SOURCE: AFI
The U.S. Navy is poised to take a significant step forward in its pursuit of next-generation air dominance, with plans to announce the company selected to develop and build its carrier-based sixth-generation fighter, known as the F/A-XX. According to a Reuters report published today, the Navy is expected to reveal the contract award for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the F/A-XX program “this week,” based on insights from unnamed sources familiar with the decision. This move mirrors a similar announcement anticipated from the U.S. Air Force regarding its own sixth-generation fighter, signaling a coordinated push to modernize America’s military aviation capabilities.
The timing of the Navy’s decision is notable, coming just one month after Adm. James W. Kilby assumed the role of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) on February 26, 2025. Kilby’s early tenure appears to be marked by a decisive effort to advance the Navy’s future fighter program, which is critical for maintaining superiority in carrier-based operations amid evolving global threats.
Reuters’ report, authored by veteran defence correspondent Mike Stone, builds on his earlier scoop last week about the Air Force’s imminent sixth-generation fighter announcement. Stone’s latest piece underscores a pivotal moment for the U.S. military, as both the Navy and Air Force accelerate their timelines for deploying advanced fighters designed to counter emerging challenges from peer adversaries like China and Russia.
The F/A-XX program represents the Navy’s vision for a stealthy, highly advanced fighter capable of operating from aircraft carriers, succeeding the current F/A-18 Super Hornet and complementing the F-35C Lightning II. Unlike its predecessors, the sixth-generation platform is expected to incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as enhanced stealth, artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, and potentially even directed-energy weapons. The EMD phase, which follows initial design and prototyping, will see the chosen company refine and begin production of the aircraft, setting the stage for its integration into the fleet.
While the Reuters report did not name the company slated to win the F/A-XX contract, speculation has long centered on major defence contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman, all of which have extensive experience in fighter development. Lockheed Martin, the maker of the F-35, and Boeing, which produces the F/A-18, are seen as frontrunners, though Northrop Grumman’s work on stealth technologies and the B-21 Raider bomber keeps it in contention. The decision will likely hinge on a combination of technological innovation, cost considerations, and the ability to meet the Navy’s demanding timeline.
This announcement, if confirmed, underscores a broader trend of modernization across the U.S. military’s aviation branches. The Air Force’s sixth-generation fighter, part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, is similarly aimed at replacing aging platforms like the F-22 Raptor. By aligning their timelines, the Navy and Air Force may be signaling a unified strategy to leverage shared technologies and streamline development costs—an approach that could prove vital as defence budgets face scrutiny.
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