Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Waves of injured and martyrs continue to arrive at Nasser Medical Complex following the horrific massacre near the aid distribution centers in Rafah.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: 30 martyrs and 120 wounded by Israeli fire while heading to a 'US aid distribution site' west of Rafah.
Araghchi to Grossi: These parties will bear responsibility for the consequences of their actions
Araghchi to Grossi: Iran will respond to any unlawful action by European countries or parties attempting to turn the Agency into a tool for achieving their objectives
Araghchi to Grossi: We urge the Agency to warn against the consequences of any political move against Iran
Araghchi to Grossi: We call on the Agency to highlight Iran’s full cooperation during the upcoming Board of Governors meeting next week
Araghchi to Grossi: We demand that the Agency reflect the facts in a manner that prevents certain parties from exploiting it to advance their political agendas
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds a phone call with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi
Trump envoy Witkoff has sent 'detailed and acceptable proposal' to Iran for nuclear deal; it's in their best interest to accept it: White House Press Secretary Leavitt
Hamas official says Witkoff's position toward group was 'unfair' and shows 'complete bias' to 'Israel'

Trump awards Boeing contract for advanced F-47 fighter jet

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Mar 2025 17:42
4 Min Read

The contract marks a significant turnaround for Boeing, which has faced challenges in both its commercial and defense sectors.

Listen
  • x
  • Trump, HegsethUS President Donald Trump speaks during an Education event and signs executive orders in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, March 20, 2025 (AFP) 

US President Donald Trump on Friday awarded Boeing the contract to manufacture the US Air Force’s most advanced fighter jet to date, the F-47, providing the company with a crucial victory amid its recent struggles.  

The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program will replace Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor with a crewed aircraft designed to operate alongside drones. The announcement comes amid concerns over budget constraints and shifting defense priorities.

Trump, the 47th US president, personally announced the jet's designation as the F-47.  

"We've given an order for a lot. We can't tell you the price," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

The contract marks a significant turnaround for Boeing, which has faced challenges in both its commercial and defense sectors. The deal delivers a major boost to its fighter jet production operations in St. Louis, Missouri.  

The engineering and manufacturing development contract is valued at more than $20 billion, with Boeing set to produce the aircraft and secure orders worth hundreds of billions of dollars over the contract’s multi-decade lifespan.  

The announcement comes as Trump continues efforts to cut government spending, though the scope and legality of these measures have been contested. On Thursday, he signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education.

Following the announcement, Boeing shares surged nearly 5%, while shares of rival Lockheed Martin, which lost the bid, fell nearly 7%.  

Related News

Iran warns against politicization of IAEA, during critical period

US Envoy calls Hamas ceasefire response 'totally unacceptable'

Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General David Allvin, highlighted the advantages of the new aircraft, stating, "Compared to the F-22, the F-47 will cost less and be more adaptable to future threats - and we will have more of the F-47s in our inventory."

Allvin further noted that the F-47 would feature a significantly extended range, enhanced stealth capabilities, and improved sustainability and supportability compared to the F-22.

NGAD was conceived as a "family of systems" centered around a sixth-generation fighter jet designed to counter near-peer adversaries like China and Russia. After a period of uncertainty regarding the program’s future, it has moved forward under the Trump administration, which took office in January.

Billionaire and presidential advisor Elon Musk has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of high-end crewed fighter jets, advocating instead for cheaper, unmanned drone alternatives.

Last year, the NGAD program faced potential delays and scope reductions due to budget pressures and cost overruns in other Air Force projects. However, Friday’s anticipated announcement signals that a finalized design, approved last year, will now be selected.

Lockheed Martin acknowledged the outcome in a statement, saying, "While disappointed with this outcome, we are confident we delivered a competitive solution."

"We will await further discussions with the US Air Force."

While Lockheed retains the option to contest the award, Trump's high-profile announcement of the deal may diminish the likelihood of a formal challenge from the Bethesda, Maryland-based defense contractor.

Lockheed Martin, having recently been eliminated from the competition for the Navy’s next-generation carrier-based stealth fighter, would likely double down on its F-35 program and the international sales of its F-16 jets after it failed to secure the NGAD contract.

  • United States
  • US
  • lockheed martin
  • Pete Hegseth
  • boeing
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
MIT bans class president who gave pro-Palestine speech
US & Canada

MIT bans class president over pro-Palestine speech

Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
Politics

Arab ministers condemn Israeli ban on planned West Bank visit

Major General Hu Gangfeng, Vice President, National Defense University, People's Liberation Army, China, leaves after a panel discussion during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

China blasts Hegseth, calls US top 'troublemaker' in Asia-Pacific

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: Reports
Technology

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: NBC News

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS