Boeing Secures $20B Contract for Sixth-Generation Fighter Jet
The US Navy has awarded Boeing a contract worth more than $20 billion to develop its sixth-generation F/A-XX fighter jet, which will provide 'absolute air superiority' and replace some of the service's longtime combat aircraft. The deal is part of the Next Generation Air Dominance program and is expected to augment and eventually replace legacy F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers in the 2030s.
The new fighter jet will bring advances in mission systems and operational reach and capacity, but technical and program details remain classified under U.S. national security and export laws. Boeing's president and CEO of Defense, Space & Security, Steve Parker, said that the company's team is 'ready to execute this critical program'.
The F/A-XX will be able to extend the Navy's operational reach and work alongside both manned and unmanned aircraft, including Collaborative Combat Aircraft. It will also increase the capability of the unmanned aircraft it teams with.