Caudle: Navy plans to announce F/A-XX prime contractor in August

The Navy expects to select a prime contractor for its F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter jet in August 2026, according to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle. This decision comes after a yearlong delay, with the Trump administration prioritizing the Air Force's F-47 fighter jet in fiscal 2026 due to concerns about the defense industrial base's capacity. Boeing and Northrop Grumman are the two remaining contenders for the contract, which will replace the Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers. The Navy is requesting $140 million in fiscal 2027 for F/A-XX research and development, following nearly $1.7 billion received in FY26. The upcoming selection will significantly impact the aviation industrial base, marking either Boeing's second major fighter contract or Northrop Grumman's first in over five decades.