The U.S. Air Force is looking to move quickly to construct the Boeing F-47’s operational test base at Nellis AFB, Nevada. The facility targets a phased production approach that will foresee the site up and running by spring 2031. This project comes in as the US seeks to maintain air superiority globally, with the country setting up aviation infrastructure amid competition from countries like China and Russia.
When Was the Facility’s Plan Unveiled?
The service on Oct. 23 released a draft proposal for the “F-47 Future Campus” at Nellis. The campus will be a $1.057 billion construction project for the new fighter. Additionally, the progressive design build approach aims to stand up the most critical parts of the site first.
Key Timelines to Note
As outlined in the draft solicitation, the Air Force hopes to award a so-called other transaction agreement to one to four vendors by February 2027. This would commence a design preconstruction phase through that November, and rapid construction to start that month and end in March 2031.
Design Preconstruction Phase: What it Entails
This phase involves a 116,745 ft.2 operations and maintenance hangar. Also, it entails a 39,200 ft.2 reprogramming lab, a 40,903 ft.2 simulator facility and a 1.154 million ft.2 apron with sunshades. These will be all located on the base’s east side.
What’s Next After the Design Preconstruction Phase?
A subsequent phase, to run through 2032, will follow. Its includes a fuel cell hangar, a low observable corrosion control hangar, and a weapons load training hangar. Moreover, it will include a consolidated maintenance facility, a maintenance training facility and a dining facility.
The solicitation confirms operational test for the F-47 will be at the Nevada base. Also, the base hosts the combined developmental and operational test of the Boeing F-15EX.
In August, the Department of the Interior awarded Versar Inc. A $1.9 million contract to develop an environmental impact statement for the Next Generation Air Dominance Program, a contract notice that has since been updated to specify the site is Nellis.
While Nellis is the site of test, the Air Force has not clarified how it will operationally base the aircraft. However, there appears to be hints in a recently produced report to Congress on the Air Force’s fighter fleet through 2035. A section of the report states the service’s planned missions for its active-duty fighter squadrons.
F-47 to Replace F-22 Fleet
While the F-47 is expected to replace the current F-22 fleet, only two of the squadrons are specified to transition within the time frame. Furthermore, according to the report, both the 90th Fighter Squadron and the 525th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, have a transition mission to be determined. The Air Force’s other F-22 squadrons at JB Langley-Eustis, Virginia, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, will keep the F-22 mission, the report says.
When Will the F-47 Start Flying?
The Air Force announced the F-47 award to Boeing last year. Also, the Air Force said it expects the aircraft to begin flying by the end of President Donald Trump’s current term and start operations in the 2030s.
Factsheet: F-47 Future Campus Project
Project Timeline and Acquisition Schedule
Solicitation / Vendor Selection: Awarding OTA to 1–4 vendors by February 2027
Design Preconstruction Phase: February 2027 – November 2027
Construction Phase 1 (Rapid Start): November 2027 – March 2031 *(Operational Target: Spring 2031)
Construction Phase 2: March 2031 – 2032
Infrastructure and Facility Scope
Phase 1: Core Test & Operations (Target: March 2031)
Operations and Maintenance Hangar: 116,745 sq. ft.
Reprogramming Lab: 39,200 sq. ft.
Simulator Facility: 40,903 sq. ft.
Aircraft Apron and Sunshades: 1,154,000 sq. ft. (East side of base)
Phase 2: Support & Maintenance Infrastructure (Target: 2032)
Fuel Cell Hangar
Low Observable (Stealth) Corrosion Control Hangar
Weapons Load Training Hangar
Consolidated Maintenance Facility
Maintenance Training Facility
Dining Facility
Key Base and Fleet Context
Location: Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada (East Side)
Primary Mission: Operational Testing for the F-47 (joining existing F-15EX test missions)
Environmental Review: Versar Inc. awarded $1.9M EIS contract for NGAD/Nellis footprint
Candidate Operational Squadrons:
Under Evaluation for F-47 Transition: 90th & 525th Fighter Squadrons (JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska)
Retaining F-22 Mission: JB Langley-Eustis (VA) and JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam (HI)
Deployment Horizon: First flights projected late 2020s; operational rollout starting in the 2030s.
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