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3w ago

Pentagon Clears Navy F/A-XX Downselect, With Boeing and Northrop as Finalists

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized an imminent pick to keep the next carrier fighter on schedule against China’s advances.

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, in Quantico, Virginia, U.S., September 30, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS
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The concepts of the two contenders for the F/A-XX aircraft, Northrop Grumman (left) and Boeing (right). (Image credit: Northrop Grumman and Boeing, edited by The Aviationist)

Overview

  • The Navy could announce the winner this week, according to multiple reports, though officials note last‑minute snags have delayed past steps.
  • Boeing and Northrop Grumman remain in contention after Lockheed Martin was eliminated earlier in the competition.
  • The F/A-XX is slated to replace F/A-18E/F Super Hornets in the 2030s with greater stealth, longer range and teaming with uncrewed aircraft as part of the Navy’s NGAD family.
  • Congress restored funding after a dispute with the Pentagon over pacing, and lawmakers also set aside additional fiscal 2026 money to keep the program moving.
  • Defense officials weighed industrial capacity risks, citing Boeing’s simultaneous Air Force F-47 work and Northrop’s Sentinel ICBM pressures, while program quantities, value and timelines remain classified.