A U.S. Pacific Air Force F-22 Raptor performs an aerial display during a media preview of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore February 9, 2020. ( REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo)
NGAD was conceived as a "family of systems" centered around a sixth-generation fighter jet that aims to provide the United States with advanced air dominance capabilities to counter near-peer adversaries like China and Russia.
Under President Donald Trump's administration, which took office in January, the program has moved forward after a period of uncertainty that cast doubt on the future of the next-generation fighter jet.
Last year, the program faced potential delays or scaling back due to budget pressures and cost overruns in other Air Force programs. There were also discussions about reconsidering fundamental design elements or shifting resources to unmanned drone programs.
The anticipated announcement signals designs that were finalized last year will be chosen for NGAD.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Boeing has suffered headwinds for both its commercial and defense businesses. A win would be a shot in the arm for its St. Louis, Missouri, fighter jet production businesses, while a loss would add to Boeing's woes.
Lockheed was recently eliminated from the competition to build the Navy's next-generation carrier-based stealth fighter. If it loses the NGAD contract, it will likely double down on its F-35 fighter jet program and international sales of its F-16 jets.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pentagon-set-award-us-air-forces-next-generation-fighter-jet-contract-sources-say