The Pentagon has awarded Boeing a $20 billion contract to develop the U.S. Navy’s next-generation fighter jets, officials announced Tuesday. The new aircraft, designated as the F/A-XX under the Next Generation Air Dominance program, is expected to replace the service’s current fleet of Super Hornets beginning in the 2030s.

This contract marks Boeing’s second major sixth-generation weapons system award during the second Trump administration. In March 2025, the company was selected by the U.S. Air Force to build a new stealth fighter, highlighting the Pentagon’s ongoing commitment to advancing its air combat capabilities through parallel development efforts.

Steve Parker, head of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, noted that delivering two advanced fighters simultaneously aligns with the company’s strategic goals. “We are ready and able to build multiple concurrent future combat aircraft franchise programs,” he said.

Pentagon Undersecretary Michael Duffey characterized the F/A-XX as a vital investment in national security and long-term air combat superiority. “We are joining forces with Boeing to field these capabilities,” Duffey said.

Boeing indicated that work is ongoing at its secure manufacturing facility in St. Louis, Missouri, which the company described as the largest of its kind in the United States. The technical specifications and program details of the F/A-XX remain classified under U.S. national security and export regulations.

Boeing had been competing for the contract with Northrop Grumman, which stated that its proposal included a highly survivable and digitally advanced sixth-generation fighter designed for the Navy. Northrop expressed anticipation to learn more about the Pentagon’s selection process following the award.

In testimony before a Senate panel in May 2026, Admiral Daryl Caudle, chief of naval operations, emphasized the critical need for the next-generation carrier-based aviation system to enhance reach, survivability, and lethality, particularly in coordination with unmanned systems. He warned that failure to field the new system on schedule could jeopardize air superiority, strike capabilities, and the long-term viability of carrier operations in contested environments.

The contract win represents a significant boost for Boeing, which has faced a challenging period following two fatal crashes of its 737 Max commercial jets in 2018 and 2019, along with a serious in-flight incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight in 2024. These issues contributed to a prolonged downturn for the company.

Boeing’s recovery efforts have heavily relied on increasing production of the 737 Max series, including progressing toward certification of the latest and largest model, the 737 Max 10. The new Navy contract is expected to help restore confidence in Boeing’s aerospace capabilities as it moves forward.