Key Takeaways

• Boeing’s St. Louis campus will develop and produce the U.S. Air Force’s F-47 sixth-generation fighter.
• Senator Eric Schmitt emphasized the importance of the F-47 program for regional growth and national security.
• The U.S. is set to invest billions annually in the F-47, with its first flight anticipated in 2028.

Development of the F-47 Fighter Jet

Boeing’s St. Louis defense campus has been designated as the primary hub for the development and production of the U.S. Air Force’s F-47 sixth-generation fighter. As part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, the F-47 is expected to revolutionize air combat. Though the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing the contract, little is publicly known about the aircraft due to classified details.

During a recent visit to Boeing’s St. Louis facility, Senator Eric Schmitt highlighted the F-47 program as a key driver of defense technology growth in the region. Elected in 2022, Schmitt expressed his commitment to amplifying St. Louis’s status as a center for defense technology. He stated, “There is no reason in the world… St. Louis can’t be the defense tech capital of the United States.”

The senator emphasized the need for St. Louis to promote its strengths more effectively, portraying it as a historic and vibrant American city. He depicted the F-47 program as crucial for deterring threats in the Pacific, particularly amid competition with China in the development of next-generation aircraft.

Characterizing the F-47 as the most advanced fighter jet, Schmitt noted its expected capabilities, including higher speed and larger payloads than previous American jets. The U.S. is projected to invest billions annually over the next few years for the aircraft’s development, construction, and testing, with its inaugural flight planned for 2028. Schmitt remarked on the significant economic benefits, asserting that the program will create thousands of jobs.

Concerns about the program’s future were raised in 2024, prompting Schmitt to advocate for its continuation and the necessity for the fighter to be manufactured in St. Louis. He mentioned engaging with top officials, emphasizing the program’s strategic importance.

Boeing site executive Dan Gillian confirmed that the company has invested over $2 billion in the St. Louis facility, which employs more than 18,000 individuals. The F-47 initiative is framed as part of a broader industrial network fostering aerospace and defense employment in the region.

At the time of awarding the contract, the Air Force stated that this decision followed a rigorous selection process, affirming the NGAD platform as the most capable and cost-effective solution for maintaining air superiority in a challenging global environment. The F-47 is poised to be a cornerstone of the NGAD, integrating advanced stealth features, sensor-fusion technologies, and long-range strike capabilities designed to counter sophisticated threats in contested settings.

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