A new video from Pratt & Whitney has reignited controversy over the Boeing F-47, which is slated to be the 6th Generation fighter that would eventually replace the F-22 Raptor. Halfway through a short animation focusing on engine progress, an animated fighter jet arrives in flight, its two engines burning brightly as it slashes through a picture-perfect blue skies. Observers quickly identified the image as a possible portrayal of the F-47 itself, powered by Pratt & Whitney’s XA-103 engine, which is now under development.
The F-47 was developed as part of the US Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance program, which aimed to create a long-range air supremacy fighter. Boeing received the contract to manufacture the F-47 in 2025, a beast capable of commanding swarms of autonomous drones while also delivering missiles over long distances. The Air Force planned only for a minimum of 185 of these aircraft. Right now, development has moved on to the engineering and manufacturing phases, with the first prototype scheduled to fly in 2028. The first tech demonstrators have been flying in secret since roughly 2020.
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Pratt & Whitney’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program was responsible for developing the XA-103 engine. This XA-103 engine is one of those ingenious adaptive-cycle engines that can alter modes to balance thrust and fuel burn dependent on mission needs. The results are amazing; it produces around 10% more thrust than the F-35 while increasing range by roughly 25%. This increased power will assist sustain all of the new sensors, and who knows, perhaps even directed energy weaponry. Meanwhile, the innovative thermal management system keeps the internal systems cool while also reducing the heat signature, which is an important feature in the aircraft’s stealth capabilities, particularly when operating in the Pacific theatre.
The video demonstrates an all-digital approach to engine design. Now, digital twins allow engineers to mimic engine performance, optimize components, and get a head start on testing without having to manufacture every part in person. Pratt & Whitney recently completed both preliminary and comprehensive design assessments. They are currently planning prototype ground tests for the late 2020s, as General Electric competes in the same propulsion contest with its own XA102 concept.
Notably, the F-47 rendering has characteristics such as a tailless shape to limit radar visibility, blended wing surfaces with less sharp edges, forward canards for control, and a high-placed cockpit for improved pilot awareness. The thrust-vectoring nozzles resemble those used on the F-22, which aid in fast maneuvers at high speeds. Last but not least, a dorsal refueling point indicates that long operations away from bases are a high priority.
Top speed remains about Mach 2, with a combat radius of more than 1,000 nautical miles. Stealth is also impressive, outperforming the F-22 and F-35 combined. The aircraft is plainly meant to first penetrate defensive airspace and coordinate unmanned wingmen before engaging in close-range combat.
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