Pentagon Set to Award Next-Gen Fighter Jet Contract in $20 Billion Showdown
Sarah Johnson
March 21, 2025
Brief
The Pentagon is set to announce the winner of its $20 billion NGAD program, deciding between Lockheed Martin and Boeing for the Air Force’s next-generation fighter jet.
The Pentagon is gearing up to announce the winner of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program—a jaw-dropping $20 billion contract that could reshape the Air Force’s future. This decision could be made as soon as Friday, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The NGAD program aims to replace Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor with a cutting-edge fighter jet designed to work alongside drones. The competition for this monumental contract pits aerospace giants Lockheed Martin and Boeing against each other in a winner-take-all showdown. It's not just about bragging rights; the stakes are astronomical, with the victor securing hundreds of billions in lifetime orders.
The program is described as a "family of systems" centered around a sixth-generation fighter jet. Its primary goal? To ensure the United States maintains air dominance against adversaries like China and Russia. If that doesn’t sound like the plot of a high-stakes spy thriller, I don’t know what does.
Last year, NGAD faced turbulence with budget pressures and cost overruns threatening to derail the program. There were whispers of reconsidering fundamental design elements or even shifting resources to unmanned drone initiatives. But now, designs finalized last year are set to take flight—literally.
Boeing, which has faced challenges in both its commercial and defense sectors, desperately needs this win. A victory could revitalize its St. Louis fighter jet production operations, which are currently in need of a boost. Meanwhile, Lockheed is nursing wounds from losing out on the Navy's next-gen carrier-based stealth fighter contract. If Lockheed misses out on NGAD, expect them to pour their energy into their F-35 program and ramp up global sales of the F-16.
The decision also signals a firm commitment to advancing air dominance capabilities despite earlier concerns about shifting priorities. For now, all eyes are on the Pentagon to reveal who will steer the future of American air power.
Topics
Editor's Comments
Okay, let’s just pause on the fact that this is a $20 billion deal—minimum. The stakes are so high, you’d think it was a Hollywood blockbuster. The Pentagon is essentially choosing a company to become its BFF for decades, shaping the future of air combat. And honestly, Boeing could really use the win right now, but Lockheed losing two big contracts in a row? Yikes. It’s like a drama unfolding at 30,000 feet.
Like this article? Share it with your friends!
If you find this article interesting, feel free to share it with your friends!
Thank you for your support! Sharing is the greatest encouragement for us.
