To date, the NGAD programme has cost the U.S. Department of Defense a record $8.73 billion, with $2.33 billion allocated in 2024 alone. However, this figure is based solely on officially disclosed research and development contracts and may not reflect additional expenses such as infrastructure, production readiness, and personnel training.
In March 2025, the Pentagon selected Boeing’s design as the winner of the NGAD competition. At the time, it was announced that the Department of Defense would invest over $20 billion in the development and production of the F-47.
The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that NGAD demonstrators developed by Boeing and Lockheed Martin have accumulated hundreds of flight hours since 2019. These demonstrators were built under the X-Plane programme, aimed at reducing technical risks associated with new technology development.
Boeing revealed its demonstrator in 2019, while Lockheed Martin presented its prototype in 2022. The efforts have contributed significantly to advancing sixth-generation fighter capabilities.
General David Allvin stated that the United States was the first nation to field a sixth-generation aircraft, describing it as a capability developed largely in secret, having caught potential adversaries off guard and ensuring continued U.S. air dominance. He also noted that the F-47 would be less expensive and more adaptable to future threats compared to the F-22.
