On March 21, President Trump announced thatBoeinghas been awarded the contract to develop the next fighter jet for the U.S. Air Force. According to the Pentagon, the new aircraft will feature next-gen stealth and penetrationcapabilities.
Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD)
Boeing’s NGAD manned fighter jet is a 6th-generationaircraft designedto be a central component of the broader NGAD Family of Systems. It will have more advanced stealth, lethality, and long-range capabilities than any current U.S. fighter.
The number of NGAD jets to be produced hasn’t been disclosed, but more will be built than the F-22s currently in service (around 180). The Air Force named the aircraft the F-47, paying tribute to the WWII-era P-47 Thunderbolt and the founding year of the U.S. Air Force.
Contract Details
Not many other details have been made available about the F-47, which will add to Boeing’s longhistoryof producing elite combat aircraft, like the F-15, F/A-18, and EA-18G Growler.
Boeing has made its largest-ever investment in defense technology to ensure the success of the NGAD program. The initial contract is valued at $20 billion, but the full program will likely cost hundreds of billions over its lifetime.
Criticisms
Critics have already questioned the necessity of NGAD, especially as the F-35 program—already costing over $1.7 trillion—is still facing challenges.
In addition, the B-21 Raider stealth bomber currently in development will feature similar advanced technologies, leaving experts wondering whether another manned fighter jet is the best investment for future conflicts.
NGAD Military Fighter Jets
The Air Force has high hopes for this new NGAD fighter, which is set to become the backbone of its future air combat strategy, and an essential part of any potential conflict with China.
Meanwhile, a separateNavy contractfor its own version of NGAD is still up for competition.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Joris van Boven
