Boeing F-47 (NGAD)
Boeing F-47 (NGAD)
01 Executive_Summary
Boeing F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter. Won contract March 2025. First flight targeted 2028. Manufacturing of first article began September 2025. $3.45B FY2026, $5+B FY2027. 185 aircraft planned (replacing F-22). Propulsion: NGAP (Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion) engine not ready until ~2030. GE XA102 and P&W XA103 prototypes in development. 'The initial batch of F-47 fighters will not fly with an NGAP engine.' 'Neither the USAF nor Boeing has disclosed what engine will initially power the F-47.' Program characterized by 'extreme teaming,' 'unprecedented maturity,' and 'secretive testing campaign.' Modular design intended to 'accommodate emerging technology.' ASSESSMENT: The F-47 is a CONVENTIONAL sixth-generation fighter with adaptive-cycle turbofan propulsion. The corpus claim that 'Boeing NGAD is cover for CFR orb flight testing at Edwards AFB' is NOT SUPPORTED by public evidence. The budget ($3.45B/year) is consistent with a fighter program, not a revolutionary propulsion program.
02 Definition
A major aerospace defense contractor involved in Skunk Works CFR test operations per 2025 corpus documents.
03 Deep_Dive_Intelligence
Overview
Boeing F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter. Won contract March 2025. First flight targeted 2028. Manufacturing of first article began September 2025. $3.45B FY2026, $5+B FY2027. 185 aircraft planned (replacing F-22). Propulsion: NGAP (Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion) engine not ready until ~2030. GE XA102 and P&W XA103 prototypes in development. 'The initial batch of F-47 fighters will not fly with an NGAP engine.' 'Neither the USAF nor Boeing has disclosed what engine will initially power the F-47.' Program characterized by 'extreme teaming,' 'unprecedented maturity,' and 'secretive testing campaign.' Modular design intended to 'accommodate emerging technology.' ASSESSMENT: The F-47 is a CONVENTIONAL sixth-generation fighter with adaptive-cycle turbofan propulsion. The corpus claim that 'Boeing NGAD is cover for CFR orb flight testing at Edwards AFB' is NOT SUPPORTED by public evidence. The budget ($3.45B/year) is consistent with a fighter program, not a revolutionary propulsion program.
Entity Type: Program — Boeing F-47 (NGAD) is a government or defense program/initiative.
Technical Definition
A major aerospace defense contractor involved in Skunk Works CFR test operations per 2025 corpus documents.
Related Concepts: Skunk Works, Compact Fusion Reactor
Research Findings
Boeing F-47 (NGAD) appears in 5 research analysis documents:
AVCO PlasmaRadiationShield 1967:
Findings: AVCO Plasmaradiationshield 1967
Source PDF: [NASA - The Plasma Radiation Shield: Concept and Applications to Space Vehicles (1967)](/archive/AVCO_PlasmaRadiationShield_1967)
Date range: 1955-1985
Source org: NASA
Summary
This 1967 NASA contractor report, prepared by AVCO Corporation researchers Richard H. Levy and Francis W. French, explores the concept of a P...
Findings: BAESystems CFR SoC 2015 2020
Source PDF: [BAESystems CFR SoC 2015 2020](/archive/BAESystems_CFR_SoC_2015_2020)
Date range: 1999-2025
Source org: AFRL
Summary
This report assesses BAE Systems' role as the lead subcontractor for the CFR program's radiation-hardened System-on-Chip (SoC) development between ...
Boeing SkunkWorks CFR Test Ops 2025:
Findings: Boeing SkunkWorks CFR Test Ops 2025
Source PDF: [Boeing SkunkWorks CFR Test Ops 2025](/archive/Boeing_SkunkWorks_CFR_Test_Ops_2025)
Date range: 2005-2025
Source org: DoD
Summary
This 2025 report analyzes the collaboration between Boeing and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works for the clandestine flight testing of the C...
Boeing SkunkWorks CFR Test Ops 2025:
Findings: Boeing SkunkWorks CFR Test Ops 2025
Source PDF: [Boeing SkunkWorks CFR Test Ops 2025](/archive/Boeing_SkunkWorks_CFR_Test_Ops_2025)
Date range: 2005-2025
Source org: DoD
Summary
This 2025 report analyzes the collaboration between Boeing and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works for the clandestine flight testing of the C...
DoD FRC-CFR Orb Assessment 2023:
Findings: Dod Frc cfr Orb Assessment 2023
Source PDF: [DoD FRC-CFR Orb Assessment 2023](/archive/DoD_FRC_CFR_Orb_Assessment_2023)
Date range: 1975-2025
Source org: LANL
Summary
This technical assessment examines the clandestine acquisition ecosystem and developmental history of the Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) ...
Source Documents
Intelligence derived from 4 source documents:
- Air Force Times — 'F-47 program producing test aircraft' (July 30, 2026)
- Breaking Defense — 'Air Force eyes next-gen engine integration by 2030' (July 2026)
- FlightGlobal — 'USAF general reiterates 2028 first flight for F-47' (July 2026)
- Breaking Defense — 'Manufacturing of first F-47 underway' (September 2025)
05b Related_Topics (3)
06 Research_Findings (5)
# Findings: AVCO Plasmaradiationshield 1967 **Source PDF:** `AVCO_PlasmaRadiationShield_1967.pdf` **Date range:** 1955-1985 **Source org:** NASA ## Summary This 1967 NASA contractor report, prepared by AVCO Corporation researchers Richard H. Levy and Francis W. French, explores the concept of a Plasma Radiation Shield designed to protect astronauts from solar flare-produced protons. The study concludes that using electromagnetic fields and free electrons for active shielding is theoretically
View Source PDF → NASA - The Plasma Radiation Shield: Concept and Applications to Space Vehicles (1967)# Findings: BAESystems CFR SoC 2015 2020 **Source PDF:** `BAESystems_CFR_SoC_2015_2020.pdf` **Date range:** 1999-2025 **Source org:** AFRL ## Summary This report assesses BAE Systems' role as the lead subcontractor for the CFR program's radiation-hardened System-on-Chip (SoC) development between 2015 and 2020 at its Manassas facility. It details how the company reconstituted the program's control system following the 2014 loss of the Freescale Semiconductor team, utilizing DARPA initiatives
View Source PDF → BAESystems CFR SoC 2015 2020# Findings: Boeing SkunkWorks CFR Test Ops 2025 **Source PDF:** `Boeing_SkunkWorks_CFR_Test_Ops_2025.pdf` **Date range:** 2005-2025 **Source org:** DoD ## Summary This 2025 report analyzes the collaboration between Boeing and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works for the clandestine flight testing of the CFR orb at Edwards Air Force Base. It details how the Boeing Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program office serves as a strategic cover and financial vehicle for this revolutionary technology wit
View Source PDF → Boeing SkunkWorks CFR Test Ops 2025# Findings: Boeing SkunkWorks CFR Test Ops 2025 **Source PDF:** `Boeing_SkunkWorks_CFR_Test_Ops_2025.pdf` **Date range:** 2005-2025 **Source org:** DoD ## Summary This 2025 report analyzes the collaboration between Boeing and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works for the clandestine flight testing of the CFR orb at Edwards Air Force Base. It details how the Boeing Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program office serves as a strategic cover and financial vehicle for this revolutionary technology wit
View Source PDF → Boeing SkunkWorks CFR Test Ops 2025# Findings: Dod Frc cfr Orb Assessment 2023 **Source PDF:** `DoD_FRC-CFR_Orb_Assessment_2023.pdf` **Date range:** 1975-2025 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This technical assessment examines the clandestine acquisition ecosystem and developmental history of the Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) and Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) 'Orb' program within the U.S. defense infrastructure. Produced around 2023, the report details the transition of plasma physics research from national laboratories to
View Source PDF → DoD FRC-CFR Orb Assessment 202307 Key_Findings
- ▸ Entity Type: Program — Boeing F-47 (NGAD) is a government or defense program/initiative.
- ▸ Related Concepts: Skunk Works, Compact Fusion Reactor
- ▸ AVCO PlasmaRadiationShield 1967:
- ▸ Source PDF: `AVCO_PlasmaRadiationShield_1967.pdf`
- ▸ Source PDF: `BAESystems_CFR_SoC_2015_2020.pdf`
09 Timeline_Mentions (5)
Lockheed MFC classified 'franchise' program — $1.4B losses, directed energy or plasma weapon, flips positive 2028
Second massive classified program. $1.4B losses. 'Franchise' with 'long legs.' 2028 profitability. Directed energy or hypersonic speculation. Total classified: ~$3B.
defense-programsFravor 20-year assessment (Nov 2024): Tic Tac 'far superior' to anything US will develop through 2034+
Top Gun pilot: Tic Tac beyond anything we had, have, or will develop in next 10+ years. Beyond F-47, beyond classified programs. Tension with US plasma weapon hypothesis.
uap-researchBoeing wins F-47 NGAD (conventional) — Lockheed's Power & Plasma Team is 'generation-after-next' (beyond F-47)
F-47 = conventional turbofan. Power & Plasma Team = 'generation-after-next.' Orb platform would be beyond F-47. Two-track strategy.
defense-programsBoeing Awarded NGAD EMD Contract
Boeing receives a $20B+ contract for the F-47 NGAD platform, providing cover for CFR orb flight testing.
defense-programsLockheed Skunk Works hiring for Revolutionary Technology Program in 2026 — 'generation-after-next' air platforms
RTP still active. 'Platforms 15-30 years in the future.' 'Future air platforms.' Plasma physics for propulsion. Palmdale classified facility.
defense-programs10 FAQ
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Source_Documents 4 FILES
External_References 4 REFS
Glossary_Sources
Verified_Primary_Sources 4 SOURCES
Type: program
Region: main
Last updated: Research database snapshot