Former President Suggests Twin-Engine Fighter Jet and Revival of Iconic F-22 Raptor
In a surprising announcement during a high-level business roundtable in Doha, Qatar, former U.S. President Donald Trump floated the potential development of a new twin-engine fighter jet called the F-55, along with a major upgrade to the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, to be dubbed the F-22 Super.
Trump made the comments while speaking alongside aerospace leaders including Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and GE Aerospace Chairman Larry Culp. The remarks come just weeks after Boeing won the contract for the F-47—a sixth-generation stealth fighter platform intended to replace the F-22.
“We’re going to do an F-55… two engines and a super upgrade on the F-35. Then we’re going to do the F-22 Super,” Trump stated. “It’ll be a very modern version of the F-22 fighter jet.”
What Is the F-55? A New Contender or a Code Name?
The proposed F-55 remains unconfirmed in official defense acquisition programs. Trump framed it as a possible next-gen evolution of the F-35 Lightning II—but with dual engines and extended performance capabilities. Analysts speculate it may relate to the F/A-XX program, the Navy’s sixth-gen replacement for the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
UK-based defense analyst Francis Tusa noted, “Adding an engine to the F-35 makes it a new aircraft.”
F-22 Super: A Revival of America’s Favorite Stealth Jet
Trump described the F-22 Raptor as “the most beautiful fighter jet in the world” and proposed a reimagined version called the F-22 Super. This upgraded model would modernize the stealth jet with next-gen avionics, sensors, and engine capabilities while leveraging lessons learned from the NGAD bidding process.
For background, the F-22 Raptor ceased production in 2011. Attempts to revive or evolve it have been long debated within U.S. defense circles due to cost and shifting priorities toward unmanned systems.
Lockheed and Boeing Respond to Changing Landscape
Lockheed Martin, having recently lost NGAD contracts, is now exploring “fifth-generation-plus” solutions that apply stealth and AI to lower-cost platforms. CEO James Taiclet recently said, “We’re going to take the chassis and turn it into a Ferrari.”
Boeing, by contrast, is leading the F-47 development—an advanced manned fighter with drone wingmen—poised to redefine U.S. aerial combat strategies into the 2030s and beyond.
Cost, Feasibility & Political Will
While Trump’s proposals have drawn global attention, experts say any development of the F-55 or F-22 Super would require massive funding, bipartisan support, and long-term defense planning. The Pentagon’s 2025 defense budget already allocates billions to NGAD and UAV technologies, which may complicate a pivot back to manned platforms like the F-22.
Conclusion
Whether Trump’s proposal materializes or not, his remarks have reignited debate on the future of U.S. fighter dominance. With Lockheed, Boeing, and Congress maneuvering through tight budgets and changing global threats, the next phase of air superiority is being forged in real time.