Navy Set to Announce Sixth-Generation Fighter Jet Contractor in August

The U.S. Navy is on track to select a prime contractor for its F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter jet program by August 2026, according to Admiral Daryl Caudle, the Chief of Naval Operations. The decision comes after a yearlong delay, with officials emphasizing the urgency of modernizing naval air combat capabilities in the face of evolving threats from peer competitors and adversaries.

The F/A-XX program aims to replace the Navy’s aging F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers with a stealthy, carrier-based fighter jet designed for advanced aerial combat. Boeing and Northrop Grumman are currently competing for the contract, which has been described as one of the Navy’s most high-profile modernization efforts.

The delay in the down-select process was attributed to concerns about overburdening defense contractors already managing other critical programs. Specifically, one contractor’s workload made it unable to meet the Navy’s desired timeline. Admiral Caudle highlighted a “check twice, cut once” approach to ensure the selected vendor can deliver without compromising existing priorities.

The Navy has requested $140 million in fiscal 2027 for continued F/A-XX research and development, including $68 million in discretionary funding and $72 million from a future reconciliation package. The program received significant Congressional support in FY26, with nearly $1.7 billion allocated, far exceeding the initial Navy request.

The selection of Boeing or Northrop Grumman will mark a pivotal moment for the defense industry. A win for Boeing would solidify its position as a leading fighter jet producer under the Trump administration, while a Northrop victory would represent its first major fighter contract in over five decades. The decision is expected to reshape the aviation industrial base landscape and set the stage for future advancements in naval air power.