Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
Boeing will spearhead development of the U.S. Air Force’s futuristic fighter and drone coordinator, the F-47, following a secretive competition and fits and starts within the service.
Why it matters: The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) effort is meant to succeed the F-22 and be a linchpin for collaborative combat aircraft (CCA).
- NGAD envisions sixth-generation fighters supported by sophisticated robotic wingmen, currently designed by Anduril Industries and General Atomics.
- The work is worth billions and billions of dollars.
- The win is a major reversal for Boeing, which suffered setbacks in the defense and commercial markets. It is also a blow to Lockheed Martin, the other competitor and maker of the high-profile F-35.
The latest: The selection was announced Friday in an Oval Office address made by President Trump. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended.
- Trump was flanked by an NGAD rendering.
Context: The Air Force recently briefed the president on the NGAD program, asking that it proceed, according to Air and Space Forces Magazine.
- “I’m convinced from the analysis that NGAD is necessary,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said in a Defense One interview published Thursday. “I have an opinion, and I’ll offer that to the senior leadership. I can see the difference that it makes.”
Catch up quick: Friday’s rollout comes months after Frank Kendall, the former Air Force secretary, publicly punted on a decision.
- The NGAD endeavor was also paused last summer amid questions of design and affordability.
- Cost projections per aircraft at one point sat around $300 million. That was too rich, according to Kendall, who expressed interest in an $80-100 million price tag.
What they’re saying: “This, plus CCA, plus whatever becomes of Replicator, I think, all need to be part of the same conversation,” Jerry McGinn, the executive director of the George Mason University Baroni Center for Government Contracting, told Axios.
Threat level: China at the end of last year unveiled three novel aircraft, including a fighter and an airborne early-warning and control plane with hallmark radome.
- The Pentagon in its annual report on Chinese firepower warned the People’s Liberation Army was beefing up “with the delivery of domestically built aircraft and a wide range” of drones.
- A U.S. war effort in the Indo-Pacific would require mass amounts airpower, both manned and unmanned.
What we’re watching: How the Navy now proceeds with it’s advanced fighter, dubbed F/A-XX.
- John Phelan, Trump’s pick for Navy secretary, told the Senate Armed Services Committee the in-development warplane offers “significant advancements in operational reach and capacity.”
Go deeper: Today’s wars show “air superiority matters,” says GE Aerospace’s Amy Gowder
