The U.S. Moves Forward With Its Most Advanced Fighter Jet
President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will build “the most lethal aircraft ever made.” This comes just months after concerns about the future of America’s next-generation fighter program.
Why It Matters
Right now, no country has a sixth-generation fighter jet in active service.
The U.S. is working on a manned sixth-generation fighter as part of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. Other countries, including the U.K., Japan, Italy, France, Germany, and Spain, are developing their own advanced fighter jets.
Fifth-generation jets, like the U.S. F-22, Russia’s Su-57, and China’s J-20, focus on stealth technology. The next generation will go even further, using advanced stealth, artificial intelligence, and drones.
The new U.S. jet, called the F-47, will have a longer range, better stealth, and require fewer crew members than older models, according to the Air Force.
What We Know About the F-47
- Trump named the jet F-47 because he is the 47th president.
- The timeline for its deployment is unclear, but Trump says the first jets will be “in the air” before his current term ends.
- Boeing won the contract after competing with other top U.S. aerospace companies.
- Trump claims the jet’s prototype has already been secretly flying for five years.
Back in 2024, the U.S. Air Force paused its NGAD program due to high costs. However, the military recently confirmed that the F-47 will be cheaper than the F-22 and better suited for future threats.
Trump believes this investment will help the U.S. stay ahead of China. “Nothing in the world comes even close to it,” he said.
How Does the F-47 Compare to China’s J-36?
China has been testing its own sixth-generation fighter, the J-36. Recent videos suggest the jet has completed several test flights.
William Freer, a security expert, believes the timing of the F-47’s announcement is no coincidence. “History has shown that competition drives the U.S. to push its technology even further,” he said.
Comparing the two aircraft is difficult because both are still in development. Experts say:
- The J-36 is large and designed for long-range missions.
- It has three engines, which is rare for a fighter jet.
- Its size allows it to carry more fuel and larger weapons, but that makes it less maneuverable and easier to detect.
The F-47, on the other hand, is smaller and designed for high-speed combat. It has a single pilot, suggesting more automation than previous jets.
Jacob Parakilas, a defense expert, says the J-36 is built for long-range strikes, while the F-47 is likely designed for air-to-air combat.
The U.S. vs. Russia and China in Military Tech
Over the last decade, China has replaced Russia as the U.S.’s main competitor in air power. Experts believe China’s J-20 is already more advanced than Russia’s Su-57.
Meanwhile, Russia is also developing a sixth-generation fighter, but few details are available. The Su-57, Russia’s most advanced jet, has rarely been used in Ukraine, and Ukraine even claims to have damaged one on a Russian airbase in 2024.
The Future of Fighter Jets: Drones and AI
Trump revealed that the F-47 will fly with drones. “It doesn’t fly alone. It flies with as many drones as you want,” he said.
Both the U.S. and China are working on drone-assisted air combat. Experts believe drones will:
- Extend the range of sensors
- Carry extra weapons
- Distract enemy forces
Drones are changing warfare, as seen in Ukraine, and all major militaries are trying to integrate them into their air forces.
What Experts Are Saying
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: “The F-47 sends a clear message that the U.S. will continue to dominate the skies.”
- Air Force General David Allwin: “This jet will shape the future of air combat.”
- Donald Trump: “America’s enemies will never see it coming.”
With global tensions rising, the race for air superiority is heating up. The U.S., China, and Russia are all developing cutting-edge fighter jets, but for now, the full capabilities of these aircraft remain a mystery.
