F-22Raptor
Elite Member
A senior US Air Force (USAF) officer has reiterated that key programmes such as the Boeing F-47 fighter and Northrop Grumman B-21 bomber remain on track.
The message was delivered by USAF General Dale White, speaking at the Life Cycle Industry Days event in Dayton, Ohio.
On what the USAF refers to as the “F-47 family of systems”, White says the programme is characterised by “extreme teaming” with industry, and that the F-47 has “unprecedented maturity” as it enters its engineering and manufacturing development phase.
“The F-47 will fly in this administration,” says White.
This corroborates the fiscal year 2027 budget request from the White House in April, which said the F-47 is on track for a first flight in 2028. Boeing defence chief executive Steve Parker recently said that the programme “is going very well.”
White’s speech, to an audience of acquisition officials, focused on improvements to the Pentagon’s notoriously byzantine procurement process. His role oversees key weapons systems.
“For too long, we have sat back and relaxed under the idea that we’re an administrative and mission support function,” says White.
“Those days are gone. The time is now for this community to deliver.”
He adds that the USAF has boosted B-21 industrial capacity by 25% and that the aircraft is hitting flight milestones.
“B-21 Raiders will be on the ramp at Ellsworth air force base in 2027,” says White.
The USAF has previously said that it will start fielding the stealthy B-21 in 2027. In May, US Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo, who commands US forces in the pivotal Indo-Pacific region, said that he would favour obtaining 200 examples, more than the 100 currently planned.
White also commended the rapid development of collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs) for the USAF. He says that the government-owned open architecture being used in CCA efforts is “killing vendor lock” and fostering a competitive software marketplace for the uncrewed aircraft that will serve alongside manned fighters.
The message was delivered by USAF General Dale White, speaking at the Life Cycle Industry Days event in Dayton, Ohio.
On what the USAF refers to as the “F-47 family of systems”, White says the programme is characterised by “extreme teaming” with industry, and that the F-47 has “unprecedented maturity” as it enters its engineering and manufacturing development phase.
“The F-47 will fly in this administration,” says White.
This corroborates the fiscal year 2027 budget request from the White House in April, which said the F-47 is on track for a first flight in 2028. Boeing defence chief executive Steve Parker recently said that the programme “is going very well.”
White’s speech, to an audience of acquisition officials, focused on improvements to the Pentagon’s notoriously byzantine procurement process. His role oversees key weapons systems.
“For too long, we have sat back and relaxed under the idea that we’re an administrative and mission support function,” says White.
“Those days are gone. The time is now for this community to deliver.”
He adds that the USAF has boosted B-21 industrial capacity by 25% and that the aircraft is hitting flight milestones.
“B-21 Raiders will be on the ramp at Ellsworth air force base in 2027,” says White.
The USAF has previously said that it will start fielding the stealthy B-21 in 2027. In May, US Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo, who commands US forces in the pivotal Indo-Pacific region, said that he would favour obtaining 200 examples, more than the 100 currently planned.
White also commended the rapid development of collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs) for the USAF. He says that the government-owned open architecture being used in CCA efforts is “killing vendor lock” and fostering a competitive software marketplace for the uncrewed aircraft that will serve alongside manned fighters.
