Washington DC/IBNS, March 22 -- US President Donald Trump Friday announced that his administration has awarded Boeing with a major contract to develop a high-tech next-generation F-47 fighter plane for the Air Force.

The contract is aimed at replacing the F-22 stealth warplane, operating for some two decades, with a new, more advanced aircraft that will be able to operate alongside uncrewed drones.

He said the price of the contract could not be revealed for security reasons.

The announcement is a big boost for Boeing, which faced a difficult last year owing to a lengthy labor strike and safety problems.

The F-47 will replace the F-22 Raptor aircraft, whose manufacturing dates back to the 1980s.

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