Boeing Wins $20 Billion Contract for Next-Gen Navy Fighter Jet
Boeing has secured a major $20 billion contract to build the US Navy's next-generation carrier-based fighter jet, known as the F/A-XX. This win marks Boeing's second major military aviation triumph in successive years, following its victory in the 2025 Air Force F-47 program over Lockheed Martin.
The new stealth fighter will begin replacing aging F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers in carrier air wings starting in the 2030s. This contract win arrives alongside additional positive momentum for Boeing's defense and aerospace divisions, including a recent NASA announcement to use the company's Starliner capsule for up to five manned missions to the International Space Station.
The award marks a significant boost to Boeing's stock, with shares rising 2% in extended hours. In contrast, Northrop Grumman's stock fell 4.1%. The military success also helps offset ongoing commercial headwinds, as federal aviation regulators examine a recent software glitch impacting the company’s 737 Max line.
However, not all officials are optimistic about the contract win. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Secretary Steve Feinberg previously opposed launching the F/A-XX program due to concerns about whether domestic defense industrial capacity could handle two overlapping major jet developments.