"After years of research and hundreds of hours of testing, President Donald Trump unveiled the F-47. This fighter, along with all the systems under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) project, will ensure our future air superiority," US Air Force Commander General David Allvin stated on 22/9.

General Allvin said that the US Air Force had to accelerate the project after Mr. Trump's announcement. "Just months later, Boeing began production of the first F-47s. The team is committed to having the aircraft take off in 2028," he said.

General Allvin explained that the F-47 is part of a large-scale modernization effort to help the US Air Force maintain its advantage. "Our adversaries are not slowing down. They aren't stopping and saying 'we'll slow down if the US does'. They're not taking a break," General Allvin said.

Artist's rendering of the F-47 fighter jet released on 21/3. Graphic: USAF

The US Air Force previously stated that the F-47 prototype was expected to make its first flight before the end of Mr. Trump's current term in 1/2029.

The design of the F-47 and information about the program remain classified. Only two graphic renderings of the F-47 have been released. In the image published on 21/3, the F-47 features canards on either side of the cockpit to increase maneuverability, but this design could reduce the aircraft's stealth capabilities.

Some US officials have indicated that the renderings of the F-47 may not accurately represent the fighter's actual appearance. Tyler Rogoway, editor of the US military website War Zone, suggested these images could be intentional misdirection.

The US Air Force has said the F-47 is expected to have a combat radius of over 1,800 km and a top speed of around 2,400 km/h. The F-47's range is estimated to be 25% greater than existing US military fighters.

According to US Air Force officials, the F-47 program is expected to leverage the entire NGAD ecosystem, including the ability to control combat support drones.

The US Air Force will purchase at least 185 F-47s, in line with plans to replace the F-22 stealth fighter fleet. However, US officials have mentioned the possibility of changing the number of F-47s purchased in the future, as well as the potential for developing different variants during upgrade cycles.

The cost of a completed F-47 is unknown. Some US experts and officials estimate that each F-47 could cost over 300 million USD, three times the average price of an F-35 stealth fighter.

Nguyen Tien (According to War Zone, AFP, AP)