Eyeing China threat, Trump announces Boeing wins contract for secretive future fighter jet
US President Donald Trump has announced Boeing will build the Air Force's future fighter jet, which the Pentagon says will have stealth and penetration capabilities that far exceed those of its current fleet and is essential in a potential conflict with China.
Known as Next Generation Air Dominance, or NGAD, the manned jet will serve as quarterback to a fleet of future drone aircraft designed to be able to penetrate the air defences of China and any other potential foes. The initial contract to proceed with production on a version for the Air Force is worth an estimated $US20 billion ($AU31 billion).
The 47th president, who announced the award at the White House with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force leadership, said with a grin that the new fighter would be named th...