The Pentagon has selected Boeing for a massive $20 billion US Navy contract to develop its next-generation F/A-XX fighter jet, marking a major milestone in the future of American naval aviation.
Announced on September 29, 2026, the contract is part of the Navy’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. The new sixth-generation fighter is expected to replace the aging F/A-18 Super Hornet fleet starting in the 2030s.
Boeing secured the contract after competing against Northrop Grumman, which had also proposed an advanced sixth-generation fighter for the Navy.
The F/A-XX is being designed to extend the Navy’s combat reach, enhance survivability and deliver greater strike capabilities. The aircraft is also expected to operate alongside unmanned systems, including drones, in future combat operations.
Boeing’s defense division chief Steve Parker said the company was prepared to develop multiple advanced combat aircraft programs simultaneously. The company is also building the US Air Force’s next-generation stealth fighter under a separate contract awarded in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon described the F/A-XX as a crucial investment in America’s long-term air combat capabilities.
With technical details remaining classified, the F/A-XX program is set to shape the future of US carrier-based aviation and next-generation naval warfare.
The race for sixth-generation air power is accelerating, with Boeing now leading two major next-generation fighter development programs for the US military.
