The U.S. Navy and the Department of War have awarded Boeing a contract valued at more than $20 billion for the full-scale development of the F/A-XX, the military’s sixth-generation carrier-based strike fighter. The deal secures Boeing’s role as the primary architect of naval aviation for the coming decades, tasking the company with producing a platform to deliver “absolute air superiority” in increasingly contested environments.
The F/A-XX is designed to replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft beginning in the 2030s. According to Defense News, the current contract covers the development of multiple test aircraft intended for ground testing, airworthiness certification, and the integration of advanced mission systems and weaponry.
A Strategic Monopoly on Sixth-Generation Aviation
The Navy’s selection of Boeing completes a sweep of the Pentagon’s primary sixth-generation crewed fighter programs. Boeing previously secured the Air Force’s F-47 Phoenix contract in March 2025. By winning the F/A-XX competition, Boeing has effectively established a monopoly on the next generation of American crewed combat aircraft, a significant turnaround for a defense arm that faced uncertainty as F/A-18 production lines in St. Louis neared their scheduled sunset.
Manufacturing for the F/A-XX will be centered at Boeing’s secure facility in St. Louis, Missouri. The program is expected to emphasize extended range and advanced sensing capabilities, requirements driven by the operational stresses of long-range maritime deployments. Defense analysts note that the Navy’s push for the F/A-XX has been accelerated by the need for greater persistence in theater, particularly as carrier strike groups face evolving threats in the Pacific and Middle East.
Administrative and Legislative Context
The contract award was finalized under the leadership of Michael P. Duffey, the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment. The official branding of the “Department of War” was restored earlier this month, marking a shift in the administrative nomenclature of the nation’s defense apparatus.
The program also moves forward amidst a leadership transition within the Navy. Hung Cao, who was nominated to serve as the permanent Secretary of the Navy on September 1, 2026, continues to lead the service in an acting capacity. Cao’s permanent confirmation currently requires a congressional waiver; under 10 U.S.C. § 8013, a service secretary must be at least seven years removed from active duty, while Cao has been retired for five years.
