Pentagon Greenlights Next-Generation US Navy Fighter Jet Program
Oct 8, 2025
The Pentagon is set to select a defence contractor to develop the US Navy’s next-generation stealth fighter, the F/A-XX, as early as this week, sources say. The multibillion-dollar program is considered a key part of the United States’ strategy to counter China’s growing military capabilities.
Boeing and Northrop Grumman are competing to design and build the carrier-based fighter, which will replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet, in service since the 1990s. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth approved moving forward with the selection process last Friday.
“China has been advancing its 5th and 6th generation fighter programs rapidly, so this award is critical to keeping pace,” said analyst Roman Schweizer of TD Cowen.
The F/A-XX is expected to feature advanced stealth technology, longer range, and improved endurance, while also integrating with uncrewed combat aircraft and the Navy’s carrier-based air defense systems.
Program Delays and Funding Challenges
The project faced delays earlier this year due to a funding dispute between Congress and the Pentagon, as well as concerns about engineering and supply chain capacity. The Pentagon had requested $74 million for minimal development funding, while Congress allocated $750 million to accelerate the program and earmarked an additional $1.4 billion for fiscal 2026.
Officials also debated whether Boeing and Northrop could handle the workload alongside their other major defense projects, including Boeing’s F-47 jet and Northrop’s Sentinel ICBM program.
Timeline and Production
The first F/A-XX jets are expected to enter service in the 2030s, with the F/A-18 fleet remaining operational into the 2040s. The program’s total number of aircraft, budget, and timeline remain classified, but similar programs, like the F-35, have been valued at tens of billions of dollars over their lifetime.
Meanwhile, the Navy plans to continue procuring over 270 Lockheed Martin F-35C jets for its carrier fleet, although Lockheed Martin was excluded from the F/A-XX competition earlier this year.
The final contract announcement is expected soon, marking a major milestone for the US Navy’s future carrier aviation capabilities.
