US Navy’s next-gen aircraft contract award expected this week
The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet will be replaced by the F/A-XX programme’s sixth-generation aircraft. (Photo: USN)
The F/A-XX programme is the US Navy’s answer to improving air superiority against the rising threat of China in the Indo-Pacific.
The US Navy (USN) intends to pick a contractor for its next-generation aircraft this week, according to sources close to the matter, as reported by Reuters.
The two companies still in the running are Boeing and Northrop Grumman, since Lockheed Martin reportedly bowed out of the bid in March 2025.
This latest news follows the awarding of the US Air Force’s (USAF) Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) contract to Boeing on 21 March. Furthermore, the US Senate confirmed John Phelan as the Trump administration’s Navy Secretary on 24 March and he is expected to be sworn in over the next
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![SOF Week 2026: US Army to conduct trials with Mountain Horse’s containerised drone launcher]()
SOF Week 2026: US Army to conduct trials with Mountain Horse’s containerised drone launcher
The Mountain Horse Containerised Autonomous Drone Delivery System has been engineered for dispersed, forward UAV operations. It can store, protect, charge, launch and recover drones.
-
![SOF Week 2026: AFSOC unveils deployable Block II OA-1K Skyraider II]()
SOF Week 2026: AFSOC unveils deployable Block II OA-1K Skyraider II
AFSOC has revealed a new Block II variant of the OA-1K Skyraider II featuring rapid deployment and reassembly capabilities designed to support expeditionary special operations missions.
-
![British Army's Project Nyx progress reflects MoD investment in autonomous system]()
British Army's Project Nyx progress reflects MoD investment in autonomous system
The UK MoD said it would narrow down the competitors from four to two later in the year, with those selected going on to develop the prototype drone that will operate as loyal wingman to the British Army’s Apache AH-64E helicopters.
