Rep. Bell Celebrates Boeing’s Air Force Contract Win, Securing Investment and Jobs to St. Louis Region

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) applauded Boeing's recent selection by the U.S. Air Force to develop and build its new sixth-generation fighter jet under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. This major contract victory is set to secure thousands of high-quality aerospace jobs in St. Louis and reinforces the region's critical role in advancing American defense and innovation.

"This is a huge win for Boeing and fantastic news for our St. Louis community," said Rep. Bell. "Not only does this contract secure thousands of good-paying jobs at Boeing's facility right here in our backyard, but it also highlights our region's essential role in maintaining America's military edge over global competitors like China. Our workforce in St. Louis is unmatched, and this announcement emphasizes our community's crucial role in our country's national security due to our expertise in aerospace and defense manufacturing."

The NGAD program represents the Air Force's cutting-edge effort to ensure continued air superiority into the 2030s and beyond. Boeing's success in winning this contract provides crucial stability to its St. Louis operations, particularly as its longstanding F/A-18 production line nears completion.

The new sixth-generation fighter is expected to feature state-of-the-art stealth technology, advanced communication systems, and next-generation weaponry. The aircraft will operate alongside drone wingmen, known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), ushering in a new era of air combat.

A full announcement of the contract is available here.

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