In a move set to reshape the future of American naval aviation, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has officially approved the launch of the F/A-XX next-generation fighter program for the United States Navy. The decision, finalized on October 3, 2025, marks the beginning of a multibillion-dollar effort to develop a carrier-based stealth jet viewed as central to U.S. efforts to maintain air superiority over China, according to Reuters and UNN.
The F/A-XX program, which aims to replace the aging F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet that has served since the 1990s, is one of the largest defense projects in recent memory. It is designed not only to maintain the technological edge of the U.S. Navy but also to address rising concerns over China’s rapid military advancements. As Roman Schweizer, an analyst at TD Cowen, put it to Reuters, "China has been incredibly ambitious in prototyping 6th generation aircraft and fielding 5th generation fighters and bombers, so this award could be viewed as an important decision to keep pace."
Two American defense titans, Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman Corp., are locked in competition for the coveted contract to design and build the F/A-XX. The Navy could announce the winner as early as this week, though sources caution that last-minute snags have delayed progress in the past, and could do so again. According to UNN, Lockheed Martin, the producer of the F-35, is notably absent from the competition, having been ejected from the F/A-XX race earlier in 2025.
The new jet is expected to be a sixth-generation fighter, boasting improved stealth technology, a longer flight range, and the ability to operate in tandem with unmanned aerial vehicles. These features are seen as critical to the Navy’s ability to project power in an era when the role of aircraft carriers and their air wings is being closely scrutinized. The F/A-XX will also be designed to integrate seamlessly with the Navy’s carrier-based air defense systems and uncrewed combat aircraft, further enhancing its operational flexibility.
The urgency behind the F/A-XX program is not just about keeping up with rivals; it’s about ensuring that the Navy is not left without a modern carrier-based fighter in the 2030s and beyond. Delaying the program or starving it of funds could, as some defense officials warn, undermine the fleet’s ability to project power at a time when global threats are evolving rapidly.
Yet, the road to this point has been anything but smooth. The program was delayed for several months in the spring and summer of 2025 due to a funding dispute between the Pentagon and Congress. The Department of Defense initially requested $74 million for minimal development funding, while some Pentagon officials advocated for a delay of up to three years, citing concerns about engineering and supply chain capacity. According to Reuters, there were also internal debates about whether Boeing could marshal enough engineers after being awarded the contract to build the U.S. Air Force’s F-47 jet in March, and whether Northrop Grumman could handle the additional workload given the ballooning costs of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program.
Congress, however, was determined to press forward. Lawmakers included $750 million for the F/A-XX in the 2025 budget as part of a massive tax-cut and spending bill signed into law this summer, and earmarked an additional $1.4 billion for fiscal 2026. This commitment has put the program back on track, with the contract’s value potentially reaching tens of billions of dollars over its lifetime—a scale comparable to the F-35 program.
Despite the focus on the F/A-XX, the Navy’s commitment to the F-35C remains strong, with plans to purchase more than 270 of these jets for its carrier fleet. However, the F/A-XX is seen as the linchpin for the next era of carrier-based aviation, intended to operate alongside the F-35C and gradually replace the Super Hornet as it is phased out by the 2040s. Serial production of the F/A-XX is expected to begin in the 2030s, with the first jets entering service later that decade.
The precise number of F/A-XX jets to be built, the total contract value, and the exact production timelines remain classified. Nevertheless, the stakes are high. As Reuters reports, the outcome of this competition will have far-reaching implications not only for the companies involved but also for the future of U.S. naval power projection in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
The F/A-XX’s advanced capabilities are expected to provide the Navy with a decisive edge. Improved stealth features will allow it to evade increasingly sophisticated enemy radar systems, while extended range and endurance will enable longer missions over the vast expanses of the Pacific. The integration with uncrewed aerial vehicles—sometimes called "loyal wingmen"—will allow a single piloted F/A-XX to command a small fleet of drones, multiplying its effectiveness in combat and reconnaissance missions. This is a leap forward from the current Super Hornet, which, despite upgrades, is ultimately a product of the late Cold War era.
For the defense industry, the F/A-XX project is a prize of enormous significance. The winner will not only secure a lucrative government contract but also play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of American military aviation. Both Boeing and Northrop Grumman have extensive experience with advanced fighter programs, but the scale and complexity of the F/A-XX will test their engineering prowess and management capacity. As the Reuters report notes, there are lingering concerns about whether either company can deliver on schedule, given their existing commitments and the challenging defense supply chain environment.
As the Pentagon moves closer to announcing its choice, questions remain about the broader future of naval aviation and the evolving role of aircraft carriers in U.S. strategy. Some analysts argue that the era of the supercarrier may be waning, with new threats such as hypersonic missiles and long-range anti-ship weapons challenging traditional concepts of power projection. Others contend that a new generation of stealth fighters, operating from advanced carriers, will ensure the Navy’s continued dominance for decades to come.
Whatever the outcome, the F/A-XX program represents a pivotal moment for the U.S. Navy and the defense industry. With billions of dollars at stake and the future of American air power hanging in the balance, the world will be watching closely as the Navy prepares to select its next flagship fighter.
The coming weeks promise to be decisive, as the Pentagon and the Navy finalize their choice and set the stage for the next chapter in American military aviation. The F/A-XX may still be years away from taking to the skies, but its impact is already being felt—in Washington, in the defense industry, and in the strategic calculations of nations around the globe.