Close Calls and Costly Missteps: U.S. Halts Yemen Campaign, Trump Unveils F-47 Fighter Jet
Executive Summary
Facing escalating risks and unsustainable costs, the U.S. has abandoned its military campaign against Yemen’s Houthi forces after nearly losing multiple fighter jets—including an F-35—and burning through over a billion dollars in munitions in just one month. A New York Times investigation reveals how failed Pentagon strategy, mounting drone losses, and near-catastrophic engagements forced President Trump to cut the operation short. In a pivot to reassurance and power projection, Trump has simultaneously announced the rapid development of the sixth-generation F-47 stealth jet—a project meant to reassert U.S. air dominance globally.
Analysis
The Houthi campaign, launched under the command of CENTCOM leader Gen. Michael Kurilla, was initially envisioned as an 8–10-month air operation targeting Houthi air defenses, followed by a precision assassination phase. Instead, within the first 30 days, the Houthis had already shot down seven $30 million MQ-9 Reaper drones and nearly scored direct hits on American F-16s and even an F-35 fighter jet. These close calls made the risk of American casualties imminent, according to multiple U.S. officials cited by The New York Times.
The economic toll was equally staggering. The Pentagon deployed two aircraft carriers, B-2 bombers, and advanced missile defense systems to the region. But with advanced long-range munitions being rapidly depleted, contingency planners warned of vulnerabilities elsewhere—especially in a potential Taiwan conflict scenario. Internal assessments described the operation as “strategically and financially unsustainable.”
Amid growing operational setbacks and political backlash, President Trump pulled the plug on the Houthi strikes. According to the Times, the decision was catalyzed not by diplomacy, but by battlefield attrition and Pentagon warnings that the U.S. could no longer afford to maintain the fight—either tactically or logistically.
Pivoting from the setback, Trump unveiled the F-47 fighter jet, awarding Boeing a multibillion-dollar contract to build what he called “the most lethal aircraft ever made.” Branded to reflect Trump’s position as the 47th U.S. president, the F-47—under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program—is designed to outclass all rivals in stealth, speed, maneuverability, and AI-enabled warfare. Though details are scarce, the Air Force confirmed it will replace current airframes like the F-35, which has drawn criticism for underperformance in real combat scenarios.
Trump boasted that the F-47 had already been “secretly flying” and that its deployment sends a “clear message” to both allies and adversaries. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described it as a symbol of strategic continuity, stating it would allow the U.S. to “project power around the globe unimpeded for generations.”
The announcement was also a lifeline for Boeing, which has faced major setbacks in commercial aviation. Trump’s bold branding and fast-tracked defense procurement are likely to generate both support among defense hawks and scrutiny from oversight bodies, especially given the cost and secrecy surrounding the project.
