The Department of War and U.S. Navy awarded a development contract for the F/A-XX program on Sept. 29, setting the course for the service’s next-generation carrier-based strike fighter.
The aircraft is designed to replace the aging F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and represents one of the most consequential defense procurement decisions of the decade. The F/A-XX will complement the F-35C Lightning II in the carrier air wing.
The contract was executed before the Sept. 30 fiscal year-end deadline, reflecting the program’s high priority within the Navy’s acquisition portfolio, the department said. Full contract value and the identity of the winning contractor were expected in a subsequent Department of War contract announcement.
The F/A-XX program has been in development planning for years as the Navy’s fleet of Super Hornets approaches the end of its projected service life. The new aircraft is expected to incorporate advanced sensors, stealth characteristics and weapons capabilities suited to contested environments in the Western Pacific and elsewhere.
The award marks a generational shift in naval aviation acquisition. Previous carrier fighter transitions — from the F-14 Tomcat to the F/A-18 Hornet, and from the Hornet to the Super Hornet — reshaped naval aviation doctrine and industrial partnerships for decades.
Boeing, Lockheed Martin and other major defense contractors have been developing concepts for the program. The competition has been closely watched by defense industry analysts and congressional appropriators.
The timing of the award at the end of the fiscal year allows the Navy to obligate development funds before they expire and ensures program continuity heading into fiscal year 2027.
Naval aviation experts have described the F/A-XX as critical to maintaining U.S. carrier strike group relevance as potential adversaries — particularly China — continue advancing their own naval air capabilities and anti-ship missile systems.