WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump, alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, announced Friday from the Oval Office that the U.S. Air Force is moving forward with the production of the F-47, a next-generation military fighter jet.
Trump revealed that the sixth-generation aircraft has been undergoing secret test flights over the past five years and is now ready for deployment. Boeing secured the contract for the F-47’s development, edging out Lockheed Martin in a competitive bid. The new jet will feature a human pilot but is designed to operate in coordination with drones, marking a significant leap in aerial combat technology.
“The F-47 will be the most advanced, most capable, most lethal aircraft ever built,” Trump stated. “We’re confident that it massively overpowers the capabilities of any other nation. … This is next-level.”
Equipped with state-of-the-art stealth technology, Trump emphasized that the F-47 is “virtually unseeable,” making it a formidable asset in modern warfare.
The F-47 is set to replace the F-22 Raptor, the first fifth-generation fighter jet, according to Business Insider. The aircraft is expected to be fully operational in the 2030s, with experts estimating the cost of the program could exceed $50 billion, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Secretary Hegseth underscored the jet’s strategic significance, calling it a “clear message” to adversaries and a guarantee of America’s continued air dominance.
“This is a big day for our warfighters. This is a big day for our country, a big day in the world,” Hegseth said. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, America will maintain air superiority for generations to come.”
Hegseth also took aim at the previous administration, stating that the Biden White House had “paused this program and was prepared to potentially scrap it.” He credited Trump for reviving the project, asserting that American military strength has been “reestablished” under his leadership.
With its cutting-edge capabilities and unmatched stealth, the F-47 is set to be a game-changer in U.S. military aviation, ensuring American dominance in the skies for decades to come.
