In a landmark move that reshapes the future of American air power, the Department of the Air Force has awarded Boeing the coveted contract to develop the F-47, the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet,

Boeing has been awarded the contract to build the U.S. Air Force's most sophisticated fighter jet yet, dubbed the F-47, beating out competition from Lockheed Martin for a program worth more than $20 billion.

Boeing won a contract March 21 to develop a next-generation combat aircraft for the U.S. Air Force that will spearhead future air wars and throw a lifeline to the company’s struggling military aviation business.