The United States Air Force has chosen Boeing to develop its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter jet, which will replace the F-22 Raptor. President Donald Trump announced the decision on Friday, confirming that the aircraft will be called the F-47. The jet will introduce advanced stealth features and fly alongside autonomous drone wingmen, marking a major upgrade in U.S. air combat capabilities.
The F-47, designed to strengthen U.S. air superiority, will feature “state-of-the-art stealth technologies [making it] virtually unseeable,” according to Trump. The aircraft will operate as part of a system that includes multiple collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), which are autonomous drones programmed to support the fighter during missions.
During the announcement in the Oval Office, Trump was joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, and Lt. Gen. Dale White, the Air Force’s deputy for acquisition, technology, and logistics. Trump described the new jet as “something the likes of which nobody has ever seen before,” highlighting its unmatched speed, maneuverability, and payload capacity. “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. And this has been in the works for a long period of time,” he said.
Allvin emphasized the jet’s impact on future warfare. He described the F-47 as “the most advanced, lethal and adaptable fighter ever developed,” adding that the Air Force is “not just building another fighter. We are shaping the future of warfare and putting our enemies on notice.”
Boeing’s Strategic Victory Over Lockheed Martin
Boeing secured the NGAD contract over Lockheed Martin, which had also submitted a bid. Northrop Grumman, another contender, withdrew from the competition in 2023. This contract boosts Boeing’s role in next-generation military aviation, building on its history of producing fighter jets for the U.S. military.
Steve Parker, Boeing’s interim president and CEO of Defense, Space & Security, expressed the company’s commitment to the project. “We recognize the importance of designing, building and delivering a 6th-generation fighter capability for the United States Air Force. In preparation for this mission, we made the most significant investment in the history of our defense business, and we are ready to provide the most advanced and innovative NGAD aircraft needed to support the mission,” he said.
Despite losing the bid, Lockheed Martin expressed confidence in its proposal. The company said it was “confident we delivered a competitive solution.”
Advanced Technology and Drone Wingmen
The F-47 will serve as the centerpiece of a broader system, which will include collaborative combat aircraft, advanced sensors, and next-generation weaponry. This interconnected network will allow the fighter to communicate with satellites and other military assets in real time, improving coordination and effectiveness.
The autonomous drone wingmen flying alongside the F-47 will perform various roles, including reconnaissance, strike operations, electronic warfare, and acting as decoys. The Air Force aims to keep these drones relatively affordable by equipping them with autonomous software.
Companies such as General Atomics and Anduril are developing their own CCA prototypes, the RFQ-42A and RFQ-44A, which will initially fly with the F-35 and F-47. The Air Force plans to expand the program with additional generations of drone wingmen.
The F-47 will also feature next-generation adaptive propulsion (NGAP), which will allow the engine to adjust its configuration for maximum efficiency and thrust based on combat needs. General Electric Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney are competing to supply the NGAP engines.
Boeing’s NGAD contract strengthens its position in the U.S. defense sector. With this deal, all three major American aerospace contractors—Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman—are now producing fifth- or sixth-generation stealth aircraft. Lockheed Martin manufactures the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, while Northrop Grumman is building the B-21 Raider, promoted as the world’s first sixth-generation stealth bomber.
