After a long period of time in which it looked as if the “Trump II” administration, which was intent on radical streamlining, might overturn the multi-billion euro project, the USA has now decided to develop an NGAD – a “Next Generation Air Dominance” fighter – after all.
For aviation insiders, the announcement is a kind of moon landing. On Friday at 5 p.m. CET, US President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin not only announced that there will be a successor to the F-22A, which was discontinued in 2009 after only 183 were built – but also who will build it: Boeing. The new jet will be called the F-47.
Speculation was not long in coming: does the number 47 stand for the planned FOC deployment in 2047 – the 100th anniversary of the independent US Air Force (-> current news about the US armed forces)? Or is it rather a subtle reference to the 47th President of the USA?
Secret for years – now revealed
During the time of USAF Chief of Procurement Will Roper, the USA is said to have already flown a corresponding demonstrator. demonstrator had already been flown. In 2020 he said: “NGAD has come so far that the full-scale flight demonstrator has already flown in the physical world. It’s broken a lot of records in the doing.” Since then, flight tests have been suspected somewhere in the southwest of the USA – Area 51.
The only other companies in the race for the construction contract were Lockheed Martin and Boeing after Northrop Grumman withdrew – in favor of the Navy stealth fighter F/A-XX. Northrop had already been awarded the contract for the B-21 Raider bomber. Several examples of this first 6th generation fighter aircraft in the world are already flying.
As far as the NGAD is concerned, we currently know very little: no vertical control surfaces, as with the GCAP and FCAS. Whether single or two-seater, optionally unmanned, with how many engines (presumably with adaptive variable cycle engines), what dimensions, what weapons – much remains secret. Likewise, whether high-energy weapons are planned.
If Defense Minister Hegseth has his way, the USA will be making a big splash with the new jet. “Mr. President, today is a great day for our country. A great day for the world. The F-47 sends a very direct, clear message to our allies that we are not going away. And to our enemies that we will be able to project power around the world unimpeded. This is a historic investment in the American military, in American industry, that will help reinvigorate the warrior ethos in our military.”
Approval also came from General Allvin: “You know, air superiority is not a birthright, it has to be earned hard every single day. Since the earliest days of air warfare, brave American airmen have jumped in their planes, soared, and cleared the skies. With the F-47 as the crown jewel of the next generation of air superiority systems, we will be able to deliver on that promise far into the future.”
China as the trigger?
A possible trigger for the revelation: Sightings of two Chinese 6th generation prototypes at the same time on December 26, 2024.
Presidential advisor Elon Musk was shocked by this – and publicly demanded more speed from the US NGAD.
It seems that the briefing on March 12 – at which General Allvin explained the type selection to President Trump – then quickly led to today’s announcement. In any case, the upcoming budget request for the 2026 fiscal year was also addressed – probably with a further boost for the NGAD program, which is likely to cost hundreds of billions by the start of production in 2033/35 and then over the life cycle. So far, around eight billion euros have been spent on this and almost 27 billion euros have been requested for the current financial year.
Trump gives the green light – Boeing breathes a sigh of relief
It had been known since March 3 that the Air Force had completed its extended requirements and had already decided internally in favor of Boeing. Linked to this: Political backing from Trump, who was apparently quickly persuaded. The reasoning: the 6th generation fighter jet is urgently needed – for possible scenarios in the Indo-Pacific, together with “collaborative” Wingman drones.
General Allvin recently put it in a nutshell at the Air Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado: “I want to give the President as many options as possible in these dangerous and dynamic times. But that means we have to continue to modernize. Yes, the NGAD must come.”
This summer, the two CCA prototypes – XFQ-42A from General Atomics and XFAQ-44A from Anduril – are expected to deliver important findings this summer.
Boeing’s comeback
For Boeing, winning the contract is a much-needed relief. This is because production of the Super Hornet III is coming to an end, and only the small series of the F-15EX remains. At the same time, the company is struggling with quality problems with the KC-46A tanker and massive delays with the 777X airliner. Not to mention the debacle surrounding the Starliner space capsule.
Lockheed Martin, on the other hand, which will probably be involved with the F-35 for years to come, could reappear as a subcontractor in the NGAD program.
Conclusion: The beginning of a new era
The new F-47 will be analyzed, observed and discussed for decades to come – just like its European and Chinese counterparts. Colleagues such as Ward Carroll (ex F-14 RIO) and Stephen Trimble have already begun to do so.
Here for more news about Boeing and here for more news about the US armed forces.
