U.S. Navy nears decision on F/A-XX stealth fighter contract

The U.S. Navy is nearing a decision on which aerospace company will manufacture the F/A-XX, a next-generation stealth fighter designed to succeed the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The competition has narrowed down to two primary candidates: Boeing and Northrop Grumman. Lockheed Martin, despite its history with the F-22 and F-35, was excluded from the selection process in 2025, though it may potentially serve as a subcontractor due to its stealth technology expertise.

Admiral Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, indicated that the Navy's internal evaluation was finalized in mid-August. The final selection now rests with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. While an announcement was originally anticipated for August, the exact timing remains uncertain.

The F/A-XX project represents the Navy's first search for a carrier-based fighter specifically designed for such operations since 1983. The aircraft is intended to complement the F-35C Lightning II and work alongside future unmanned aerial systems. A primary driver for the new design is the need for significantly increased range to counter modern anti-ship missile threats.