The Pentagon is preparing to unveil its pick for the aerospace giant that will build the Navy’s next-generation stealth fighter, a decision with billion-dollar implications—and serious national defense consequences.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to announce later this week whether Boeing or Northrop Grumman has secured the prized contract to develop the F/A-XX, a replacement for the decades-old F/A-18 Super Hornet fleet, Newsweek reported.
The long-awaited decision follows a frustrating delay, caused by a bureaucratic tug-of-war over defense funding that stalled progress on a jet critical to countering growing threats—particularly from China.
Next-Gen Jet to Replace Aging Super Hornets
The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the Navy’s current frontline fighter, has served faithfully for three decades. But like any aircraft of its generation, time has taken its toll, both on the airframes and the technology onboard.
The F/A-XX is expected to be leaps ahead: engineered with advanced stealth, extended operational range, and deep integration with uncrewed combat aircraft. It’s the kind of leap American air power needs to maintain an edge—not fall behind.
Hegseth made his final decision on the contractor last Friday, with an official announcement now imminent. Reuters reports that the decision could be revealed as soon as this week.
Contractor Choice Narrowed Down to Two Giants
Only two contenders remain in the ring: Boeing Co., the longtime steward of the Super Hornet program, and Northrop Grumman, which helped revolutionize stealth decades ago with the B-2 Spirit.
Either choice represents a major investment in American aerospace—but the nuances matter. The F/A-XX isn't just another fighter; it's a key tool in America’s Indo-Pacific toolkit, as tensions with China continue to rise.
Per Reuters, the jet's role is “central to countering the military threat posed by China.” You don’t get language like that unless the stakes are crystal clear.
Budget Headaches Nearly Grounded the Program
Progress on launching the F/A-XX program has been anything but smooth. Original plans to announce the winner earlier this year fell victim to Washington’s signature gamesmanship over money.
As reported by Reuters in March, the announcement was delayed due to a spending clash between the Pentagon and Congress. A predictable standoff that nobody asked for—but everyone expected.
Then came the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act, which imposed spending caps that forced the Navy to delay approximately $1 billion for the project, according to Defense Scoop.
Trump-Era Funding Set Foundations Despite Cuts
In a rare moment of fiscal realism, the Trump administration managed to allocate $74 million in research and development for the F/A-XX. That’s less than what the Navy had envisioned, sure—but it was at least a start.
Contrast that with the stagnation we've seen under leadership that claims to be “modernizing the force” while penny-pinching the very tools that make modernization possible. You can’t out-innovate your enemies by saying nice things at a press conference.
Now, with funding bottlenecks reportedly resolved, Reuters suggests the Pentagon is finally prepared to move forward—hopefully before the next budget fight starts all over again.
