The Department of Defense announced Tuesday that Boeing has secured a contract worth more than $20 billion for full‑scale development of the F/A‑XX, the Navy’s upcoming sixth‑generation strike fighter. The award marks Boeing’s second sixth‑generation fighter program after its selection for the Air Force’s F‑47 in 2025.
Program goals and capabilities
According to officials, the F/A‑XX will provide “absolute air superiority” by dominating contested airspace, extending the Navy’s operational reach, and delivering a decisive combat advantage for warfighters. The aircraft is designed to operate from aircraft carriers alongside both manned and unmanned platforms, including the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, and will eventually augment and replace legacy F/A‑18E/F Super Hornets, EA‑18G Growlers, and operate alongside the F‑35C.
Under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) umbrella, the F/A‑XX will feature advanced mission systems, highly networked sensors, and the ability to integrate new weapons rapidly. The contract includes multiple test aircraft for ground testing, airworthiness evaluations, and systems‑and‑weapons integration.
Government and industry statements
“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,” said Steve Parker, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
Michael P. Duffey, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, called the F/A‑XX “a crucial, non‑negotiable investment” in America’s national security and long‑term air combat capabilities. He added, “We are joining forces with Boeing to field these capabilities rapidly, ensuring our warfighters possess the lethal and highly networked systems required to deter aggression, project undisputed power, and secure absolute air superiority.”
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao hailed the award as the start of “a new era” for the service, noting that the sixth‑generation fighter represents a generational leap that will give the world’s best aviators unparalleled capabilities to fight, win, and return home safely.
Local impact
Boeing highlighted ongoing construction of a secure manufacturing facility in St. Louis, Missouri, where multiple aircraft will be built. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe praised the win, writing on X, “St. Louis is Fighterland, USA! Proud of this incredible win that further cements Missouri as a critical leader in the future of America’s air dominance, innovation, and national defense.”
Timeline
The program is slated to begin production in the early 2030s, with the F/A‑XX expected to augment the fleet before eventually replacing legacy platforms. Technical and program details remain classified under U.S. national‑security and export‑control regulations.
Industry analysts view the contract as a significant boost to the U.S. defense industrial base, reinforcing America’s ability to maintain a technological edge over near‑peer competitors. The partnership underscores the Trump administration’s focus on strengthening the military through advanced, domestically produced weapons systems.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
