Earlier this week, new images emerged that appear to reveal what could become the new patch for the System Management Office (SMO) of the U.S. Air Force’s sixth-generation F-47 fighter. At the center of the design is a prominent “Phoenix,” accompanied by the Latin motto “Superamus Perstamus Letamus” (basic translation: “We overcome, we endure, we rejoice”). While still unofficial—and, according to the service, in the process of refinement—the patch has fueled speculation that the Phoenix may be chosen as the aircraft’s future nickname.
Asked whether the patch was authentic, the U.S. Air Force confirmed to The Warzone: “The patch is an initial design concept generated in the F-47 System Management Office of Air Combat Command. It is still in development, and there is currently no official patch being used by the Air Force.” The outlet further noted that the motto has appeared in earlier insignias tied to the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, even prior to Boeing’s selection of the F-47 design. One such case was the emblem of the Agile Development Office created in 2019.
Breaking down the patch further, it is also possible to observe that it features six red stars, which, according to the cited report, usually refer to the highly secretive Groom Lake flight test center located in the state of Nevada, widely known as Area 51. In particular, this could allude to the fact that both Boeing and Lockheed Martin presented their secret demonstrators at that site as part of the original initiatives coordinated by DARPA, which later evolved into the NGAD program.
Another element is a white, wavy line on the patch’s right side, speculated to resemble the Chinese coastline. Observers suggest this symbolizes the F-47’s role as a future air superiority platform designed with high-end conflict against the People’s Republic of China in mind.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix itself could be considered a reference to the resurgence of the F-47 program given its background during 2024, when there was talk of a potential cancellation of the project due to rising associated costs. As we reported in September 2024, the intention of the U.S. Air Force was to reduce the unit price of each aircraft to the level of an F-35 fighter or even lower, as announced by the then Secretary of the institution, Frank Kendall. In April of this same year, it was Kendall himself who questioned the new administration of Donald Trump for committing to the program in what he considered a rushed manner, since it will require a significant allocation of resources.
However, there are also those who claim that the nickname Phoenix may not ultimately be used for the F-47 fighter, considering that “Phoenix II” has been chosen to refer to the future fleet of E-130J aircraft that will equip the U.S. Armed Forces. Specifically, these aircraft will perform the so-called Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission, becoming the future backbone for communications between the US Navy’s ballistic missile submarines and the U.S. Strategic Command—a task currently carried out by E-6B Mercury aircraft.
Regardless of these matters, it is certain that the U.S. Air Force has already confirmed that its future sixth-generation fighter has entered its production phase, with plans to have aircraft ready to fly by 2028. This update was revealed by the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), General David W. Allvin, during a new edition of the Air, Space, and Cyber Conference of the AFA. Quoting his own words: “It is the platform that, together with the rest of the systems, will ensure future dominance. We have to move fast. I must tell you, team, it’s almost 2026. The team is committed to getting the first aircraft operational in 2028.”
Images used for illustration purposes only
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