries internal weapons in two bays, including AIM-120 AMRAAM for air-to-air and JDAM for air-to-ground, with external stations for non-stealth missions. It is certified for the B61 Mod 12 nuclear bomb and can carry up to 8 AIM-120s and 2 AIM-9s. Planned upgrades include the AIM-260 JATM and Mako hypersonic missile.
- F-47: Expected to feature next-generation weapons, possibly directed energy weapons or hypersonic missiles, and is designed to integrate with CCA for extended firepower. Its armament will likely focus on air superiority, with internal bays for stealth operations.
Integration with Other Systems
- F-35: Operates within a network-centric warfare environment, using Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) and Link 16 for data sharing. It is a node in the 21st Century Security vision, enhancing joint operations.
- F-47: Part of a “family of systems,” it will work with uncrewed CCA, enhancing combat effectiveness through distributed operations. This integration is a key feature, allowing it to lead drone swarms and operate in highly contested battlespaces.
Cost and Production
- F-35: As of July 2024, flyaway costs are $82.5 million for F-35A, $109 million for F-35B, and $102.1 million for F-35C. The program’s total lifetime cost to 2070 is estimated at $1.5 trillion in then-year dollars, reflecting its international production and maintenance needs.
- F-47: Estimated at $300 million per unit, with the initial Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract worth $20 billion, potentially escalating to hundreds of billions over its lifecycle. Its higher cost may limit production, focusing on specialized roles rather than mass deployment.
Strategic Implications and Controversies
The F-35 has faced controversies, including cost overruns, technical flaws, and delays, but it remains a critical asset for the US and its allies, enhancing global partnerships. Its operational deployment has been praised for lethality and survivability, yet critics like Elon Musk have called it an “expensive & complex jack of all trades, master of none,” advocating for more investment in drone technology (X post: Insider Paper).
The F-47, still in development, has sparked debate over its cost-effectiveness, with estimates three times that of the F-35 raising concerns about affordability. Its focus on air superiority and integration with uncrewed systems is seen as a response to emerging threats from China and Russia, but its high cost may strain defense budgets, especially given recent pauses in the NGAD program due to financial scrutiny.
F-47 vs. F-35 Comparative Table
|
Feature
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F-35 (A Variant)
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F-47 (Expected)
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|---|---|---|
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Generation
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Fifth
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Sixth
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|
Role
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Multirole (air, strike, recon)
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Air Superiority
|
|
Top Speed
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Mach 1.6
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Likely > Mach 1.6, possibly hypersonic
|
|
Range
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2,800 km
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Significantly longer, potentially > 4,000 km
|
|
Stealth
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Advanced, RCS like a golf ball
|
More advanced, potentially near-invisible
|
|
Cost per Unit
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~$82.5 million (2024)
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~$300 million (estimated)
|
|
Avionics
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AN/APG-81 radar, DAS, EOTS, HMDS
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Advanced sensor fusion, quantum sensors
|
|
Integration
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Network-centric, MADL, Link 16
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Family of systems, CCA integration
|
|
Armament
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AIM-120, JDAM, B61 nuclear, external options
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Next-gen weapons, hypersonic, directed energy
|
Conclusion
The F-35 and F-47 represent evolutionary steps in fighter jet technology, with the F-35 already proving its worth in operational theaters and the F-47 poised to redefine air dominance. While the F-35 offers versatility and global reach, the F-47’s focus on advanced stealth, range, and integration with uncrewed systems addresses future threats in contested environments. As development progresses, the balance between cost, capability, and strategic need will shape their roles in the US Air Force’s future fleet.
