Boeing was the biggest winner from Friday’s announcement that it won a contract to produce a secretive new fighter jet, but the White House made sure Donald Trump’s legacy notched a win, too.
Trump revealed the Air Force’s next-generation jet would be called the F-47—a not-so-subtle nod to his current administration being the 47th in the nation’s history.
Trump said the F-47, which is being produced with a potential Chinese conflict in mind, will have stealth and penetration capabilities that far exceed those of the Air Force’s current fleet.
“It’s virtually unseeable,” Trump said, adding that it has “unprecedented power, the most power of any jet of its kind ever made.”
The president continued: “America’s enemies will never see it coming. Hopefully we won’t have to use it for that purpose, but you have to have it, and if it ever happens, they won’t know what the hell hit them.”
Trump made the announcement from the Oval Office with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at his side. Hegseth claimed the new jet will ensure America’s air dominance for future generations.
“America is going to have generations in the future of air dominance because of this sixth generation fighter,” Hegseth declared, adding that this “sends a very direct, clear message to our allies, that we’re not going anywhere, and to our enemies, that we will be able to project power around the globe unimpeded for generations to come.”
The new aircraft will be manned, like its predecessors, and 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 Associated Press reported.
Trump joked the jet’s build is so secretive, the military decided against showing a clear photo of it at Friday’s announcement. Instead, a poster board offered a glimpse at its cockpit and landing gear.
Critics have questioned whether such a program is necessary as the Pentagon is still struggling to fully produce its current most-advanced jet, the F-35, reported the AP. Trump said the new program will cost taxpayers $20 billion, but the F-35 has cost over $1.7 trillion in taxpayer money over its lifespan.
