Washington, D.C. — The Pentagon officially selected Boeing to build the US Navy’s next-generation fighter jets, signing a $20 billion contract announced Tuesday. The deal secures Boeing’s role in producing the F/A-XX "strike fighters" under the Next Generation Air Dominance Program, a move that locks in the manufacturer for the coming decade of naval aviation.
This isn’t Boeing’s first win under the current administration. In March 2025, the Air Force also chose the company for a new stealth fighter. Steve Parker, head of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, said the firm has been building capacity for exactly this scenario. "Delivering two advanced fighters in parallel was always our plan, and we are ready and able to build multiple concurrent future combat aircraft franchise programs," Parker stated. Construction is already underway at Boeing’s St. Louis facility, which the company describes as the largest secure manufacturing site in the US.
The financial stakes are high, and the market reacted instantly. Boeing shares climbed 2.4 percent in after-hours trading. Northrop Grumman, the primary competitor, saw its stock drop 3.6 percent. Northrop issued a brief statement Tuesday, calling its proposal a "highly survivable, digitally advanced sixth-generation fighter" and saying it looks forward to receiving more details on the selection process. The Pentagon did not disclose specific technical reasons for choosing Boeing over Northrop, citing national security and export laws.
The urgency behind the contract stems from the aging Super Hornet fleet. Admiral Daryl Caudle, chief of naval operations, warned a Senate panel in May 2026 that delaying next-gen carrier aviation capabilities "will introduce risk to air superiority, strike reach and the long-term viability of carrier-based operations in contested environments." The new jets are expected to operate alongside unmanned systems, extending the Navy’s reach and lethality.
Pentagon Undersecretary Michael Duffey called the F/A-XX a "crucial, non-negotiable investment" in long-term air combat. The first delivery is targeted for the 2030s, a timeline officials say is non-negotiable to maintain air dominance. Investors are now watching closely for the first official design specifications, which remain classified, and the start of full-scale production in St. Louis.