Latest revelations about America's sixth-generation super fighter F-47

According to the military website Bulgarianmilitary.com, the US Air Force has just opened a new chapter in the history of military aviation with the announcement of the sixth-generation fighter F-47.

At an event at the White House, the first official image of this super fighter jet has aroused curiosity and debate among defense experts.

Breakthrough design and strategic change

The most notable feature of the F-47 design is the canards placed in front of the main wings. Unlike previous generations of stealth aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor or F-35 Lightning II, the F-47 seems to be shifting its focus from stealth to performance and maneuverability.

"That could signal that they're prioritizing close-range combat or complex engagements in environments where stealth is not a guarantee of superiority," said Michael Pryce, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, with the F-47 at its core, was conceived as a response to growing Chinese and Russian aviation capabilities. A 2021 Congressional Research Service report noted that the program is geared toward longer range, greater survivability, and the ability to adapt to future threats.

Costs and challenges

Development has not been without its bumps. Estimates from the US Government Accountability Office suggest that the cost of the NGAD program could exceed $100 billion. Adding winglets to the F-47 could add to the technical challenges and production costs.

International competitors such as China's J-20 and Russia's Su-57 have similar designs. The J-20 has used flaps to combine stealth and agility, while the Su-57 focuses on super-maneuverability.

“We are building an aircraft that will meet the needs of the US Air Force for decades, combining advanced stealth capabilities with unmatched performance,” said Linda Harrow, Boeing’s vice president of advanced aircraft programs.

Experts like Richard Aboulafia say Boeing may be playing to its strengths in building fighter jets that can withstand pressure and still maintain combat effectiveness.

The F-47 is not just a new aircraft, but also a signal of a strategic shift in American air combat thinking. Whether these flaps are the key to future air superiority or just a bold experiment will be revealed in the coming years.