On Friday, President Donald Trump confirmed that Boeing has been selected to construct the future fighter jet for the Air Force. The Pentagon has indicated that this jet, known as the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD), will possess superior stealth and penetration capabilities compared to the current fleet and is considered essential for potential conflicts with nations such as China.
The NGAD, a manned aircraft, will serve as the lead for a fleet of future drone aircraft capable of breaching the air defenses of China and other adversaries. The initial production contract for the Air Force is valued at approximately $20 billion.
The announcement was made at the White House with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force leadership present, where Trump revealed that the new fighter will be named the F-47. General David Allvin, the Air Force chief of staff, expressed that this marks the beginning of a new era in modern aerial warfare. Secretary Hegseth noted that the upcoming fleet is a strong signal to allies of the U.S.’s continued global presence.
Despite the announcement, there are critics who question both the cost and the necessity of this program. The Pentagon is currently facing challenges in fully producing its most advanced jet, the F-35, which is anticipated to have a life-cycle cost exceeding $1.7 trillion. Moreover, many cutting-edge technologies present in the NGAD are also featured in the Pentagon’s B-21 Raider stealth bomber.
To date, over 1,100 F-35 jets have been produced for the U.S. and international partners. Additionally, a fleet of approximately 100 future B-21 stealth bombers is planned, with an estimated total cost of at least $130 billion, and the initial models are undergoing test flights.
Military procurement analyst Dan Grazier raised concerns about the focus on another advanced manned fighter jet amidst evolving drone and space warfare, particularly in the context of potential conflict with China. Grazier, who is the director at the Stimson Center, remarked that the $20 billion is just the initial investment, and the total expense is expected to reach hundreds of billions.
While specifics about the NGAD fighter’s appearance remain largely undisclosed, early versions have reportedly been undergoing testing over the past five years. Renderings from Lockheed Martin and Boeing depict a flat, tail-less aircraft with a sharp nose design.
Boeing’s selection came after an independent Air Force analysis determined it provided the “best overall value to the government,” despite facing pressure from Trump over cost overruns in other projects. The Air Force has not disclosed the number of F-47s to be manufactured, but General Allvin indicated it would surpass the current 180 F-22 fighter jets in service.
A separate contract for the Navy’s NGAD variant is still contested by Northrop Grumman and Boeing. Last year, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall under the Biden administration initiated a review to reassess the need for the NGAD, accounting for recent warfighting advancements. Conclusions from think tanks and academia reaffirmed the program’s necessity, prompting the final decision to be left to the Trump administration.
The NGAD is projected to offer unprecedented low observability and will feature an extended range, reducing the need for refueling compared to the F-35 and other jets. Additionally, plans include a future unmanned NGAD variant as the Pentagon advances AI technology for the aircraft.
