Trump Surprises Air Force with New Fighter

BREAKING: May 16, 2025

During an event with US defense execs in Doha this week, President Trump casually introduced the concept of an F-55, which, by his description, appears to be an upgraded version of the current F-35, reimagined with two engines instead of one. This announcement has raised eyebrows across the military aviation community, primarily because the idea of a twin-engine F-35 poses significant engineering challenges. Notably, converting the F-35’s current design—a sleek, single-engine fighter—into a twin-engine variant is no simple task. It requires a complete redesign of the fuselage and associated systems, essentially crafting a new aircraft.

The intriguing part about this announcement is how it aligns (or rather, misaligns) with existing plans for the F-35. Lockheed Martin is already working on systematic upgrades under the Block 4 modernization program. These upgrades encompass avionics refreshment, electronic warfare system enhancements, radar capabilities improvements, and engine upgrades. Rumors were already afloat about a potential enhanced vehicle, sometimes affectionately referred to as the "Ferrari F-35," anticipated to integrate advanced technologies initially proposed for the F-47.

While no "F-55" as described by President Trump officially exists in any documented defense acquisition program, it's presented as a next-generation leap, perhaps more as a conceptual aspiration than a concrete, immediate reality. The idea of two engines appeals to those concerned about the safety and redundancy a twin-engine configuration can provide, particularly in high-stakes combat scenarios.

Trump also hinted at an upcoming evolution of the F-22 Raptor—referred to as the F-22 Super. There's already a substantial upgrade program in place for the F-22, with funding of around $14 billion earmarked over the next five years. 

This upgraded F-22 will sport several enhancements including advanced sensor systems, improved electronic warfare processors, and possibly a classified radar upgrade. There's speculation about incorporating gallium nitride technology, which could enhance radar range significantly without increasing power consumption or physical size. Despite prior plans to phase out the F-22, the current trajectory seems to solidify its presence in the fleet for the foreseeable future alongside modern successors.

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