WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to personally unveil the Pentagon’s long-anticipated decision on the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter jet contract as early as Friday, according to sources briefed on the matter. The announcement will reveal which aerospace giant—Lockheed Martin or Boeing—has secured the initial $20 billion contract to develop and build the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation fighter jet, a project likely to evolve into a multi-decade program worth hundreds of billions.
Set to replace the F-22 Raptor, the NGAD program represents a monumental leap in U.S. air combat capabilities. It will consist of a sixth-generation manned aircraft designed to operate alongside autonomous drones as part of a broader “family of systems.” The futuristic fighter will feature stealth capabilities, advanced sensors, and cutting-edge propulsion systems, although the full design remains classified.
The announcement is expected to be made from the Oval Office at 11 a.m. (1500 GMT), alongside newly appointed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, according to a U.S. official familiar with the plan. Neither Boeing nor Lockheed Martin, nor the Air Force, responded to immediate requests for comment.
This contract award marks a pivotal moment for both competing firms. A win for Boeing would revitalize its troubled defense and aerospace division, especially its fighter jet production operations in St. Louis, Missouri, which have suffered amid recent setbacks in both commercial and military sectors. Conversely, a win for Lockheed Martin would solidify its dominance in high-end U.S. defense technology, complementing its production of the F-35 Lightning II and bolstering its portfolio after a recent loss in the Navy’s next-generation carrier-based fighter competition.
Despite ongoing debates over federal budget cuts and Trump’s broader government downsizing agenda—highlighted by an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education signed on Thursday—the administration appears committed to advancing high-priority defense initiatives like NGAD.
The NGAD program has been shaped to counter near-peer threats from adversaries like China and Russia, whose own fifth and sixth-generation aircraft development programs have accelerated. The U.S. Air Force envisions NGAD as a future-proof system that ensures air superiority well into the 21st century.
NGAD’s development has not been without challenges. The program previously faced potential delays and budget-related scope reductions due to overruns in other major Air Force programs. In addition, some within defense circles, including billionaire advisor Elon Musk, have questioned the viability of investing in manned aircraft over swarms of cheaper, AI-powered drones. Nevertheless, the NGAD program has steadily gained traction under the Trump administration since it assumed office in January.
Though neither company has disclosed details about their proposed NGAD designs, both are believed to have pushed technological boundaries to meet the Pentagon’s stringent requirements. The winner of the engineering and manufacturing development phase will set the foundation for serial production and a broader air dominance ecosystem likely to include advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare systems, and next-gen sensors.
Friday’s announcement may have strategic ripple effects beyond the contract itself. For Lockheed, a loss could push the company to further prioritize F-35 international sales and upgrades to its popular F-16 line. For Boeing, a win could signal a long-awaited resurgence in defense contracting, breathing new life into its ailing operations.
Ultimately, the NGAD contract is more than a business competition—it’s a statement of intent about how the United States intends to fight and win the wars of the future. With Trump personally delivering the announcement, the event will undoubtedly carry political, economic, and strategic weight as the U.S. races to maintain its edge in a rapidly evolving global air combat landscape.
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