May 15, 2025 - Technology

Trump wants two new cutting-edge fighter jets: F-22 Super and F-55

Colin Demarest

An F-22 takes off in the dark. Its nose is illuminated by lights near the front. Its tail is back lit. — A U.S. Air Force F-22, seen at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Photo: Owen Davis/DVIDS

President Trump on Thursday revealed his wishes for bleeding-edge warplanes he dubbed F-22 Super and F-55.

Why it matters: Trump's comments during a stop in Qatar were the first time either potential aircraft has been publicly mentioned. Such major, multibillion-dollar endeavors are not pulled from thin air, suggesting some legwork may already be underway.

It's a boost for Lockheed Martin, which makes both the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II, which the president suggested would be upgraded.

The latest: Trump made the comments in Doha, Qatar, while flanked by Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and GE Aerospace CEO Larry Culp.

The F-22 Super will be "a very modern version" of the existing fighter, he said, and the F-55 will have twin engines.

What they're saying: A Lockheed spokesperson told Axios the company will "continue to work closely" with the Trump administration "to realize its vision for air dominance."

The same spokesperson referred questions about warplane specs to the White House.

Zoom out: The Pentagon is already overhauling its air warfare arsenal.

Boeing won the Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance fighter contract and is now building the F-47. (The name is a nod to Trump, the 47th president, and the P-47.)
Anduril Industries and General Atomics are going head to head on robo-wingmen known as collaborative combat aircraft. Ground tests for the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A are underway.
And Boeing and Northrop Grumman are reportedly in competition for the Navy's F/A-XX.

Flashback: Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet last month teased "fifth-generation plus" aircraft, likening them to Ferraris.

Go deeper: What's influencing the Air Force's F-47 and Navy's F/A-XX

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Trump wants two new cutting-edge fighter jets: F-22 Super and F-55

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