When the United States Air Force (USAF) began flying the F-22 Raptor, the 5th generation of combat aircraft came into being. Shortly after, the F-35 Lightning II took flight, and while both are incredibly capable aircraft, several ongoing projects have been hard at work launching the first 6th generation fighters. One of the most well-known models is the USAF F-47, which has experienced several delays. Although this program has received a lot of attention, the US Navy (USN) has also focused on creating a new 6th generation fighter, temporarily designated F/A-XX.
On September 29, 2026, the Department of War and the USN awarded the F/A-XX production contract to Boeing. The contract award is a major milestone in the defense procurement process as it moves the project into the development phase. The $20 billion contract is the start of what will eventually become the F/A-XX, as Boeing will now get to work producing multiple aircraft to fully test their airworthiness, all of their onboard systems, ground capabilities and weapons integration.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao described the award as an achievement that ushers in a new era for the USN, adding: “The sixth-generation fighter represents a generational leap in air superiority and will provide the world’s best aviators with unmatched capabilities to fight, win and return home safely.” » Although it is unclear when Boeing will begin deliveries, the program anticipates that the F/A-XX will replace the USN’s existing fleet of EA-18G Growlers and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, beginning in the 2030s.
The F/A-XX program and what the public knows
As you might imagine, the development of a new fighter jet is highly confidential regarding the projected capabilities and underlying technology that may emerge throughout the acquisition process. The U.S. government protects these secrets from disclosure, but when it comes to government procurement, it is largely a public process, thanks to funding from Congress. That said, much of the information regarding the ongoing F/A-XX program remains classified, but some information is publicly known.
This includes the USN’s plan to replace its existing fleet of F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers. The F/A-18 is a higher-tier fighter that forms the backbone of the USN’s aircraft carrier fleet. Its replacement by a 6th generation fighter is therefore a big deal. These aircraft are used for various missions, including as fighters and ground attack aircraft. In the meantime, the USN is replacing some of its older fighters with the F-35C Lightning II, which is the USN’s carrier-capable variant.
The high-tech EA-18G Growler is a specialized version of the F/A-18 used for electronic warfare, so the replacement of these and the F/A-18 with the F/A-XX indicates that the 6th generation fighter will be able to fully take over the respective roles of these aircraft. Like the F/A-18, the F/A-XX will be capable of carrying an aircraft carrier, which the DoW announcement explains as providing “advanced carrier-based power projection that extends the reach of the most agile and survivable airfields: the US Navy’s aircraft carriers.” He further explains that the new fighter will work in conjunction with the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) as well as the F-35C, so it will not replace the 5th generation fighter anytime soon.
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