# Navy Awards Boeing $20B F/A-XX Contract

On September 29, 2026, the U.S. Navy selected Boeing for the F/A-XX sixth-generation carrier-based fighter’s full-scale development phase, an award valued at more than **$20 billion**. The work includes multiple test aircraft for ground, airworthiness, systems, and weapons-integration testing. The aircraft is intended to begin augmenting and eventually replacing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers in the 2030s, operate alongside the F-35C, and interoperate with manned and unmanned aircraft. Boeing’s St. Louis operation is identified as the program’s production location; technical details remain classified, and the signals identify no open solicitation or procurement contact.

- The prime competition is concluded; Northrop Grumman was the competing bidder. The development and testing effort may create follow-on supplier and subcontracting work in aircraft systems, weapons integration, test support, and manufacturing.
- Suppliers can use the disclosed program scope and St. Louis production location to assess relevant capabilities and pursue Boeing supply-chain or subcontracting channels. No specific open opportunity is identified in the signals.
- The aircraft’s planned 2030s transition creates a long-term Navy modernization program, while the Navy’s separate **$16.7 million** award for planning the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G production-line shutdown signals a parallel transition in the carrier-aircraft industrial base.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** September 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- United States Navy (USN)
- U.S. Department of War (DoW)
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)

### Vendors
- Boeing Co. (prime contractor and awardee)
- Northrop Grumman Corp. (unsuccessful bidder)

### Key Quotes
> We think the award suggests the Navy placed significant weight on Boeing’s manufacturing capacity and ability to deliver at scale.
> — Roman Schweizer, Analyst, TD Cowen

> Delivering two advanced fighters in parallel was always our plan, and we invested accordingly. We are ready and able to build multiple concurrent future combat aircraft franchise programs.
> — Steve Parker, Boeing defense chief

### Sources
- [Holy Shit Boeing won F/A-XX

@TomcatJunkie 

https://t.co/dR7MGsGMj0](https://x.com/mario_thayer/status/2105067406397960631) - twitter-defense
- [The Department of War confirms.

https://t.co/ZAAM9zGc8O](https://x.com/NatSec_News/status/2105050542946828652) - twitter-defense
- [Department of War and U.S. Navy Award Contract for F/A-XX Program | U.S. Department of War https://t.co/23fJ9vjYnc 

The F/A-XX will provide advanced carrier-based power projection that extends the range of the most agile and survivable airfields: U.S. Navy carriers. In addition,](https://x.com/matiere/status/2105085530996371556) - twitter-defense