Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Anna Moneymaker
Topics: Politics, World News, Military, Donald Trump
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Politics, World News, Military, Donald Trump
President Trump has awarded Boeing a huge new contract as the aviation firm readies itself to build the air force's next fighter jet.
Yesterday (March 21), Trump announced that Boeing has won a $20 billion contract to build what's known as the Next Generation Air Dominance, or NGAD.
The multibillion dollar manned jet will serve as quarterback to a fleet of future drone aircrafts designed to be able to penetrate the air defences of China and any other potential foes.
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The news comes amid increased fears of World War 3 being on the horizon, with the likes of China, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea reportedly stockpiling nuclear weapons of late.
Trump announced the award at the White House with his Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and air force leadership, and said the new fighter jet would be named the F-47.
General David Allvin, chief of staff of the US Air Force, said: “We’re going to write the next generation of modern aerial warfare with this.”
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Meanwhile, Hegseth said the future fleet 'sends a very clear, direct 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'.
While the likes of Trump and Hegseth are excited about the new jet, critics have questioned the cost and the necessity of the programme as the Pentagon is still struggling to produce fully its current most advanced jet, the F-35, which is expected to cost taxpayers more than $1.7 trillion over its lifespan.
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As it stands, the F-35 is supposedly 'the most advanced fighter jet in the world'.
"The F-35 strengthens national security, enhances global partnerships and powers economic growth," its website brags.
"It is the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter aircraft in the world, giving pilots an advantage against any adversary and enabling them to execute their mission and come home safe."
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It adds: "As adversaries advance and legacy aircraft age, the F-35 is critical to maintaining air dominance for decades to come."
America is one of the 20 countries to have F-35 jets. Over 1,000 of them have been delivered, and there are 48 bases dotted across the globe.
Lockheed Martin is the primary contractor responsible for the F-35 program.