Boeing Wins $20 Billion Navy F/A-XX Fighter Contract
Boeing secured a $20 billion contract to develop the U.S. Navy's sixth-generation F/A-XX fighter, consolidating both military sixth-generation programs under one contractor.
The United States Navy awarded Boeing Defense, Space & Security a contract valued at more than $20 billion for the full-scale development of the F/A-XX, a sixth-generation carrier-based strike fighter. Announced by President Donald Trump and the Department of War, the award follows Boeing's March 2025 selection for the Air Force's F-47 program, making the company the sole supplier of sixth-generation fighters for the U.S. military. Boeing defeated Northrop Grumman in the competition, while Lockheed Martin had been previously eliminated.
Designed as part of the Next Generation Air Dominance program, the F/A-XX will replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets starting in the 2030s. The aircraft will operate alongside F-35C jets and unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft to provide absolute air superiority and extended operational reach in the Pacific. Boeing will manufacture the aircraft at a new, secure facility in St. Louis, Missouri, which is planned to be the largest of its kind in the United States.
While the contract caused Boeing shares to rise and signaled a turnaround for its defense division, analysts raised concerns regarding the company's ability to manage multiple concurrent advanced programs at its St. Louis site. Additionally, Boeing continues to face commercial headwinds, including a software glitch delaying 737 Max 10 certification and ongoing labor negotiations. The Navy also recently awarded Boeing a $562 million contract for MQ-25A Stingray unmanned refuelers and tasked the company with supporting the closure of legacy F/A-18 and EA-18G production lines.
