Known as Next Generation Air Dominance, or NGAD, the F-47 manned jet will serve as quarterback to a fleet of future drone aircraft designed to be able to penetrate the air defenses of China and any other potential foes. The initial contract to proceed with production on a version for the Air Force is worth an estimated $20 billion.
Trump announced the award at the White House with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth said the future fleet “sends a very clear, direct message to our allies that we’re not going anywhere.”
Few details of what the new NGAD fighter would look like have been public, although test versions are said to have been flown already. Renderings by both Lockheed Martin and Boeing have highlighted a flat, tail-less aircraft with a sharp nose.
A separate Navy contract for its version of the NGAD fighter is still under competition between Northrop Grumman and Boeing.
