Even though it evokes the official F-47 illustrations, the version featured in RTX’s video is grounded in a conceptual design created by artist Rodrigo Avella.
A recently unveiled promotional clip from RTX, which owns engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, aims to back their proposal to provide engines for the F-47. The footage includes a striking depiction of an unnamed Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) concept. Although certain elements appear similar to the U.S. Air Force’s officially displayed F-47 visuals, the aircraft showcased in the video originates from a conceptual sketch created by designer Rodrigo Avella.
RTX, which was previously called Raytheon and is the parent firm of Pratt & Whitney, has published a new video showcasing computer-generated images of their XA103 concept. their YouTube channel On June 24, 2025, the video not only provides insights into the engine but also includes a short segment showcasing these engines operating within a computer-simulated airplane model.
The XA103 is an adaptive cycle engine design suggested by Pratt & Whitney for the U.S. Air Force's next generation fighter aircraft , pitted against General Electric's XA102. Currently, very little specific information about these engine designs is available, apart from expectations regarding their thrust output, which should range between 35,000 and 40,000 pounds of force. Both of these projects are categorized as follows: the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion, or NGAP, program .
The NGAD design
Definitely designed for stealth as a fighter, this plane prominently includes canards and lacks vertical stabilizers. Although the precise shape of the Boeing F-47, along with other Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) concepts, remains undisclosed, it has widely been speculated—and inferred from earlier depictions—that these new models will generally eschew tails.
However, the model featured in the video, as noted previously, is grounded in an imagined F/A-XX ( the Navy's own NGAD ) designed by artist Rodrigo Avella, which was initially unveiled in 2017. Recently, Avella shared additional images of this design online. his Instagram profile He acknowledges that his model was extensively utilized on YouTube and various websites following the reveal of the F-47. Indeed, even the The Air Force utilized his models. In earlier versions. Nonetheless, this model boasts several distinct design elements not seen in the official F-47 renderings, including the wing dihedral.
There has been significant speculation surrounding the official renderings provided by the U.S. Air Force for the Boeing F-47. seems to display the aircraft equipped with canard control surfaces It should be mentioned, however, that the renderings were apparently created and altered in a manner to hide the actual design elements of the type Therefore, the inclusion of canards in numerous depictions might be an intentional effort to shift attention toward an entirely misleading configuration.
As mentioned, it is highly likely that the F-47, as well as other NGAD proposals, include canards. Although many analyses, especially those concerning the Chinese J-20 While some argue that canards negatively impact an aircraft's radar cross-section, numerous methods have been developed to counteract these adverse effects. During the Joint Strike Fighter program’s development phase, various aircraft configurations, such as those with canard layouts, underwent evaluations to assess their properties. McDonnell Douglas X-36 , aimed at assessing the advantages of a tailless fighter configuration, featured prominently canard surfaces.
New designs emanating from China Additionally, demonstrate a design decision to omit vertical stabilizers, with certain images revealing new trailing-edge control surfaces presumably taking over their role. Importantly, however, these new designs do not feature canards.
Also without canards is the Edgewing GCAP , or Tempest, a collaborative project involving Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom, known as the German-French-Spanish FCAS Both of these European sixth-generation fighter concepts incorporate conventional tail control surfaces, indicating a potentially less sophisticated approach. However, this might result in a more cost-effective and seamless progression compared to existing aircraft models.
Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion
The XA102 and XA103 engines, as stated earlier, are under consideration to propel the crewed NGAD fighter, which has been identified as the Boeing F-47. These adaptive cycle engines feature a triple-stream design enabling alteration of their bypass ratio mid-flight—this adjustment can optimize for enhanced fuel economy with cooler operation or deliver peak thrust output along with increased electrical power generation.
Enhanced power production is crucial considering the likelihood of integrating directed energy weaponry and sophisticated electronic warfare systems into the F-47. Both companies are leveraging their XA100 and XA101 engine designs—originally conceived as possible replacements for the F-35—to build these advanced power sources.
During the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program, which featured competition between the YF-22 and YF-23 prototypes, adaptive cycle engines were also evaluated. In the end, however, the conventional Pratt & Whitney F119 engine was chosen to propel the victorious F-22 aircraft.
The critical design reviews for the XA102 and XA103 were conducted in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Ground tests followed by flight tests are anticipated to begin over the next few years. For these engines to meet the requirements of the proposed Boeing F-47, these evaluations must proceed swiftly. first flight by 2029 .
When the selected design reaches an adequate stage of development, it would be intriguing to see if it might drive upcoming unmanned vehicles operating alongside the F-47. While the exact number of engines for the F-47 remains uncertain, with most anticipating a dual-engine configuration, lightweight drones may instead use either the XA102 or XA103 engine as their sole propulsion source.
Since the F-47 is intended to operate alongside unmanned aircraft, referred to as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Sharing engine designs between the manned and unmanned components of a deployable force would prudently streamline necessary logistical and maintenance support.
Existing CCA designs are so large that such engines would be extremely excessive. YFQ-44A Fury For instance, it is anticipated to use a Williams FJ44 engine, which is typically employed in business jets. However, future CCAs might significantly increase in size and weight to carry heavier fuel loads and, more crucially, bigger armament capacities.
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