Boeing wins $20 billion U.S. Navy F/A-XX
The U.S. Navy has selected Boeing to build its next-generation F/A-XX carrier-based fighter under a contract exceeding $20 billion, announced on September
Boeing has been selected to build the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation fighter following an extended period of limited public updates. The Navy announced the multi-billion-dollar contract award to Boeing on September 29th, ending an over 18-month pause in news about the program. Boeing beat Northrop Grumman to secure the work.
Scope and value of the contract
The contract is valued at more than $20 billion for the full-scale development phase and initial production. This funding will cover the completion of development work, several initial airframes, and the associated manufacturing ramp-up costs.
Production base and industrial capacity
Boeing’s expanded St. Louis facility will serve as the primary production hub for the F/A-XX. Work on a massive 1.1 million square foot expansion there is drawing to a close, making it the largest fighter manufacturing facility currently in the United States. Boeing’s several billion dollar investment in its own development and manufacturing capabilities for fighter aircraft likely proved critical to its success.
Strategic context and programme goals
The F/A-XX is intended to replace the Navy's ageing fleet of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers beginning in the 2030s. The service hopes to field the new aircraft as fast as possible because current Super Hornets are racking up flight hours. The fighter's primary task will be long-range strike in heavily defended airspace, and it will also defend the carrier from air and missile attacks. It is designed to augment the carrier air wing's F-35Cs and operate alongside unmanned systems.
The modernized carrier air wing is expected to feature a future fleet of Collaborative Combat Aircraft and the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone.
Broader defence industrial landscape
The Navy award is Boeing's second major win for a sixth-generation fighter, following its selection for the U.S. Air Force's F-47 program in March 2025. Between those two awards, speculation occurred over U.S. Industrial capacity, with some Pentagon officials expressing concern about Boeing handling two major programs simultaneously. The company stated that delivering both the F-47 and F/A-XX was always its plan.
Steve Parker, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, made a statement about the program. Michael Duffey, under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, also commented on the F/A-XX award. GE Aerospace issued a statement saying they are excited to see the program advance.
If the F/A-XX program follows a similar pace to the F-47, which saw its first flight three years after contract award, it could fly as soon as the end of the decade. Boeing declined to provide design details, citing classified technical and programmatic specifics. The F/A-XX is expected to begin replacing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers in the 2030s as part of a broader carrier air wing modernization effort.
