Boeing has been awarded a $20 billion contract by the U.S. Air Force to develop the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, Boeing F-47—a sixth-generation jet designed to counter emerging threats from China and Russia.

This marks a major win for Boeing, especially as its F/A-18 production line nears closure, providing a lifeline for its St. Louis facility and strengthening its defense business amid recent financial challenges.

Boeing’s victory over Lockheed Martin in the NGAD competition marks a significant industry shift, ending Lockheed’s exclusive status as the prime contractor for stealth fighters in the West, including the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The NGAD fighter will feature advanced stealth, communications, and weapons capabilities. It will also operate alongside the Air Force’s upcoming Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)—a fleet of drone wingmen designed to complement manned aircrafts. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Anduril are currently competing for the CCA contract.

The program is expected to involve an initial order of 200 fighters, with each jet projected to cost hundreds of millions per unit. The U.S. Air Force plans to invest billions in NGAD development between FY 2025 and 2029, with more funding anticipated for production.