"After fierce competition between leading airlines, the Air Force has decided to award the contract to develop the New Generation Sky Master System (NGAD) to Boeing," Trump said at the White House on March 21 (local time).
The US president did not disclose the contract value or handover time of the first ones, but the media said the deal was worth at least 20 billion USD, not to mention hundreds of billions of USD in orders during the contract implementation period.
"Nothing in the world can compare to it, it will be called the F-47. The generals have chosen the name and it is a beautiful number," Trump said, stressing that the fighter model "is almost un locomotive and can do things that no other aircraft can do."
In the US, Independence Day, also known as the 4th of July, is a federal holiday to commemorate the Declaration of Independence signed in 1776.
The NGAD program aims to develop 6 generation weapons systems, including unmanned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), focusing on long-range stealth fighters with the code "Purple Air Defense Agency" (PCA). This project will help replace the F-22 stealth fighter, which has been in operation for more than 20 years, with a more advanced fighter, which can combine with support UAVs.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed that the F-47 will send a clear message that Washington will not leave its allies. "As for opponents, it shows that we have enough capacity to demonstrate our strength globally without being hindered for many generations to come," he said.
Boeing Group said it was chosen thanks to its experience and long-standing achievements in the field of fighter jets, and affirmed that it will establish a new global standard for generation 6 capabilities.
This is considered an important victory for Boeing in the context of the airline facing many difficulties due to prolonged strikes and concerns about safety after a number of accidents related to the group's products.
The NGAD program was suspended in 2024 due to cost concerns. This is the most expensive project in the air force's research and development budget.
The 2018 National Assembly Budget Office estimated that the factory price of each NGAD fighter could reach up to 300 million USD, much higher than other aircraft currently serving in the military.
General Joseph Kunkel, a senior air force officer, said the force had studied a variety of options and concluded that NGAD was the optimal choice to maintain a superior air advantage in today's fiercely competitive environment.
Meanwhile, Boeing is also competing with Northrop Grumman for a contract to develop a new-generation fighter jet for the Navy.
