On Sept. 29, 2026, the Department of War announced a contract awarded by the U.S. Navy to Boeing for the sixth-generation F/A-XX Strike Fighter. Under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, the contract is valued at over $20 billion for the aircraft’s full-scale development phase. This includes procurement of multiple test aircraft for ground, airworthiness, systems, and weapons integration testing.
Boeing, which previously won the Air Force NGAD contract for the F-47, beat out Northrop Grumman for the Navy’s F/A-XX contract.
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“It’s an honor to be selected to produce the Navy’s first sixth–generation platform. Backed by decades of work, bolstered by game-changing innovations and solidified by the investments we’ve made in new facilities uniquely suited to build multiple products with next generation capabilities, our dedicated and talented team is ready to execute this critical program,” said Boeing Executive Vice President Steve Parker in a press release.
“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.”
While the fifth-generation F-35 has entered the fleet, the introduction of the sixth-generation F/A-XX is intended to push the capabilities of naval aviation even further. That said, Boeing notes that the technical and programmatic details of the F/A-XX remain classified.
“The F/A-XX is a critical pillar in our commitment to maintaining peace through strength. F/A-XX will dominate contested airspace, extend operational reach, and deliver a decisive combat advantage for the warfighter,” said Under Secretary of War Michael Duffey in a press release.
“The F/A-XX platform represents a crucial, non-negotiable investment in America’s national security and long-term air combat capabilities. 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.”
Although details about the F/A/-XX’s capabilities remain scarce, the Navy did note that it will be interoperable with manned and unmanned platforms such as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Moreover, the new Boeing will replace the current Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets as well as the E/A-18G Growler in the 2030s. The replacement of the latter means that the F/A-XX will have electronic warfare capabilities or a dedicated electronic warfare variant.
With Boeing building sixth-generation fighters for both the Air Force and Navy, the question remains how similar the two will be. Despite both services calling their programs NGAD, the requirements for each are reportedly tailored the specific needs of each service. The F-4 Phantom was flown by both the Air Force and Navy; despite not needing (unless a pilot needed to push his wingman), the Air Force Phantoms retained the tailhook required by the Navy.
The F-35 was developed as a Joint Strike Fighter and is flown by the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. While the Navy did say that the F/A-XX will operate alongside the F-35, there is no word on whether or not the Marines will be getting the sixth-generation fighter.
Although it’s currently produced by Boeing, the F/A-18 Super Hornet was acquired when the company merged with McDonnell Douglas, the Hornet’s original manufacturer. Boeing hasn’t built a fighter plane for the Navy since the pre-WWII propeller era. With basic designations like FB-1 and F4B, there’s no legacy for the new F/A-XX’s name to be drawn from.
While Northrop Grumman and its stockholders will certainly be disappointed by the Navy’s decision, naval aviation enthusiasts will be even more disappointed that the company’s legacy of fighters named for cats won’t be coming back anytime soon.
We still miss you, Tomcat.
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