U.S. officials and informed sources have revealed that, after months of delay, the Pentagon will select a defense company earlier this week to design and manufacture the next-generation invisible naval fighter aircraft.

Boeing and Northrop Grumman are competing to produce this aircraft, called the F/A-XX, which will replace the U.S. Navy¡¯s F/A-18E/F ¡°Super Big Bear¡± fleet, which has been in service since the 1990s.

Reported by Reuters.

U.S. officials and people familiar with the matter said that U.S. Defense Secretary Hagerseth made the decision to advance the option last Friday. A person familiar with the matter said the U.S. Navy could announce the winner of the fighter jet manufacturing bid as early as this week. But sources said that in the past, last-minute obstacles have delayed the development of U.S. Navy fighter jets, and this situation may happen again. The U.S. Navy and the Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment.

The F/A-XX is expected to have advanced stealth capabilities and greater endurance capabilities, and be able to integrate with unmanned combat aircraft and naval shipborne air defense systems.