Next-gen air power: F-47, CCA and stealth drones
Key Questions
What is the F-47 fighter program?
The U.S. is accelerating development of the F-47 fighter alongside CCA combat drones in response to China's advancing J-36 and J-50 stealth aircraft programs.
What role could the Vectis stealth drone play?
Skunk Works has proposed the Vectis stealth drone to address range limitations of the F-47 in the Pacific theater by providing significantly larger combat radius.
Why is the U.S. advancing CCA combat drones?
CCA combat drones are being developed to complement next-generation fighters like the F-47 and maintain air superiority against peer competitors such as China.
How does China's J-36 and J-50 influence U.S. programs?
China's progress on the J-36 and J-50 stealth aircraft has prompted the U.S. to speed up its own next-gen air power initiatives including the F-47 and associated unmanned systems.
What is the strategic goal of these next-gen air programs?
The programs aim to enhance long-range strike, survivability, and autonomous operations in contested environments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
US accelerates F-47 fighter and CCA combat drones in response to China's J-36/J-50. Skunk Works Vectis stealth drone proposed to address F-47 range limitations in Pacific theater.