The United States Air Force is developing its sixth-generation fighter, the F-47, which is expected to have a significantly enhanced combat radius compared to its predecessors, specifically aiming for over 1,000 nautical miles. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Allvin shared this information in a graphic posted on X (formerly Twitter) on a Tuesday, highlighting the advanced stealth capabilities and speeds exceeding Mach 2 (over 1,500 miles per hour) that the F-47 will possess.
In addition, Allvin mentioned the introduction of semi-autonomous drones known as collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), which are designed to have a combat radius of more than 700 nautical miles and stealth similar to the F-35 fighter. The combat radius is defined as the distance an aircraft can travel from its base or last refueling point, complete its mission, and return safely, which translates to roughly half of the total range of the aircraft.
If the projections are accurate, the F-47 will offer a much greater range than the F-22 Raptor, which has a combat radius of 590 nautical miles, and the F-35A, which has a radius of 670 nautical miles. Moreover, it will be faster than the F-35A, whose top speed is Mach 1.6 (approximately 1,200 miles per hour).
The expanded range of the F-47 is anticipated to be a crucial advantage in potential conflicts, particularly with China, where operations may require crossing vast oceans and operating in contested airspace where aerial refueling may not be feasible. Air Force leaders and aviation experts have previously expressed concerns about the capability of existing aircraft to effectively reach targets in China.
The Air Force has also modified the initial design of the CCAs to enhance their range capabilities. Former Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter noted in a July 2024 interview with Defense News that input from operational officers led to the recognition of range limitations in early CCA plans, which were deemed inadequate for effective combat operations, especially in the Pacific region. Although specific range details were not disclosed, Hunter indicated that efforts were being made to balance range requirements with cost and scheduled delivery.
The two companies responsible for producing the first two CCAs are General Atomics, which is building the YFQ-42A, and Anduril Industries, constructing the YFQ-44A. Allvin’s post mentioned that the maximum speeds of these CCAs remain classified.
The Air Force plans to have both the F-47 and the CCAs operational by the decade’s end. There are intentions to procure at least 185 F-47s—matching the number of F-22s they are meant to replace—and over 1,000 CCAs.
Concerns about costs led former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to put the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program on hold last year. The estimated cost of each NGAD fighter was about $300 million, which is approximately three times the cost of an F-35. This high expense would have limited the number of fighters the Air Force could purchase, prompting a review and re-evaluation of the program to identify cost-reduction strategies.
Stephen Losey, the air warfare reporter for Defense News, has been covering military operations and has experience reporting on air warfare and personnel issues in various U.S. Air Force contexts.
