Boeing has begun production of the first prototype of the F-47 sixth-generation multirole fighter, designed to replace the U.S. Air Force's existing F-22 Raptor fleet. Air Force Chief of Staff General David Alwin announced this at the Air & Space Association's Air, Space, and Cyber ​​Conference, as cited by Defense News.

Olvin stressed that the aircraft will form the basis for air superiority for years to come.

"This is a platform that, together with the rest of the [associated family] of systems, will ensure [airspace] dominance in the future," - he noted.

The prototype's first flight is scheduled for 2028. Production began shortly after Boeing was announced as the winner of the development competition in March.

According to preliminary specifications, the F-47 will be equipped with advanced stealth technologies, new weapons and engines, and will be integrated with autonomous drones as "flying wingmen." Its operational range will exceed 1000 nautical miles (approximately 1852 km), and its maximum speed will exceed Mach 2 (over 2448 km/h). The Air Force intends to purchase at least 185 of these aircraft.