Overview
- Northrop Grumman published the first official F/A-XX concept art on August 7, showcasing a stealthy blended-wing design with top-mounted air inlets and carrier-specific landing gear.
- The F/A-XX is slated to be the Navy’s sixth-generation strike fighter within its Next Generation Air Dominance Family of Systems, intended to replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in the 2030s.
- Key envisioned capabilities include artificial intelligence-assisted sensors, manned-unmanned teaming led by platforms like the MQ-25 Stingray, and an estimated 25 percent increase in operational range.
- Defense funding plunged from $454 million in FY2025 to $74 million for FY2026, prompting the Navy to request $1.4 billion on its FY2026 Unfunded Priorities List to keep development on track.
- Pentagon and White House deliberations over resource competition with the Air Force’s F-47 program have fueled Navy leadership and congressional appeals to preserve the F/A-XX initiative.