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President Trump has touted the F-47 as a revolutionary aircraft.
President Trump has stated that Boeing has been awarded the contract to manufacture the Air Force’s next-generation fighter jet.
Trump announced that the advanced aircraft will be called the F-47 during a Friday announcement at the Oval Office.
“I have directed the US Air Force to proceed with the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet, a generation ahead of anything else,” he stated.
According to the president, the jet has been in development “for quite some time” and “will be the most deadly aircraft ever created.”
The program, previously known as Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD), had a full-scale prototype of the jet flown during Trump’s earlier term in office, according to the Air Force.
Trump explained that the F-47 “operates in conjunction with multiple drones. It uses a new technology to coordinate with as many drones as desired, a capability unmatched by any other aircraft.”
“Following a competitive selection process involving leading American aerospace firms, the Air Force will award the contract for the next-generation air dominance platform to Boeing,” he declared.
Boeing won the contract over Lockheed Martin. Following the announcement, Boeing’s stock value increased by 5%, while Lockheed’s decreased by nearly 7%.
The F-47 is planned to replace the Lockheed-produced F-22 Raptor, a manned aircraft intended to fight alongside drones.
Trump said, “We have placed a significant order for the F-47s, but we cannot disclose the cost.”
Earlier this month, Reuters reported that Lockheed Martin was also excluded from the competition to develop the US Navy’s next-generation carrier-based stealth fighter jet due to the Pentagon’s dissatisfaction with delays in upgrading its F-35s.
Boeing has faced scrutiny recently due to discovered flaws in its aircraft, which have raised safety concerns and prompted investigations. The company’s defense and space projects have been plagued by repeated cost overruns and delays. It has also experienced a lengthy workers’ strike over wage demands.
Last month, Trump criticized Boeing for cost overruns and delays in producing the next presidential aircraft. He commented, “We are getting a new Air Force One, if Boeing can ever complete it.”
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