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The U.S. Department of War has awarded Boeing a contract worth more than $20 billion for the full-scale development of the U.S. Navy’s sixth-generation F/A-XX strike fighter, marking a major step toward replacing the Navy’s aging F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

The contract covers the production of multiple test aircraft for ground testing, airworthiness evaluation, systems integration, and weapons integration. The aircraft is expected to begin entering service in the 2030s and will operate alongside the F-35C while gradually replacing the Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets.

The F/A-XX is being developed as part of the Navy’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) effort and is intended to extend the reach and capabilities of the carrier air wing.

The Navy has identified increased range as an important requirement for the new aircraft. The effective strike range of carrier-based aircraft has become a growing concern as potential operating environments have become more challenging and distances between carriers and targets increase.

The F/A-XX is therefore expected to provide a longer-range, survivable aircraft capable of operating in contested airspace while working with other manned and unmanned systems.

Michael P. Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment, described the aircraft as a key part of the U.S. effort to maintain its future air combat capabilities.

“The F/A-XX is a critical pillar in our commitment to maintaining peace through strength. F/A-XX will dominate contested airspace, extend operational reach, and deliver a decisive combat advantage for the warfighter,” Duffey said. He added that the program represents a major investment in U.S. national security and long-term air combat capabilities.

Designed to Work with Unmanned Aircraft

A central part of the F/A-XX concept is its ability to operate with unmanned aircraft, including the Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

The Navy envisions future carrier air wings combining advanced manned aircraft with groups of unmanned systems capable of carrying out missions alongside their crewed counterparts.

The F/A-XX is expected to control and coordinate with CCAs, increasing the capabilities of the unmanned aircraft it operates with. The broader concept involves linking manned fighters, unmanned aircraft, sensors and weapons into a connected combat network.

The Navy is already developing its CCA capability, with General Atomics, Boeing, Anduril and Northrop Grumman working on unmanned aircraft. Lockheed Martin is developing a related ground control system.

The Navy has also sought additional CCA designs as it continues work on the future carrier air wing. The MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based unmanned tanker is another part of this future air wing. The Boeing-built aircraft is intended to refuel carrier aircraft in flight and extend their operational reach, although its development has faced production delays.

Replacing Super Hornets

The F/A-XX is planned to enter service as the Navy begins retiring its F/A-18E/F Super Hornets in the 2030s. The aircraft will also operate alongside the F-35C Lightning II, giving the Navy a future carrier air wing built around multiple complementary aircraft types.

The Navy has gradually shifted its concept for the F/A-XX. Earlier discussions focused heavily on the aircraft carrying large numbers of long-range weapons, sometimes described as a “missile truck.” More recent plans emphasize a stealthy aircraft capable of penetrating contested areas and coordinating unmanned systems against air, land, and maritime targets.

The aircraft will form part of what the Navy describes as a broader family of systems rather than operating as a standalone fighter. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said the program represents a major change for the service.

“This achievement marks a new era for the U.S. Navy,” Cao said. “The Sixth-Generation fighter is a generational leap in air superiority and will provide the world’s best aviators with unparalleled capabilities to fight, win, and come home safe.”

Range Remains a Key Requirement

One of the main challenges for the Navy will be balancing the aircraft’s range with the physical limitations of operating from aircraft carriers.

Naval analyst Bryan Clark of the Hudson Institute told USNI News that range would be one of the most important characteristics of the aircraft, particularly without considering its ability to work with unmanned aircraft.

For a carrier-based fighter, greater range generally requires greater fuel capacity and efficiency, while the aircraft must still fit within the size and operational limits of a carrier.

The Navy is also developing its F/A-XX alongside the U.S. Air Force’s own sixth-generation fighter program. The Air Force’s F-47 is a land-based aircraft and therefore does not face the same carrier-related size constraints.

Boeing Expands Sixth-Generation Fighter Role

The F/A-XX contract gives Boeing a second major U.S. sixth-generation fighter program. Boeing was previously selected in 2025 to develop the U.S. Air Force’s F-47. The company said its investments were designed to allow it to work on both advanced fighter programs at the same time.

“It’s an honor to be selected to produce the Navy’s first sixth-generation platform,” said Steve Parker, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Parker said Boeing had invested in facilities, technology and personnel to support multiple future combat aircraft programs.

The company is continuing construction of a secure manufacturing facility in St. Louis, Missouri, which Boeing says will support advanced aerospace design and manufacturing.

Program Details Remain Classified

While the Department of War has disclosed the value of the development contract, many technical and program details remain classified.

The Navy has provided limited information about the F/A-XX’s detailed specifications, including its exact design, weapons, sensors, propulsion, and performance characteristics.

Congress approved $1.7 billion for the F/A-XX program as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 defense budget, according to Department of War budget documents. The more than $20 billion full-scale development contract now moves the program into a major development and testing phase.

Boeing is expected to produce multiple test aircraft before the F/A-XX moves toward operational deployment in the 2030s, when it is planned to become a central element of the Navy’s future carrier air wing.