Washington, DC, Sept. 30 – The Pentagon announced Tuesday that Boeing won the US Navy next-generation fighter contract known as F/A-XX. Boeing defeated Northrop Grumman for a twenty-billion-dollar development deal to build test aircraft under Next Generation Air Dominance. The program could reach hundreds of billions, with first jets in the 2030s. Boeing also won the Air Force F-47 sixth-generation fighter last year, securing two major awards.
St. Louis operations gain as Super Hornet production ends. Boeing invested in facilities for next-generation jets. Michael Duffey of the Pentagon called it a crucial national security investment. Shares of Boeing rose two point two five percent after hours as Northrop dropped three point five percent.
Years of delays ended after Congress funded seven hundred fifty million dollars in twenty twenty-five and one point four billion later. Lockheed Martin left the competition in March twenty twenty five. China fielding sixth-generation aircraft added urgency for a modern carrier fighter.
The F/A-XX features advanced stealth, improved range, and uncrewed integration. The Navy will buy more than two hundred seventy F-35C jets to operate alongside it. Super Hornets will fly into the twenty-forties. Boeing’s F/A-18 heritage aided the win for this vital Navy stealth fighter contract program.