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PoliticsUS Navy to announce F/A-XX next-gen fighter contract winner within weeks
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The Pentagon has selected a contractor for the US Navy's next-generation stealth fighter, designated F/A-XX, and could announce the winner within weeks, according to two sources briefed on the matter. Boeing and Northrop Grumman are the final competitors for the contract, which could be worth tens of billions of dollars over its lifetime. The program has faced years of delays and funding disputes, with some Pentagon officials seeking a three-year postponement due to engineering and supply chain concerns. Congress pushed back, allocating $750 million in 2025 and an additional $1.4 billion in fiscal 2026. The urgency is heightened by China's rapid fielding of advanced combat aircraft, including what Beijing calls sixth-generation jets. The carrier-borne fighter will replace the aging F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet and serve as the centerpiece of the Navy's Next Generation Air Dominance family of systems. It is expected to feature advanced stealth, improved range, and integration with uncrewed combat aircraft. First production jets are anticipated in the 2030s, with F/A-18s remaining in service into the 2040s.
Source report
The Pentagon has selected the company that will build the U.S. Navy's next-generation stealth fighter, and the winner could be announced within weeks or sooner, according to two people briefed on the matter.
Boeing and Northrop Grumman are competing for the contract, which—based on previous programs of similar scope—could be worth tens of billions of dollars over its lifetime.
Program Background
The program, currently unnamed but designated F/A-XX, has faced years of delays and funding disputes. Some Pentagon officials had sought to delay it by up to three years, citing concerns about engineering and supply chain capacity. Congress pushed back, allocating:
- $750 million for F/A-XX in the tax-cut and spending bill signed into law in 2025
- $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2026
Strategic Urgency
With China rapidly fielding advanced combat aircraft—including ones Beijing describes as sixth-generation—the stakes of further delay are high. A U.S. official said that without a modern fighter capable of operating from carriers in the 2030s and beyond, the Navy's ability to project power in contested environments could be undermined.
Official Statement
A Pentagon spokesperson said: "We continue work to award the F/A-XX contract in the near future. There is no additional information at this time."
Aircraft Capabilities
The carrier-borne fighter jet will be the centerpiece of the Navy's Next Generation Air Dominance family of systems, intended to replace the aging F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet, which has been in service since the 1990s.
The F/A-XX is expected to feature:
- Advanced stealth capabilities
- Improved range and endurance
- Integration with uncrewed combat aircraft
- Compatibility with the Navy's carrier-based air defense systems
Timeline
- First production jets are expected to enter service in the 2030s
- F/A-18s are expected to remain in service into the 2040s
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Defense NewsWestern
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Pentagon selects contractor for US Navy’s F/A-XX stealth fighter, announcement imminent