The U.S. Department of Defense is poised to announce, potentially within this week, the selection of a contractor for the assembly of the U.S. Navy’s upcoming F/A-XX sixth-generation stealth aircraft. This decision, which comes as part of an effort to enhance the Navy’s aerial capabilities, follows approval from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this month. Boeing and Northrop Grumman are the two major contenders for this significant contract.
The F/A-XX is engineered to succeed the aging fleet of F/A-18 Super Hornets, which have been operational since the 1990s. This new aircraft is anticipated to incorporate advanced stealth technology, extend its operational range, and enhance its capacity to work in conjunction with unmanned drones and ship defenses. Adm. Daryl Caudle, the nominee for Chief of Naval Operations, emphasized the necessity of developing this platform to ensure the U.S. Navy remains ready to tackle emerging threats.
Caudle stated, “The Navy has a validated requirement for carrier-based sixth-generation aircraft, and it is critical that we field that capability as quickly as possible to give our warfighters the capabilities they need to win against a myriad of emerging threats.” His comments underline the urgency of progressing with the F/A-XX program amid rising global tensions.
However, the program has not proceeded without challenges. It has encountered multiple delays attributed to funding disputes and technical hurdles. The Pentagon’s initial budget request of $74 million was aimed at sustaining preliminary development efforts. Nonetheless, Congress has taken steps to expedite the project, approving $750 million for the current year and allocating $1.4 billion for the fiscal year 2026 to ensure ongoing development.
An additional concern is the capacity of the competing manufacturers to manage their respective workloads. Boeing is simultaneously developing the U.S. Air Force’s new F-47 fighter, while Northrop Grumman is engaged in the Sentinel project, which is vital to the modernization of the U.S. nuclear triad. Earlier this year, Lockheed Martin, known for producing the F-35, was excluded from the competition.
The urgency of the F/A-XX decision is underscored by the rapid advancements in China’s carrier-based aviation capabilities, which include the deployment of the stealth-capable J-35 fighter and the introduction of the Fujian aircraft carrier, equipped with technology similar to U.S. catapult systems. Analysts caution that continued delays could leave the U.S. Navy without a modern carrier jet in the next decade, highlighting the strategic importance of timely development and deployment of the F/A-XX.
