US Navy awards Boeing over $20B contract for F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter development

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The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a contract valued at more than $20 billion to develop its new carrier-based sixth-generation fighter, designated the F/A-XX. Boeing is also building the Air Force's sixth-generation fighter, the F-47.

Official Statements

Michael P. Duffey, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said in a Sept. 29 Pentagon release:

"The F/A-XX is a critical pillar in our commitment to maintaining peace through strength. F/A-XX will dominate contested airspace, extend operational reach, and deliver a decisive combat advantage for the warfighter. The F/A-XX platform represents a crucial, non-negotiable investment in America's national security and long-term air combat capabilities."

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao added:

"This achievement marks a new era for the U.S. Navy. The sixth-generation fighter is a generational leap in air superiority and will provide the world's best aviators with unparalleled capabilities to fight, win, and come home safe. We are excited to partner with Boeing, and for our warfighters to continue to dominate the skies and defeat our nation's enemies."

Timeline and Role

According to the Pentagon release, the F/A-XX will:

• First augment, and eventually replace, older F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers
• Begin this transition in the 2030s
• Operate alongside the carrier-based F-35C Joint Strike Fighter, flown by both the Navy and Marine Corps

Industry Impact

The selection means Boeing will now build two of the three sixth-generation aircraft in development for the U.S. military:

• F/A-XX — Navy (awarded September 2025)
• F-47 — Air Force (awarded March 2025)

The decision represents a loss for Northrop Grumman, the only other remaining competitor for the Navy's Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter program and the manufacturer of the Air Force's B-21 Raider.

Key Capabilities

The Pentagon release stated that the F/A-XX will be able to fly alongside and control semi-autonomous Navy drones, known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

Advanced stealth is considered a key attribute of sixth-generation aircraft.

Range

Retired Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, former director of the Navy's air warfare division, said at an April 2025 conference that the F/A-XX would likely fly more than 25 percent farther than current Navy fighters before needing refueling.

For comparison:

• F/A-18 Super Hornet: ~1,275 nautical mile combat range
• F-35C Joint Strike Fighter: >1,200 nautical mile combat range

"That's a core attribute of the F/A-XX. It will definitely have longer inherent range, and then with refueling, you could say that's indefinite, as long as refueling is available." — Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly (ret.), April 2025

Potential Final Manned Fighter

Donnelly also suggested the F/A-XX could be the Navy's last manned fighter:

"It could be our last tactical manned fighter that we operate out of the Navy. It will actually be at a point where we are more man-on-the-loop than man-in-the-loop, and be the bridge to fully integrating towards the hybrid air wing [combining piloted aircraft and unmanned platforms] in the future, in the 2040s."

Boeing's Response

Steve Parker, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, said:

"It's an honor to be selected to produce the Navy's first sixth-generation platform. Backed by decades of work, bolstered by game-changing innovations and solidified by the investments we've made in new facilities uniquely suited to build multiple products with next-generation capabilities, our dedicated and talented team is ready to execute this critical program."

Boeing stated that the F/A-XX "will revolutionize advancements in open mission systems architecture, advanced mission systems, and operational reach and capacity."

Technical and program details on the F/A-XX are classified and could not be released.

Production and Facilities

Boeing has invested heavily in building new facilities for advanced aircraft production in St. Louis, Missouri, where the F-47 is now in development. Boeing also builds the F-15EX Eagle II fighters and T-7 Red Hawk trainer jets for the Air Force in St. Louis.

On Sept. 29, the Pentagon also awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract for 22 additional F-15EX fighters.

Boeing said construction is ongoing for its secure manufacturing facility in St. Louis, which will "be part of the world's most advanced, all-digital aerospace design and manufacturing system."

"Delivering two advanced fighters in parallel was always our plan, and we invested accordingly. We are ready and able to build multiple concurrent future combat aircraft franchise programs." — Steve Parker, Boeing

Analyst Perspective

Longtime defense analyst J.J. Gertler said the Navy's choice of Boeing could leverage work from the F-47 program, potentially accelerating F/A-XX development and production:

"If it's based on the F-47 or was codeveloped with the F-47, they might be able to put an aircraft in the air very quickly."

However, Gertler noted questions about Boeing's capacity:

"We don't know how much of [Boeing's new advanced aircraft facility] is taken up by F-47. They've got F-15EX numbers expanding. They've got T-7 there. Do they have the people to be able to produce this [F/A-XX] aircraft quickly?"

Audio version of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Learn more at afa.org.