U.S. Navy awards Boeing $20B+ contract for F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter jet
The U.S. Navy selected Boeing to develop its sixth-generation carrier-based fighter, the F/A-XX, awarding a contract valued at over $20 billion for full-scale development. The aircraft will augment and eventually replace F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers starting in the 2030s, operating alongside F-35s. Boeing beat out Northrop Grumman for the contract, and will also build the Air Force's sixth-generation F-47.
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US Navy Taps Boeing for F/A-XX Sixth-Generation Fighter Jet Development
On September 29, China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the US Navy has selected Boeing to develop its sixth-generation carrier-based fighter, the F/A-XX. The US Department of Defense subsequently announced that the full-scale development contract is valued at over $200 billion and includes the procurement of multiple test aircraft for ground, airworthiness, systems, and weapons integration testing. The F/A-XX is expected to enter service with the US Navy in the 2030s. This award follows Boeing's 2025 selection for the US Air Force's next-generation fighter, the F-47, meaning Boeing will now lead both the Navy and Air Force sixth-generation fighter programs. The F/A-XX will gradually replace the F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler, and will operate alongside the F-35 and other aircraft in the future carrier air wing.
Read sourceUS Navy selects Boeing to build next-generation F/A-XX carrier-based fighter
Defense News reports that Boeing has been selected by the U.S. Navy to build its sixth-generation carrier-based strike fighter, designated F/A-XX, beating out competitor Northrop Grumman. The contract for the full-scale development phase is valued at $20 billion and includes multiple test aircraft for ground, airworthiness, systems, and weapons integration testing. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey stated the F/A-XX is a critical pillar for maintaining peace through strength and will dominate contested airspace. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao called the fighter a generational leap in air superiority. Boeing has promised the aircraft will be interoperable with manned and unmanned platforms, including Collaborative Combat Aircraft. This award follows Boeing's 2025 selection for the U.S. Air Force's sixth-generation fighter under the NGAD program, the F-47. The F/A-XX is slated to replace the Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers beginning in the 2030s, operating alongside the F-35.
Read sourceUS Navy selects Boeing to build next-generation F/A-XX sixth-generation carrier-based fighter
The U.S. Navy has selected Boeing to build its sixth-generation carrier-based strike fighter, designated F/A-XX, awarding a $20 billion contract for full-scale development including multiple test aircraft. The decision excludes Northrop Grumman, which was considered Boeing's biggest competitor in late-stage negotiations. According to a Pentagon release, the contract covers ground, airworthiness, systems, and weapons integration testing. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey stated that the F/A-XX will dominate contested airspace and extend operational reach. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao called the fighter a generational leap in air superiority. Boeing has promised interoperability with manned and unmanned platforms, including Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The F/A-XX is expected to replace the Navy's aging F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers beginning in the 2030s, operating alongside the F-35. This award follows Boeing's 2025 selection for the Air Force's NGAD program (F-47), giving the company a monopoly on sixth-generation fighters across the services. The program had faced funding disputes and concerns over engineering and supply chain issues.
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Boeing Wins $20B Navy Contract for F/A-XX Sixth-Generation Fighter Jet
The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a contract worth over $20 billion to develop its new carrier-based sixth-generation fighter, designated the F/A-XX. The announcement, made via a Pentagon release on September 29, positions Boeing to build two of the three sixth-generation aircraft for the U.S. military, having also won the Air Force's F-47 contract in March 2025. The F/A-XX is intended to augment and eventually replace F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers starting in the 2030s, operating alongside F-35Cs. Key attributes include advanced stealth, extended range (over 25% farther than current fighters, per retired Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly), and the ability to control semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Donnelly suggested the F/A-XX could be the Navy's last manned fighter, serving as a bridge to a hybrid air wing. The selection is a loss for Northrop Grumman, the other finalist. Analyst J.J. Gertler noted that leveraging Boeing's F-47 work could accelerate the program, though questions remain about Boeing's production capacity given its concurrent commitments to the F-47, F-15EX, and T-7 programs in St. Louis.
Boeing Wins $20B+ Navy Contract for F/A-XX Sixth-Generation Carrier Fighter
The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a contract worth more than $20 billion to develop the F/A-XX, its new carrier-based sixth-generation fighter, as announced in a Sept. 29 Pentagon release. Boeing, which is also building the Air Force's sixth-gen F-47, beat out Northrop Grumman for the Navy's Next-Generation Air Dominance program. The F/A-XX will first augment and eventually replace older F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers beginning in the 2030s, operating alongside the F-35C. Undersecretary of Defense Michael P. Duffey stated the platform is a 'non-negotiable investment' to 'dominate contested airspace.' Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao called it a 'generational leap in air superiority.' The aircraft will be able to fly alongside and control semi-autonomous drones known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Retired Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, former director of the Navy's air warfare division, forecast at an April 2025 conference that the F/A-XX could be the Navy's last manned fighter, serving as a bridge to a hybrid air wing in the 2040s. He also stated the F/A-XX would likely have a combat range more than 25 percent farther than current Navy fighters like the Super Hornet.