WASHINGTON — The US Navy has selected Boeing to design and build its next-generation strike fighter, known as the F/A-XX, in a major victory that positions the aerospace giant as the Pentagon’s primary supplier of future combat aircraft, according to sources familiar with the decision.
This decision secures Boeing’s role as the exclusive developer of sixth-generation fighter jets for the United States military. Earlier, in March 2025, Boeing also won the competition to develop and manufacture the US Air Force’s next-generation fighter, designated as the F-47.
Together, these two landmark victories effectively shut out Boeing’s chief rivals, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, from the sixth-generation fighter market for the foreseeable future. This represents a dramatic turnaround for Boeing, which faced serious risks of completely exiting fighter production in early 2025. (Lockheed Martin will continue to produce the fifth-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.)
According to a Pentagon announcement released following the report, the contract is valued at over $20 billion for the full-scale development phase. The deal includes the procurement of multiple test aircraft for ground, airworthiness, systems, and weapons integration testing. Officials stated that the F/A-XX is targeted to achieve initial flight capability in the 2030s.
“The F/A-XX is a critical pillar in our commitment to maintaining peace through strength,” said Michael Duffey, Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. “This platform will dominate contested airspace, extend operational reach, and deliver a decisive combat advantage to our warfighters.”
Hung Cao, the Acting Secretary of the Navy, remarked, “The sixth-generation fighter represents a generational leap in air superiority, providing our world-class aviators with unparalleled capabilities to fight, win, and return home safely. We are thrilled to partner with Boeing, enabling our warfighters to continue dominating the skies and defeating our nation’s adversaries.”
Steve Parker, Boeing’s defense chief, described the selection as a profound honor.
“Backed by decades of expertise, enhanced by groundbreaking innovations, and supported by strategic investments in state-of-the-art facilities designed to produce multiple next-generation systems, our dedicated and talented team is fully prepared to execute this critical program,” Parker stated.
In a statement, Northrop Grumman noted that it proposed a highly survivable, digitally advanced sixth-generation fighter for the US Navy, adding that the company looks forward to receiving further details regarding the selection decision.
The Road to the F/A-XX Decision
The journey to the F/A-XX contract has been marked by significant hurdles and shifting timelines.
Following the Air Force’s award of the F-47 contract, speculation arose that the Navy’s fighter program would follow suit quickly, but the initiative subsequently stalled. In July 2025, the White House suggested that proceeding with the Navy fighter could jeopardize the success of the F-47 program, leading to internal debates within the Pentagon over the project’s future. However, Congressional leaders and Navy officials maintained that the next-generation fighter is essential for the future carrier air wing.
In his statement, Parker appeared to address concerns regarding Boeing’s capacity to produce both advanced fighters simultaneously, asserting, “Delivering two advanced combat aircraft in parallel was always our strategy, and we have made the necessary investments. We are fully ready and capable of managing multiple concurrent future combat aircraft franchise programs.”
The Navy has maintained a low profile regarding program details, though officials have indicated that the F/A-XX will feature greater range than existing platforms and act as a stealthy spearhead for carrier air wings. This next-generation aircraft is slated to replace the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler.
Nevertheless, the F/A-XX competition stood out as one of the most highly anticipated contract awards for the Navy, outside of its shipbuilding endeavors. Once deployed, the new aircraft will operate from carrier warships, complementing Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and future Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
The Navy initiative is also known as the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, sharing its name with the Air Force’s F-47 program. While outside observers previously speculated about potential overlap between the two programs beyond their names, Navy officials have consistently clarified that their fighter will feature a distinct airframe, avoiding the joint development approach that characterized the F-35 program.
Diana Stancy contributed to this report. This is a developing breaking news story and will be continuously updated.
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