U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Gheset has officially launched the development program for the new carrier-based fighter F/A-XX to meet the needs of the United States Navy. This large-scale project aims to ensure the technical superiority of the American fleet in the air over the naval forces of China.
This is reported by Finway
Manufacturer Selection and Competition Details
According to received information, a decision was made last Friday to initiate the manufacturer selection process for the future fighter. The main contenders for the contract are two leading companies in the U.S. defense industry – Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman Corp. One of them will receive the order to develop the new carrier aircraft, which is expected to replace the current F/A-18E/F Super Hornets that have been in service since the 1990s. The announcement of the winner is anticipated soon.
F/A-XX Specifications and Program Budget
The F/A-XX will be a sixth generation fighter with advanced stealth capabilities, increased range, and the ability to integrate with unmanned combat systems. The implementation of the program was delayed for several months due to budget disputes between the Pentagon and Congress.
“The Department of Defense requested $74 million to support the minimum development phase, while some officials suggested postponing the project for three years. However, Congress insisted on accelerating it, allocating $750 million in this year’s budget and another $1.4 billion in the 2026 budget.”
Analysts note that the total contract cost could reach tens of billions of dollars, similar to the expenses for the F-35 program. The U.S. Navy is already planning to acquire over 270 F-35C aircraft for its aircraft carriers, but Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35, is not participating in the F/A-XX competition.