F‑47 fighter jet faces hurdles: High cost and export concerns
Former United States Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall believes that allies may not be interested in the F-47 fighter jet. However, the jet's capabilities might not deter potential buyers of this new air superiority aircraft; instead, it is its price and Donald Trump's controversial statements.
The American president personally revealed the name F-47. The aircraft is classified as a 6th-generation fighter jet and is being promoted as a breakthrough, similar to the impact of the F-22 Raptor at its debut.
The F-47 will be very expensive
Frank Kendall highlights issues that may prevent the F-47 from gaining recognition in other countries. Although its exact price has not been determined yet, preliminary estimates suggest it could reach as much as $300 million. Ultimately, it will most likely be lower, but still significantly higher than the price of the F-35, which is currently estimated to cost around $87 million per unit.
"I would be very surprised if our, any of our partners, were prepared to pay that unit cost for a new aircraft," said Frank Kendall.
The export version of the F-47 is expected to be inferior
Another issue, already evident, is the statement from Donald Trump, who claimed that the export version of the F-47 will have reduced capabilities (estimated at "around 10%").
Additionally, in recent weeks, the American president has intensified his rhetoric towards many countries, including those considered long-time allies of the United States. This has raised doubts about purchasing the F-35, including in Canada and Portugal.
Frank Kendall also pointed out that the U.S.'s position toward its allies is prompting many of them to reevaluate how closely they cooperate, how actively they engage, and how much they rely on American-made equipment.
Boeing will build the F-47. The fighter jet is expected to provide better stealth characteristics and greater range than 5th-generation machines. The concept also involves excellent cooperation with unmanned aerial vehicles and achieving speeds over Mach 2 (approximately 1,520 mph).
