President Trump has now formally announced that Boeing will construct the U.S. Air Force’s new generation of fighter jets, designated the F-47.
During a press briefing in the Oval Office, Trump asserted that the F-47 will possess “unprecedented power,” adding that “America’s enemies will never see [them] coming.”
The F-47, part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, represents the latest advancement in high-performance military aircraft, though specific details regarding its capabilities and design remain largely undisclosed.
Trump hinted that the sixth-generation jet would be “virtually unseeable” on radar.
While precise financial details surrounding the contract are not yet available, preliminary estimates indicate that development costs could surpass $20 billion, with the final expenses possibly reaching into the hundreds of billions.
“We’ve given an order for a lot. We can’t tell you the price,” Trump remarked, underscoring the significance of the announcement for Boeing.
This development marks a pivotal moment for Boeing, which has faced numerous challenges and setbacks in recent years, including public relations crises linked to the 737 Max crashes and issues with the KC-46 refueling tanker program.
Following Trump’s announcement, Boeing’s stock experienced a boost of approximately 5%, while shares of its primary competitor, Lockheed Martin, declined nearly 7%.
Lockheed Martin manufactures the F-35 jet, which currently serves as the backbone of the Air Force’s combat aircraft but has faced criticism for being overly complex.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the introduction of the F-47 will reaffirm America’s leadership in military aviation and signal a strong commitment to its allies.
The manufacturing of the F-47 will take place at Boeing’s facilities in St. Louis, aiming to enhance the U.S. defense capability considerably.
[READ MORE: Trump Strips Security Clearances From Hillary and Joe Biden]
