**Editor’s Note:** This is a developing story.
The Pentagon has awarded the much-anticipated contract for the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) future fighter jet, designated the F-47, to Boeing. President Donald Trump made the announcement on Friday.
The F-47 is a sixth-generation fighter jet set to replace the F-22 Raptor. Trump highlighted that it will feature “state-of-the-art stealth technologies” that will make it “virtually unseeable” and will operate alongside autonomous drone wingmen referred to as collaborative combat aircraft.
In an Oval Office announcement featuring Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, and Lt. Gen. Dale White, the Air Force’s military deputy for acquisition, technology, and logistics, Trump stated, “In terms of all the attributes of a fighter jet, there’s never been anything even close to it, from speed to maneuverability to what it can have [as] payload.” He added that this aircraft has been in development for a long time, asserting that “America’s enemies will never see it coming.”
The competition for the NGAD contract was primarily between Boeing and Lockheed Martin, as Northrop Grumman opted not to pursue the opportunity as a prime contractor in 2023. A statement from Boeing was not immediately available following the announcement.
Gen. Allvin also noted that experimental versions of the NGAD have been flying for the last five years, logging hundreds of flight hours and testing advanced concepts to ensure the viability of cutting-edge technology. He mentioned that due to significant advancements and the maturity of the F-47, the service expects the jet to be operational by the end of Trump’s administration.
Allvin further explained that the F-47 boasts unprecedented maturity compared to the F-22, which is currently the leading air superiority fighter. He indicated that while the F-22 will continue to be modernized, the F-47 represents a generational shift in capabilities. The new fighter jet is expected to cost less than the F-22 and be more adaptable to emerging threats, with the Air Force intending to operate more NGAD fighters than F-22s. Currently, the Air Force operates around 180 F-22s, each costing approximately $143 million.
Trump refrained from disclosing the cost of the NGAD, citing the need to protect details about its classified technologies and size. Historically, the cost of the program has raised concerns, with former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall pausing the program in July 2024 due to estimates that suggested a price tag up to $300 million per jet, which was significantly higher than that of the F-35.
Additionally, Trump indicated the possibility of selling versions of the NGAD to allied nations, although he mentioned these versions might be “toned-down” for export due to potential future alliances changing dynamics, stating, “Because someday, maybe they’re not our allies, right?”
**About the Author:** Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He has covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, with a focus on special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has extensive experience, including reporting on U.S. Air Force operations in the Middle East.
