Israel is preparing to request information from the United States about the highly classified F-47 fighter as it assesses whether the sixth-generation aircraft could eventually join the Israeli Air Force.
By David Brummer
Israel’s Defense Ministry and IDF are expected to seek information on the capabilities and potential availability of the US F-47, a next-generation fighter being developed by Boeing, according to The Jerusalem Post.
The request comes as Israel continues procurement talks for F-35 and F-15 aircraft and assesses Washington’s policy toward foreign participation in the secretive program.
Israel is preparing to request detailed information about the United States’ next-generation F-47 fighter, including its capabilities and whether Washington may eventually allow allied countries to acquire the aircraft.
According to reports, Israeli defense officials are also expected to examine whether US policy toward the F-47 will differ from the longstanding restrictions surrounding the F-22 Raptor, which Washington has never exported.
The F-47 is being developed under a heavy veil of secrecy as part of the US Air Force’s sixth-generation fighter program. The aircraft is expected to feature a new engine, advanced artificial intelligence and a high degree of connectivity with systems operating across the air, land, sea and space.
The fighter is also expected to operate alongside unmanned systems, including UAVs carried inside the aircraft. Western defense experts have suggested that some configurations could eventually allow the aircraft to be operated remotely.
One of the program’s key requirements is extended range. The aircraft is reportedly being designed to operate at distances of around 2,000 kilometers, a range that would be relevant to Israel’s ability to reach distant theaters including Iran, Iraq and Yemen.
The F-47 is also expected to carry a larger weapons load than the F-35 while incorporating an advanced stealth design. The United States is seeking to keep its operating and maintenance costs below those of existing fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35.
Israeli interest in the aircraft comes as Washington has begun signaling that some allies could potentially participate in the program.
Senior US officials have suggested that Japan could be involved, although Israeli defense officials remain uncertain whether this reflects a broader shift in US policy or is primarily intended as a strategic message toward China.
Israel is continuing to pursue additional F-35 and F-15 acquisitions, but the F-47 could represent a longer-term option for maintaining the IAF’s technological edge.
US media reports indicate that the F-47 is expected to conduct its first flights in 2028.
