President Trump has declared that Boeing will be responsible for producing the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation fighter jet.
“They will have unprecedented power,” Trump stated on Friday, emphasizing that “America’s enemies will never see [them] coming.”
As the 47th president of the United States, Trump revealed that the jet will be named the F-47.
“The generals picked a title, and it’s a beautiful number,” he told reporters in the Oval Office. “Nothing in the world comes even close to it.”
Introducing the F-47: America’s Next Dominant Fighter Jet
Referred to as the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, the F-47 is set to continue the Air Force’s legacy of high-performance aircraft.
However, specifics regarding its design, capabilities, and appearance remain largely unknown. Trump hinted that the sixth-generation fighter would be “virtually unseeable” on radar.
While the exact cost of the contract remains undisclosed, early estimates suggest development expenses will exceed $20 billion, according to The Associated Press. The War Zone has reported that the total cost could ultimately reach into the hundreds of billions.
“We’ve given an order for a lot. We can’t tell you the price,” Trump said.
Next Generation Jet F-47
Boeing Secures a Major Victory Amid Ongoing Struggles
The announcement marks a significant win for Boeing, a company that has faced a series of setbacks and public relations crises in recent years.
Boeing has been working to rebuild its reputation following the 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, a 2024 door plug blowout, and persistent issues with its KC-46 refueling tanker program.
The F-47 will be manufactured at Boeing’s production facility in St. Louis, according to St. Louis Public Radio.
Market Impact and Industry Reactions
Boeing’s stock surged by approximately 5% on Friday following Trump’s announcement, while its chief competitor, Lockheed Martin, experienced a nearly 7% decline in shares.
Lockheed Martin, which produces the F-35, currently supplies the backbone of the Air Force’s air combat fleet. However, the F-35 program has faced criticism—particularly from Trump ally Elon Musk, who has described the aircraft as an “expensive & complex jack of all trades, master of none.”
Musk has advocated for the U.S. Department of Defense to prioritize drone technology over stealth fighters.
Defense Secretary Hegseth: The F-47 is a Message to the World
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth affirmed that the new fighter jet underscores America’s commitment to maintaining global leadership in military aviation.
“The new warplanes,” he stated, “send a very clear, direct message to our allies that we’re not going anywhere.”
