F-35 vs F-47
In a shocking turn of events, Boeing won the contract to make the F-47, the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter. This was a rare loss for Lockheed Martin, the aerospace giant that had long dominated the stealth fighter market.
During an earnings call on April 22, 2025, Taiclet unveiled a bold plan to turn the F-35, the most widely used stealth fighter in the world, into a “fifth-generation plus” platform that could offer 80% of the F-47’s sixth-generation capabilities at half the price.
Taiclet told investors, “We think we can get most of the way to sixth-gen at half the cost.” This was the start of a strategic shift that could change the global fighter jet market.
This brave move brings up an intriguing question: could Lockheed Martin’s improved F-35, which is backed by a global fleet of over 1,100 planes, beat Boeing’s F-47 and take over the world market?
American air power
The answer lies at the point where politics, economics, and technology all meet. What this means for the future of American air power and the defense industry around the world is enormous.
The NGAD program aims to create the most advanced fighter jet in history, replacing the F-22 Raptor. Boeing is developing the F-47, expected to feature modular design, autonomous flight, and integration with unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
These drone allies will expand the F-47’s sensors, weapons, and electronic warfare options in contested airspace. While F-47 details are secret, the Air Force says it will outperform the F-35 in speed, stealth, and agility.
Each F-47 may cost $160 to $180 million—double the price of an F-35. President Trump announced Boeing’s win on March 21, 2025, marking a major comeback for the company.
Boeing hadn’t won a stealth fighter contract since losing the Joint Strike Fighter competition two decades ago. The $20 billion F-47 development contract signals NGAD’s importance and potential long-term value.
The program could generate hundreds of billions over its lifetime. Lockheed Martin accepted the loss but plans to adapt quickly.
James Taiclet
CEO James Taiclet said during the April 22 earnings call that Lockheed won’t contest the NGAD award. Instead, Lockheed will apply NGAD technologies to improve its existing platforms—especially the F-35.
In a March 2025 release, Lockheed pledged to advance air dominance in response to global threats. This strategy shift recognizes the F-35’s global footprint and established infrastructure as strategic assets.
The F-35 Lightning II serves as the backbone of allied air forces worldwide. It comes in three variants: F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C for different mission needs.
Its stealth, sensors, and network integration give it unmatched versatility in contested environments. The F-35’s radar-evading design offers a much smaller radar signature than older jets like the F-16.
It uses the AN/APG-81 radar and Distributed Aperture System for 360-degree awareness and targeting. The jet shares data with other aircraft, enhancing its value in joint operations.
By December 2024, Lockheed delivered 1,102 F-35s to the U.S. and allied nations like Australia, Japan, and NATO members. Lockheed plans to build over 3,500 units by the 2040s.
Despite its success, critics point to the program’s $2 trillion lifetime cost and high maintenance expenses. Some missions cost more than $35,000 per flight hour.
NGAD
Lockheed plans to integrate NGAD demonstrator technologies into the F-35 for better performance. Although the details remain classified, the upgrades are likely to include new sensors, stealth coatings, and battlefield networking capabilities.
Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrades will improve the jet’s computing power, displays, and weapons systems. The next-gen AN/APG-85 radar may enhance the F-35’s ability to track stealthy targets.
Lockheed aims to evolve the F-35 into a “fifth-generation plus” fighter with sixth-gen capabilities. Improved networking may allow it to control CCA drones—one of the F-47’s core features.
Upgraded stealth and electronic warfare may help counter Russian and Chinese air defenses. The economic argument is strong—each F-35A costs about $79 million, far less than the F-47.
Lockheed avoids the massive R&D costs tied to building an entirely new aircraft. The company has streamlined F-35 production and aims to cut operating expenses to $25,000 per flight hour by 2025. In contrast, the F-47 remains in early development, with full production not expected until the mid-2030s.
Lockheed Martin
This schedule gives Lockheed Martin a window to put upgraded F-35s into service, which could help them get market share before the F-47 becomes widely available. Taiclet says it can deliver 80% of sixth-generation capabilities at half the cost.
This is a big claim, but it is possible because the F-35 already has a supply chain and a global logistics network in place. The F-35’s market dominance is a key part of Lockheed Martin’s plan. With over 1,100 planes in 17 countries, the F-35 enjoys unbeatable economies of scale.
Countries like Finland, which chose the F-35 over competitors like the Saab Gripen, and Canada, which recently announced plans to buy 88 F-35s, have put a lot of money into the platform, building a strong ecosystem of training, maintenance, and upgrades.
Lockheed Martin can offer cost-effective modernization packages because of its strong position. This makes the upgraded F-35 a viable choice for current operators. The F-47, on the other hand, has a challenging time getting into international markets because it is a new platform.
Allies who are used to the F-35’s interoperability and support infrastructure might not want to buy a more expensive, unproven plane, especially if Lockheed Martin can make a plane with similar capabilities for less money.
Despite having advanced technology, Boeing’s F-47 must navigate the challenges presented by changes in the market. The sixth-generation jet has features like adaptive cycle engines and broadband stealth that make it unbeatable against similar planes from China or Russia, like the J-20 or the Su-57.
Fifth-Generation Stealth Fighter
China’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, the J-20, is now in service with many units. By 2025, over 200 are expected to be in use. It has long-range missiles and high-tech sensors, but not the F-35’s network-centric warfare abilities.
With less than 20 operational planes, Russia’s Su-57 is still not a major threat, even though production delays and sanctions have made it harder to get.
The F-47 might have an advantage over these competitors because it can work with CCA drones and in contested areas, but its high cost and long development time may make it less appealing to allies on a budget.
For instance, countries like Poland, which recently added more F-35s to its fleet, may prioritize affordability and the ability to work with other systems over cutting-edge technology.
Lockheed Martin’s current strategy has significant geopolitical effects. By marketing the F-35 as a fighter that is close to being in its sixth generation, the company could strengthen U.S. alliances by providing a cheap response to Chinese and Russian progress. But this approach could lead to problems within the U.S. defense establishment.
The Air Force has put a lot of money into the NGAD program, and if the upgraded F-35 turns out to be effective enough, they may be forced to cut back on buying F-47s.
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall
This could potentially intensify tensions between Lockheed Martin and Boeing, as well as between the Pentagon and Congress, amidst already heated budget negotiations.
Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, who was responsible for the NGAD competition, said in March 2025 that the decision to give the contract to Boeing was based on industrial base issues. This suggests that Lockheed Martin’s success with the F-35 and F-22 played a role in the outcome.
Kendall said of Boeing, “In some ways, they needed to win this one more than Lockheed did.” He was talking about how important it is for the defense industry to continue competing.
The improved capabilities of the F-35 could change the global arms market. If Lockheed Martin is able to deliver a “fifth-generation plus” F-35, it could make it harder for the F-47 to be exported, leaving it mostly for use by U.S. forces.
If this happens, Lockheed Martin would become the world’s largest supplier of stealth fighters, which could hurt Boeing. But it also makes people wonder if the U.S. industrial base will be around in the long run.
A market dominated by one platform, like the F-35, can slow innovation and discourage companies like Boeing from investing. Meanwhile, China is advancing sixth-generation fighters like the J-36, spotted as a prototype in late 2024.
The U.S. typically balances new fighter development with upgrades to existing platforms. The F-15EX shows this strategy by offering F-35-like features at a lower cost.
Only 186 F-22s
Similarly, the Navy keeps upgrading its F/A-18 Super Hornets to stay competitive. Lockheed Martin follows this model by using the F-35 as a bridge to sixth-generation technologies.
The F-22 Raptor, which the F-47 aims to replace, also faced cost issues and limited production. Only 186 F-22s were ever built due to high program costs. F-47 supporters argue its cutting-edge features justify the investment.
But Lockheed Martin’s focus on affordability shifts the debate from bold leaps to smart upgrades. The F-35 versus F-47 battle goes beyond business—it’s a global contest of strategy and influence.
Lockheed bets incremental upgrades with mass production will outperform risky breakthroughs. Although Boeing’s F-47 represents a visionary leap, it encounters financial and logistical challenges. Success would reshape allied air forces and boost deterrence in an unstable world.
Conclusion
Defense experts will closely monitor Taiclet’s plan to determine whether the F-35 can truly achieve near-sixth-generation performance at a significantly lower cost. If Lockheed Martin succeeds, it could change the way military aviation is priced, making it harder for Boeing to compete. Still, if the F-47 lives up to its hype, it could help Boeing’s comeback and change the way power is distributed in the industry.
Will the F-35’s ability to reach more places and lower cost win out, or will the F-47’s superior technology take the lead? The answer may depend on whether Lockheed Martin can make its big plan come true or whether Boeing’s risky sixth-generation plan pays off.
References
- U.S. Air Force NGAD Program Overview – AF.mil
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/NGAD-AF-Overview - Lockheed Martin F-35 Official Page
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/F35-LM-Official - Boeing Awarded NGAD Contract – Defense News
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/Boeing-NGAD-Win - F-35 TR-3 Upgrades – Breaking Defense
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/F35-TR3-2025 - Trump Announces Boeing F-47 Win – Defense News Today
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/Trump-F47-NGAD - U.S. Defense Spending & Fighter Jet Costs – GAO
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/GAO-Fighter-Costs - Frank Kendall NGAD Comments – Air Force Magazine
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/Kendall-NGAD-Comments - Canada Finalises F-35 Deal – Canada.ca
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/Canada-F35-Deal - China’s J-20 Developments – The Diplomat
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/China-J20-2024 - Russia’s Su-57 Status – Janes
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/Russia-Su57-Status
