Photo: Boeing Boeing has been selected by the U.S. Navy to produce its F/A-XX aircraft under a multi-billion-dollar contract, marking the company's second major U.S. sixth-generation fighter program.
The F/A-XX is being developed as the Navy's next-generation carrier-based fighter and is intended to eventually replace the service's fleet of F/A-18 Super Hornets. According to Boeing, the program will focus on open mission systems architecture, advanced mission systems and increased operational reach and capacity.
Boeing said the award follows decades of development work and investment in facilities, technology and its workforce to support future combat aircraft programs.
"It’s an honor to be selected to produce the Navy’s first sixth-generation platform," said Steve Parker, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. He said the company is prepared to execute the program using new facilities designed to support next-generation aircraft production.
The F/A-XX contract is Boeing's second selection for a sixth-generation fighter program. The company was awarded the U.S. Air Force's F-47 program in 2025, allowing it to work on two advanced fighter aircraft programs for the U.S. military.
"Delivering two advanced fighters in parallel was always our plan, and we invested accordingly," Parker said. "We are ready and able to build multiple concurrent future combat aircraft franchise programs."
Boeing is continuing construction of a secure manufacturing facility in St. Louis that it describes as the largest of its kind in the United States. The facility will form part of an all-digital aerospace design and manufacturing system.
The company said investment is also being made in technology and personnel alongside its manufacturing infrastructure.
Technical and program details of the F/A-XX remain classified under U.S. national security and export laws, meaning details about the aircraft's capabilities and the value and structure of the contract have not been publicly disclosed.