Trump suggests a change to the designation of the 6th generation F-47 fighter (Photo: U.S. Air Force)
President Donald Trump raised the possibility of changing the designation of the U.S. Air Force’s sixth-generation stealth fighter F-47.
During the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Sweden, Trump highlighted the F-47 as an example of the U.S. military having the “best equipment.”
Boeing is expected to build at least 185 F-47s, with the first units already in an operational state by the end of the decade. However, during his speech, Trump mentioned the possibility of changing the jet’s designation.
Why? “I don’t like it,” Trump said. “I’m going to take the 47 [out of the name]. I don’t know why they called it 47. We’re going to have to think about it. But if I don’t like it, I’ll take that 47 off.”
🇺🇸 President Trump on U.S. military equipment:
We have the best equipment.F-47… they say it’s the most devastating plane fighter jet ever. Who knows.
They called it 47. If I don’t like it, I’m going to take the 47 off it.
I wonder why they called it 47. We’ll have to think… pic.twitter.com/Tz1RJ4jPwP
— Visioner (@visionergeo) January 21, 2026
Previously, the U.S. Air Force explained the reason for the designation of its new stealth fighter. In addition to being a reference to the World War II piston-engine P-47 Thunderbolt fighter, the “47” in F-47 also refers to the year the U.S. Air Force was founded.
Until 1947, the U.S. Air Force was simply a branch of the U.S. Army. Furthermore, the designation F-47 is also a tribute to Trump, who is both the 45th and 47th president of the United States.
Last year, when the F-47 construction contract was announced, Trump even praised the designation. “The generals chose a title, and it’s a beautiful number,” Trump said during the televised unveiling of the F-47 at the White House.
It’s unclear what exactly changed to prompt Trump’s comments at the World Economic Forum. The website The War Zone reached out to the White House for clarification, but has not received a response as of yet.
Photo and video: U.S. Air Force / X @visionergeo. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
