The US Department of Defense may soon choose a company to develop and build the US Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based fighter. According to a report by Reuters, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave the green light for the selection last Friday. The program has been secretive, but it is understood to have narrowed down to two companies: Northrop Grumman and Boeing.
The F/A-XX decision is now months later than planned, and the program’s future has been under scrutiny. The Navy has long spoken about the centrality of the F/A-XX to its future carrier aviation plans, with Adm. Daryl Caudle stating that it is critical to field the capability as quickly as possible to give warfighters the capabilities they need to win against emerging threats.
The rapid pace of development in China’s carrier aviation capabilities is also putting pressure on the US Navy to move forward with the F/A-XX program. China’s Shenyang J-35 next-generation carrier-based fighter may have entered limited series production, and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has demonstrated a new ability to launch and recover aircraft from a catapult-equipped aircraft carrier.
The US Navy plans to feature the F/A-XX as a central part of a new-look carrier air wing that could include up to two-thirds uncrewed aircraft. The decision on who will make the Navy’s next carrier-based fighter is expected to be made soon, with the Navy celebrating its 250th anniversary and China continuing to develop its carrier aviation capabilities at an impressive rate.
Northrop Grumman and Boeing are the two companies in contention for the contract, with Lockheed Martin reportedly eliminated from the competition in March. The Navy and the Office of the Secretary of Defense declined to comment on the apparent new development, and the Pentagon’s proposed budget for the 2026 Fiscal Year included enough funding to complete initial development work but didn’t include any further funds to actually start buying the aircraft.
In July, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a draft defense spending bill that would reverse the Pentagon’s plan to freeze the F/A-XX program, including $1.4 billion for F/A-XX. The Navy has long spoken about the importance of the F/A-XX program, and the pressure is on to move forward with the program in light of China’s rapid development of advanced combat aircraft designs.
The F/A-XX program is expected to be a significant investment for the US Navy, with the goal of fielding a next-generation carrier-based fighter that can compete with China’s rapidly developing carrier aviation capabilities. The decision on who will make the Navy’s next carrier-based fighter is expected to be made soon, and it will be an important step forward for the US Navy’s future carrier aviation plans.
The US Navy’s 250th anniversary celebrations included a visit by President Donald Trump to the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, where he witnessed a firepower demonstration and met with senior Navy officials. The event highlighted the importance of the US Navy’s carrier aviation capabilities and the need for the F/A-XX program to move forward.
In conclusion, the US Department of Defense may soon choose a company to develop and build the US Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based fighter. The program has been secretive, but it is understood to have narrowed down to two companies: Northrop Grumman and Boeing. The Navy has long spoken about the centrality of the F/A-XX to its future carrier aviation plans, and the pressure is on to move forward with the program in light of China’s rapid development of advanced combat aircraft designs. The decision on who will make the Navy’s next carrier-based fighter is expected to be made soon, and it will be an important step forward for the US Navy’s future carrier aviation plans.