Pentagon Nears Decision on US Navy's F/A-XX Stealth Fighter Contract

The US Navy's next-generation stealth fighter contract is nearing its decision stage, with Boeing and Northrop Grumman competing for the lucrative deal. According to sources briefed on the matter, the Pentagon could announce the winner within weeks or sooner.

The programme, designated F/A-XX, has faced years of delays and funding disputes. However, Congress intervened by allocating $750 million in 2025 followed by another $1.4 billion in fiscal 2026, pushing the project forward.

The stakes are high as China rapidly fields advanced combat aircraft, including those described as sixth-generation. The US Navy needs a modern fighter capable of operating from aircraft carriers in the 2030s and beyond.