The United States Navy has selected Boeing to manufacture a new type of fighter jet that will assist American pilots in dominating the skies, defeating enemies, and safely returning home.
On Tuesday (September 29th), the US Department of War announced that the US Navy has awarded a contract to Boeing for the development of the sixth-generation F/A-XX attack fighter jet under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) project framework. This contract covers the full-scale development phase, valued at over $20 billion. The contract includes the procurement of multiple test aircraft for ground tests, airworthiness tests, system tests, and weapon integration tests.
Boeing stated that, following their selection for the Air Force F-47 project in 2025, this contract signifies their second sixth-generation fighter jet project.
The F/A-XX is a key pillar in fulfilling our commitment to “seek peace through strength.” The F/A-XX will dominate the contested airspaces, extend combat ranges, and provide combat personnel with decisive combat advantages,” said Michael P. Duffey, Deputy Secretary of Defense in charge of acquisition and sustainment, in a press release. “The F/A-XX platform represents a critical and indispensable investment in the long-term air combat capabilities and national security of the United States. We are working in partnership with Boeing to rapidly deploy these capabilities, ensuring our combat personnel have the necessary lethal and highly networked systems to deter aggression, deliver unquestionable force, and establish absolute air superiority.”
The F/A-XX will provide advanced carrier-based power projection capabilities, extending the operational range of the US Navy aircraft carriers. Additionally, the F/A-XX will have interoperability with manned and unmanned platforms such as Cooperative Combat Aircraft (CCA), enhancing the combat effectiveness of each CCA it operates with.
Steve Parker, President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security Group, stated: “Simultaneously delivering two advanced fighter jets has always been part of our established plan, and we have made corresponding investments for this. We are prepared and capable of simultaneously undertaking multiple future fighter jet projects.”
“This achievement marks a new era for the US Navy,” Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said. “The sixth-generation fighter jet represents a generational leap in air dominance capabilities, providing top-notch pilots worldwide with unparalleled abilities to overcome enemies in combat and return safely. We are excited to collaborate with Boeing to ensure our combat personnel continue to dominate the blue sky and defeat the enemies of the nation.”
Boeing stated that the aircraft will bring significant improvements in mission systems, combat range, and capabilities, but specific technical and project details remain classified due to US national security and export regulations.
“We feel honored to have been selected to manufacture the Navy’s first sixth-generation platform,” Parker said, adding that the company’s team is “ready to execute this critical project.”
The company noted that a classified manufacturing facility in St. Louis is under construction to prepare for the production of multiple next-generation capability fighter jets.
“The investment in facilities is just one part of it; we are also committed to technological and talent investments to ensure we can meet customer needs,” Parker said.
In a concluding statement in the press release, the Department of War announced that with the announcement of this contract award, Boeing will deliver the platform to strengthen and gradually replace the active-duty F/A-18E/F “Super Hornets” and EA-18G “Growlers” starting in the 2030s and to collaborate with the F-35C.
“The next-generation attack fighter jet named F/A-XX will defend the skies in the coming decades, and forge peace through strength.”
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe welcomed the news and emphasized the role the state plays in the manufacturing of next-generation military aircraft in the United States.
“St. Louis is the ‘Fighterland, USA’ for fighter jets!” Kehoe wrote on his platform, “I am proud of this remarkable victory, which further fortifies Missouri’s position as a key leader in America’s future air dominance, innovation, and defense fields.”