Sixth-generation fighter aircraft aims at future air combat. The US military spends 33 billion yuan to build an F-47 test base.

The U.S. Air Force's sixth-generation fighter jet, the F-47, has yet to make its first flight, and dedicated test facilities have entered the early bidding process. The US military plans to invest approximately US$1.057 billion (approximately NT$33.3 billion) to build a test park at Nellys Air Force Base in Nevada, setting up hangars, laboratories, maintenance and training facilities. The main project is expected to be completed in early 2031.

The US military media "Air & Space Forces Magazine" reported on the 26th that the US Air Force issued a preliminary bidding announcement on October 22, looking for up to four qualified furniture manufacturers to participate in the design and construction. The overall project cost is approximately US$1.057 billion, including design, construction, safety and other expenses.

Major facilities include a flight line operations and maintenance building of approximately 10,870 square meters, a dedicated laboratory for reprogramming aircraft systems, an apron with sunshade facilities, and a simulator facility of approximately 3,810 square meters.

The bidding document also lists the possible addition of fuel system maintenance hangars, stealth coating corrosion protection, weapons mounting training and maintenance training facilities, but these projects are still possible follow-up projects.

The U.S. Air Force expects to award the first batch of contracts in February 2027. It will first carry out about 9 months of design and pre-construction preparation, and then start about 40 months of main work, which is scheduled to be completed in early March 2031.

First flight expected in 2028

This construction is the U.S. Air Force's preparation for the F-47 to enter the testing phase. The Air Force's 2027 budget proposal has earmarked $730 million for F-47 hangars and other support facilities, noting that operational testing of the fighter aircraft will be conducted at Nellis Air Force Base.

The U.S. Air Force announced in March 2025 that the F-47 would be built by Boeing, with plans to gradually replace the F-22 Raptor fighter jets in the 2030s. It is expected that the F-47 will account for about 20% of the Air Force's fighter fleet in the future. The US military expects this fighter to have stealth, data sharing and electronic warfare capabilities, and can also command semi-autonomous collaborative combat drones.

Former US Air Force Chief of Staff David Allvin said in September 2025 that the first F-47 had entered the manufacturing stage at that time and was expected to make its first flight in 2028. Irwin also stated in May of the same year that the F-47 can fly at speeds exceeding Mach 2 and have a combat radius of more than 1,852 kilometers; these data are performance claims made by officials and are not published actual measurement results.