After weeks of uncertainty, the United States Navy received financial relief with the Senate’s approval of $1.4 billion for the F/A-XX program, a sixth-generation naval fighter.
The funding had been temporarily suspended to prioritize the Air Force’s F-47 NGAD, but now allows the Navy to move forward with selecting a winning design focused on a carrier-capable fighter, distinct from the Air Force’s model.
Vice Admiral Daniel Cheever, commander of Naval Air Forces, emphasized that the F/A-XX will replace the Super Hornets F/A-18E/F and the Growlers E/A-18G, operating alongside the F-35C. He highlighted that the aircraft will be fully designed for carrier operations, combining strike capabilities and air superiority, essential to ensuring global maritime control.
The Navy plans to introduce the fighter in the 2030s, following the evolution of aircraft generations from the fourth to the sixth.
The program also envisions integration with unmanned platforms like the MQ-25 Stingray, which will perform aerial refueling and other strategic functions. The initiative represents an expansion of the “sixth-generation combat network,” combining manned aircraft and collaborative drones, enabling the Navy to maintain air superiority and power projection against emerging threats.
Source: The Aviationist | Photo: X @Fighterman_FFRC | This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team
Northrop Grumman releases 6th Gen F/A-XX concept rendering on its official website pic.twitter.com/rq8IqID5WV
— Fighterman_FFRC (@Fighterman_FFRC) August 7, 2025
