Boeing, the storied American aerospace giant, is experiencing a dramatic turnaround in 2025, marked by sweeping successes in both its military and commercial divisions. After years of turbulence, the company now finds itself at the center of some of the world’s most significant aviation contracts—spanning from next-generation fighter jets for the U.S. Air Force to blockbuster commercial jet sales across multiple continents.
In March 2025, the scene was set in the Oval Office, where President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth unveiled a contract that would shape the future of U.S. air power. Boeing had been chosen to build the Air Force’s new sixth-generation fighter, designated the F-47—a name that both nods to Trump as the 47th president and pays homage to the legendary World War II-era P-47 Thunderbolt. According to the official announcement, at least 185 F-47s are slated for acquisition, replacing the aging fleet of Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors on a one-for-one basis beginning in the early 2030s.
The stakes are enormous. The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, under which the F-47 will be developed, carries an initial price tag of $20 billion. Yet, as reported by multiple outlets, that figure is expected to balloon over the course of the program’s life. For Boeing, this win is more than just a contract—it’s a lifeline and a vote of confidence as its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet production for the U.S. Navy winds down by 2028.
General David W. Allvin, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, delivered a keynote address at the Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference on September 22, 2025, offering both reassurance and urgency. "It’s the platform that, along with all of the rest of the systems, is going to ensure dominance into the future. We’ve got to go fast," Allvin told attendees, underscoring the need to outpace global rivals. He further revealed, "In the few short months since we made the announcement, they are already beginning to manufacture the first article. We’re ready to go fast. We have to go fast."
Allvin’s sense of urgency is not without reason. China, America’s chief strategic competitor in the skies, is reportedly developing its own sixth-generation fighter, tentatively referred to by analysts as the J-36. While Beijing has kept details close to the vest, videos of test flights have begun surfacing on social media, fueling speculation and concern among U.S. defense officials. Allvin didn’t mince words: "That just may not be good enough because the adversary is not taking a knee. … When the President asks tonight, next week, next year, next decade, ‘Can you still do that?’ We have to be able to say, ‘Hell yes we can.'"
The origins of NGAD stretch back over a decade. In 2014, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) launched the Air Dominance Initiative study, laying the groundwork for what would become the most ambitious U.S. fighter program since the F-22. The official launch of NGAD came in 2019, with a dedicated program office established to shepherd a portfolio of cutting-edge technologies aimed at maintaining U.S. air superiority. The Air Force has since confirmed that at least one prototype has already flown, though how it relates to the F-47 remains unclear.
The competition for the NGAD contract was fierce and closely watched. In May 2023, the Pentagon issued its solicitation for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase. Not long after, Northrop Grumman announced its exit from the running, choosing instead to focus on the B-21 Raider long-range bomber and the Navy’s own sixth-generation F/A-XX program. Lockheed Martin, for its part, was eliminated from the Navy’s F/A-XX program but has since promoted a high-tech, cost-effective variant of its F-35 Lightning II, incorporating sixth-generation features.
While Boeing’s defense wing makes headlines, its commercial division is also on a tear. On September 23, 2025, the White House announced a major breakthrough: Uzbekistan Airways had inked a deal to purchase 14 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with options for eight more. The $8 billion contract is expected to support 35,000 Boeing jobs, according to the administration. It’s a much-needed boost for Boeing’s workforce and a clear sign that the company is regaining altitude after a difficult period.
But Uzbekistan is just the beginning. U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue revealed on the same day that Boeing is close to finalizing a "huge" sale to China—the first of its kind since 2017. While details remain under wraps, Bloomberg reported in August that negotiations could involve as many as 500 aircraft, as China seeks to double its commercial fleet to nearly 10,000 planes over the next twenty years. The potential deal is massive, with the power to reshape Boeing’s global footprint and restore its status as a dominant force in international aviation.
Boeing’s commercial resurgence is not limited to Asia. The Biden administration has played a pivotal role in helping the company secure sales in Qatar and Indonesia this year, and talks with Turkey are reportedly underway. It’s the kind of international support that has helped Boeing weather its recent storms—and, as industry insiders note, it’s a sign that U.S. diplomacy and aerospace interests remain closely intertwined.
Operationally, Boeing’s numbers are turning heads. In August 2025, the company delivered 57 jets, up from 48 in July, marking its best August since 2018. By the end of August, Boeing had delivered 385 planes for the year—already surpassing its total deliveries for all of 2024. The company also received 725 gross orders through August, against only 46 cancellations or conversions, leaving it with a robust backlog of nearly 6,000 aircraft.
As the company navigates its twin priorities—military innovation and commercial recovery—it faces a landscape full of both challenges and promise. The F-47 program is expected to define U.S. air power for decades, while commercial deals with Uzbekistan, China, and others could cement Boeing’s place as the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer once again.
For now, the skies above Boeing seem clearer than they have in years. With groundbreaking contracts, international partnerships, and a renewed sense of urgency, the company is flying high—proving that even after turbulent times, a new era of dominance is well within reach.
