The U.S. Navy is advancing with plans to field a new sixth-generation fighter jet, potentially positioning it ahead of the Air Force in next-generation fighter development. This initiative, known as the F/A-XX program, intends to replace the aging F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler, focusing on advanced stealth, range, and electronic warfare capabilities. Meanwhile, the Air Force’s equivalent program, the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, is facing delays due to high projected costs and strategic re-evaluation. This shift recalls the joint-branch use of the F-4 Phantom in the 1960s, which also bridged Navy and Air Force requirements with a single model.
Despite financial challenges, including recent budget cuts, Congress has mostly restored funding for the Navy’s F/A-XX. The Navy expects to select a contractor for the F/A-XX in the coming year, with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman as primary contenders. The Navy’s progress on this project marks a rare role reversal, with the Air Force potentially adopting technologies that emerge from the Navy’s development instead of leading the charge itself
