Summary and Key Points: In a recent public speech, Donald Trump mentioned the "F-32" while discussing U.S. military aircraft. Although there is no such aircraft as the F-32, it seems he was likely referring to the F-22 Raptor.

-The confusion might stem from the existence of the Boeing X-32, which competed against the Lockheed Martin X-35 in the Joint Strike Fighter competition.

-The X-32, now being restored for display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, was part of the competition that ultimately led to the F-35 Lightning II. The mix-up highlights the complexity and occasional confusion surrounding military aircraft designation systems.

What Did Donald Trump Mean By F-32? Probably Not the X-32, but he Wasn't Completely Wrong

Former President Donald Trump was on the stump on Wednesday and while talking about national security, stated that the United States military has some of the most advanced hardware in the world. He mentioned the F-16 and F-35 –referencing of course the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning. But then the GOP presidential nominee added the F-32, an aircraft that doesn't exist (and before you say X-32, I'll get to that).

In fairness, it was an off-the-cuff remark by Trump, who has become infamous for off-the-cuff remarks. President Joe Biden and former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama were no strangers to similar verbal gaffes, so perhaps Trump should be forgiven.

He almost certainly meant to say F-22, as in the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor air superiority fighter

Yet, soon after Trump made the remarks, he received a fair share of mockery – with Sarah Sicard who previously contributed to the Military Times, Defense News, and Task & Purpose stating on X, "Ah yes, the F-32­so stealthy that there's no record it exists."

Not So Fast – Let's Talk About the X-32

Here is where this story gets a little more confusing because there actually was an X-32 – which is the aircraft that lost the Joint Strike Fighter competition to the Lockheed Martin X-35. Trump's supporters on social media were quick to respond to those calling out the former president to clarify that point.

Now we shouldn't expect Trump to know much about the X-32, as he's not shown himself to be a huge aviation buff – but it should be noted that just days before Trump made his comment about the F-16, F-35, and F-32, The National Interest's own Brent M. Eastwood wrote a piece that noted how the "Boeing X-32 competed against the Lockheed Martin X-35 to become the next Joint Strike Fighter but ultimately lost."

As Eastwood added, Boeing developed two prototypes – which were used to showcase the aircraft's speed, weapon capacity, and vertical take-off/landing capabilities.

Moreover, this reporter reported back in December of last year that one of those prototypes is now undergoing restoration at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), Dayton, Ohio.

The museum received the aircraft in 2005, and it could be put on public display sometime next year—a welcome addition to its already impressive aircraft collection. The X-32A is expected to be placed in the Maj. Gen. Albert Boyd and Maj. Gen. Fred Ascani Research and Development Gallery, which is home to such unique aircraft as the sole surviving North American XB-70A Valkyrie, one of the two existing Avro Canada VZ-9AV Avrocars, and the second prototype Lockheed YF-12A Mach 3 interceptor.

The Messed-Up Number System

So was Trump discussing the X-32 when he said F-32 – no, he likely wasn't. As noted, he probably meant F-22. But it is easy for those who aren't huge aviation buffs to keep this straight. It is made confusing by the fact that designation and number system began anew in the 1960s under Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara who was frustrated by the different systems employed by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force.

That resulted in further confusion largely until the arrival of the "teen series" in the 1970s – but clearly we've skipped more than a few numbers along the way.

AerospaceWeb.org tried – in vain – to get to the bottom of this jump from F-22 to F-35. While there was the Northrop YF-23 Black Widow II that competed against the YF-22, and there is speculation the JSF was to have been the F-24, the best answer is that some of the numbers "could have been the title of a design study." 

So in conclusion: There isn't an F-32, although there was an X-32. And the number systems didn't just confuse Secretary McNamara six decades ago, they confuse us today.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].