WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump awarded Boeing a contract on Friday to build the U.S. Air Force’s next advanced fighter jet, named the F-47, under the Next Generation Air Dominance program. The jet will replace Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor and work with drones in combat. Trump announced the deal in the Oval Office, saying, “We’ve given an order for a lot,” but did not disclose the price.
Boeing’s shares jumped 5% after beating Lockheed Martin, whose shares dropped nearly 7%. The contract, valued at over $20 billion for development, could lead to orders worth hundreds of billions over decades. Trump noted interest from allies, hinting at potential foreign sales.
Boeing’s Steve Parker said the company made a major investment to secure the deal, boosting its St. Louis fighter jet operations. Lockheed, recently sidelined from a Navy jet project, faced further setbacks amid Pentagon frustration over F-35 delays.
