On Friday, President Donald Trump revealed that Boeing will be tasked with building the Air Force’s next-generation fighter jet. The Pentagon asserts that this aircraft will have advanced stealth and penetration capabilities that significantly surpass those of the existing fleet, making it crucial for potential confrontations with China.
The aircraft, known as Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD), will act as a central command for a new fleet of drone aircraft intended to breach the air defenses of China and other potential adversaries. The initial contract for the production of the Air Force variant is estimated to be worth around $20 billion.
Trump made this announcement at the White House alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force officials, stating that the new fighter jet will be designated the F-47. Gen. David Allvin, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, remarked, “We’re going to write the next chapter of modern aerial warfare with this.”
Hegseth emphasized that the future fleet “sends a very clear, direct message to our allies that we’re not going anywhere.”
However, critics have raised concerns about the program’s cost and necessity, especially as the Pentagon continues to face challenges in fully producing its current leading jet, the F-35, which is projected to cost taxpayers over $1.7 trillion throughout its lifespan. Additionally, the forthcoming B-21 Raider stealth bomber will incorporate many of the same cutting-edge technologies in advanced materials, AI, propulsion, and stealth.
Over 1,100 F-35s have already been manufactured for the U.S. and several international partners.
A fleet of around 100 future B-21 stealth bombers, with an anticipated total cost of at least $130 billion, is also in the works, with the first B-21 aircraft currently undergoing test flights.
As drone and space warfare are likely to dominate any conflict with China, military procurement analyst Dan Grazier expresses doubt regarding the approach, questioning if “another exquisite manned fighter jet really is the right platform going forward.” Grazier, who directs the national security reform program at the Stimson Center, noted that the $20 billion allocated is merely “seed money,” with total costs potentially reaching into the hundreds of billions.
Details on the appearance of the new NGAD fighter remain scarce, although Trump mentioned that initial models have been undergoing test flights for the last five years. Renderings from both Lockheed Martin and Boeing depict a sleek, tail-less aircraft with a pointed nose.
A separate contract for the Navy’s version of the NGAD fighter is still under competition between Northrop Grumman and Boeing.
Last year, the Biden administration’s Air Force Secretary, Frank Kendall, ordered a pause on the NGAD initiative to assess whether the aircraft was still necessary or if modifications were needed to align with advancements in warfare over the past few years.
This review, conducted by think tanks and academic institutions, evaluated potential conflicts with China both with and without NGAD, ultimately concluding that the new fighter was indeed necessary. Kendall subsequently delegated the decision on which company would construct the fighter jet to the incoming Trump administration, according to a defense official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details of the decision-making process.
According to the official, NGAD will deliver “an entirely different level of low observability.” It will also boast a significantly greater range than the F-35 and other current fighter jets, which will reduce refueling needs. Plans are also in place for a future unmanned version of NGAD as the Pentagon continues to enhance the aircraft’s AI capabilities.
