U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Air Force Chief Gen. David Allvin, announced Boeing’s F-47 as the winning design for the U.S. Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) manned fighter contract. The selection follows months of budget uncertainties and a detailed program review.
“An experimental version of the plane has secretly been flying for almost five years, and we’re confident that it massively overpowers the capabilities of any other nation,” Trump stated while introducing the F-47. He also hinted at possible toned-down versions for U.S. allies.
The contract, worth at least $20 billion, was contested between Boeing and Lockheed Martin’s Phantom Works and Skunk Works divisions. The NGAD fighters are expected to cost around $300 million each, with total program spending potentially reaching hundreds of billions over its lifetime.
The Air Force’s final decision was initially set for late 2024 under former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall but was deferred to the new administration for further analysis. Gen. Allvin reinforced the importance of the NGAD program, emphasizing the need for a “high-end penetrating capability” to maintain U.S. air superiority.
Trump’s announcement included two images of the F-47, which some speculate is named in reference to him being the 47th U.S. president. A statement from Gen. Allvin highlighted the aircraft’s technological advancements, cost efficiency, and adaptability compared to existing fighters like the F-22. The F-47 boasts enhanced stealth, greater range, and higher operational availability.
NGAD is the Air Force’s most expensive research and development program, with a proposed $19.6 billion budget over the next five years. However, congressional proposals for 2025 include a $325 million funding cut.
The NGAD program originated from a 2016 Air Force study on “Air Superiority 2030.” It gained public attention in 2020 when Dr. Will Roper revealed that an experimental full-scale prototype had already flown. The initiative focused on rapid development cycles, modular designs, and digital engineering, allowing frequent fighter upgrades without costly service life extensions.
Amid rising costs and shifting priorities, the program underwent a strategic pause in 2024 to reassess operational requirements, including integration with autonomous systems like Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The review concluded in December, affirming the necessity of a manned next-generation fighter while considering future unmanned capabilities.
With Trump’s approval, Boeing’s F-47 is now set to enter production, with expectations that it will fly before the end of his administration.