The Minister of Defense of USA Pete Hegsheth gave the “green light” last Friday (03.10.2025) to start the new generation program militant F/A-XX for US Navy, according to a senior US official citing Reuters.
The name of the company that will take over the construction project of the new US fighter jet is expected to be announced this week by Pitt Hegschez, unless there is a new late -minute delay.
Boeing and Northrop Grumman are the two companies competing for the production of F/A-XX, as Lockheed Martin has already been excluded from the race. It is recalled that Boeing has also produced the production of the F-47 US Air Force.
US Navy’s new stealth fighter will replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet that has been in service since the 1990s and will remain until the early 2040s.
The decision to proceed with the choice was taken by Defense Minister Pitt Hegschez on Friday, according to the US official.
The winner of the fighter tender could be announced already this week, one of the sources said. “However, last -minute problems have delayed the progress of the fighter in the past and could do it again,” sources said.
Delays in F/A-XX highlight broader questions about the future of Naval Air Force and the role of aircraft carriers in China. Delaying the program or lack of funds could leave US Navy without a modern fighter capable of operating from its aircraft carriers from the 2030s onwards, possibly undermining the fleet’s ability to promote its power.
The F/A-XX is expected to have advanced stealth capabilities, improved range and durability, as well as the ability to cooperate unmanned fighter aircraft.
Delays and budget problems
The program’s progress was significantly delayed last spring, as the Pentagon and Congress had a conflict over funding.
The Pentagon requested just $ 74 million for the new aircraft, as some officials had sought to delay the program for up to three years, citing concerns about engineering and capability of supply chain.
Congress and US Navy wanted to proceed with the contract. Congress approved $ 750 billion to accelerate the F/A-XX program in the huge tax cuts and expenditure bill this summer. In addition, it allocated an additional $ 1.4 billion for the program in the financial year 2026.
In addition to the funding dispute, there was also a debate over whether the companies, Northrop and Boeing, would find it difficult to build the aircraft within the timetable.
There were doubts about whether Boeing could deal with many engineers about the US Navy’s work, since it has already undertaken the construction of the Air Force’s fighter -generation fighter.
At the same time, Northrop Grumman would be burdened as it has undertaken the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Rocket Development Program, which aims to replace the old Minuteman III missiles, sources said.
The amount of F/A-XX aircraft, the value and precise schedules of the program remain confidential.
Source: onalert.gr