US President Donald Trump announced the winner of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program in a statement from the White House. Trump announced that the next-generation fighter jet was named F-47 and that the aircraft would be produced by Boeing. This statement had a great impact in the defense industry world. Trump also announced in a press conference with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that the Pentagon would sign a fighter jet contract with Boeing worth approximately $20 billion.
F-47: The Most Advanced Fighter Aircraft
Trump noted in his statements that the F-47 will be “the most advanced, most capable, most lethal aircraft ever built.” This new-generation aircraft will replace the Lockheed Martin-made F-22 Raptor and will be capable of combating unmanned aerial vehicles. Trump stated that an experimental version of the F-47 has been secretly flying for almost five years and will greatly exceed the capabilities of other countries. He also emphasized that many of the aircraft’s features, from speed to maneuverability and payload capacity, are revolutionary. Trump announced that these aircraft could also be sold to allied countries, but that lower-spec versions would be offered.
NGAD Project and Boeing's Earnings
The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program is an initiative launched by the US Air Force for sixth-generation fighter jets, aiming to create a “family of systems” to replace the Lockheed Martin-made F-22 Raptor. In this context, the contract won by Boeing represents a major victory for the company, which has been struggling in both commercial and defense sectors. Boeing shares rose by 5% after Trump’s announcement, while Lockheed Martin shares fell by about 6%.
For Boeing, the contract provides a major boost to its fighter jet manufacturing business in St. Louis, Missouri. The contract is valued at $20 billion in engineering and manufacturing. This large contract also has the potential to significantly increase Boeing’s future revenue streams. Boeing expects to secure years of business in aircraft manufacturing and systems engineering, while also securing orders worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
NGAD Program Delays and Questions
However, it was stated that there were some problems in the NGAD program and the US Air Force had to reorganize the program in August 2024. The Air Force postponed the contract, which was expected to be signed at the end of 2024, to a later date and a new timeline was not announced. This situation created some questions about the future of the project. However, the contract signed with Boeing may clarify some questions about the future of the program. The signing of the contract also shows that the production process of the F-47 will start quickly and the foundations for the success of the project have been laid.
Boeing's Rise in Defense
This contract won by Boeing increases the company’s power in the defense field and is considered an important step in terms of the national security of the United States. The F-47 will be a system that will strengthen not only the air power of the United States but also the air superiority of its allies. Trump’s statements will strengthen Boeing’s competitiveness in the defense sector and will create an important reference point for the company’s future projects.
