Source: Direct News
U.S. sixth-generation hidden fighter F/A-XX regeneration variable. originally by the U.S. Department of Defense at the earliest last week will determine the contractor for the development and construction of the aircraft, but until the 12th there is no conclusion.
The F/A-XX project began in April 2012. At that time, the U.S. Navy's original idea was to develop a multi-functional platform that could replace both the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft. But 13 years have passed, and at the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Navy, it is still the Super Hornet that performs a fighter flight show for Trump who boarded the USS George Bush aircraft carrier.
On October 5th, US President Trump boarded the aircraft carrier George Bush.
It is worth noting that during the National Day Mid-Autumn holiday, Central TV announced to the outside world the relevant details of the "Liberation Army J-16 locking two US military F-22 hidden fighter jets at the same time" and broke the myth of the American hidden fighter jets. According to Reuters reports, almost the same time after the details were disclosed, US Defense Secretary Hector Hertz made a decision to advance the F/A-XX contract selection work. It is not difficult to see that pressure from China forced the United States to press the accelerator key for the F/A-XX project. The relevant reports pointed out that "if the project continues to delay or insufficiently funded, by the 21st century and beyond, the U.S. Navy may fall into a disaster with no modern shipping aircraft
F-47 Fighter Lockheed Martin Company Effect Map (data map)
The stall is too big to do it
It should be pointed out that the F/A-XX, as the next-generation carrier-based aircraft, is the responsibility of the U.S. Navy. In the sixth-generation aircraft plan of the United States, in addition to the Navy's F/A-XX, the Air Force's F-47 is also under development. In contrast, the latter's progress is obviously smoother. Currently, the F-47 has entered the manufacturing stage of the first prototype. It is expected to make its first flight in 2028 and will be put into service in 2029. However, the F/A-XX, which has been difficult to produce, has been left repeatedly postponed and its prospects are unclear. The latest report shows that Hegseth approved the contractor selection process for the project after "months of hesitation." This lag highlights the U.S. Navy's dilemma in bureaucratic approvals and internal doubts, and is in clear contrast to the U.S. Air Force's more decisive attitude towards advancing the next-generation air superiority platform project.
F/A-XX fighter Boeing renderings (data map)
As two separate services, the U.S. Air Force and Navy have their own unique missions, cultures, and areas of combat. In actual operations and daily operations, the relationship between the Air Force and the Navy is close and complex, with both coordination and resource competition. Especially in terms of the defense budget, new equipment procurement and the allocation of strategic influence, there is fierce internal competition between the two, and both need to strive for more resources and support under the overall planning of the Ministry of Defense.
Therefore, budget constraints and priority allocation are core challenges for the F/A-XX project. In the spring and summer of this year, a funding dispute between the Pentagon and the U.S. Congress hindered the progress of the project. The Pentagon had requested $74 million for the fighter jet project to maintain its "minimum R & D funding." In May this year, the Pentagon prepared to cut the F/A-XX budget and move it to other projects. In June, the House Defense Committee originally submitted the settlement bill signed by Trump. The budget added to the "Defense Section" to "accelerate the development" of the F/A-XX project was also requested by the US Department of Defense to be transferred to the Air Force's F-47 project.
Northrop Grumman renderings of F/A-XX fighter aircraft (data map)
At the time, media reported that the reason for the Ministry of Defense to do this was that "pursuing the development of two sixth-generation fighter jets may lead to the risk of delayed delivery." Bloomberg reported that the Department of Defense's application documents submitted to the Defense Policy Committees of the House and Senate in May stated that in view of the delays and increased costs of various aircraft models, the Department of Defense recommended giving priority to concentrating resources to develop the F-47. Reserve a "technical maturity period" for the Navy's F/A-XX. After the Air Force completed the initial development of the F-47, the F/A-XX plan will be implemented in stages, which can alleviate the pressure on military production capacity. The reason given by Hagerseth is more direct, that is, because the F-47 "has the full support of the president." However, the U.S. Congress ultimately rejected the Department of Defense's request to adjust funding.
So, how much does the F/A-XX have to invest from conception to physical objects? Let's take the F-47 as an example. According to the fiscal year 2025 budget, the U.S. Department of Defense plans to invest approximately US$2.7 billion to advance the system development and demonstration of the F-47; entering fiscal year 2026, the budget will further increase to approximately US$3.5 billion, with a cumulative period of five years (2025 - 2029) The planned investment exceeds US$19.6 billion.
However, the development costs of the F/A-XX will also go far beyond the land-based F-47. Because the naval fighter aircraft must meet the unique needs of the aircraft carrier, including providing reinforcement structures for launching and blocking landing, while also integrating with the drone system, and also having the increased range and duration required for aircraft carrier operations.
Boeing's "Super Hornet" fighter jet (data map)
Who will eventually fall?
It is still unknown who won the F/A-XX contract, but the two bidders-Boeing Company and Northrop Grumman Company-have become the focus of attention. As a long-term supplier of the F/A-18E/F "Super Hornet", Boeing has accumulated decades of aircraft carrier adaptation technology, including take-off and landing durability, multi-mission integration and logistics support system, which is consistent with the F/A-XX's shipborne requirements are highly compatible. In addition, after Boeing won the Air Force F-47 sixth-generation fighter contract in March 2025, its advanced stealth materials, AI network systems and adaptive engine technology can also be directly reused in F/A-XX, potentially reducing research and development costs and accelerating Engineering manufacturing development stage. These advantages make it a popular candidate.
As the developer of the B-2 and B-21 strategic bombers, its advantages in low observable coating, radar absorption materials and sensor fusion technology can be directly applied to the F/A-XX’s hidden ship design needs. The X-47B ship-bound unmanned attack aircraft demonstrates its potential in the field of unmanned/man-cooperative combat, which is also highly matched with the F/A-XX’s network center warfare and collaborative capabilities with unmanned aircraft.
Although both companies have advantages, they are facing production capacity and budget challenges.Will Boeing, which holds the F-47 contract, still have enough resources, including technicians, production equipment, etc., to invest in the F/A-XX project?Noslop Grumman, who is suffering from the over-cost and delay pressure of the “Guard” intercontinental missile project, will be able to fulfill the contract on time if he receives an order for the F/A-XX?
Faced with China’s significant progress in recent years in the fields of high-speed weapons, the number of naval ships, artificial intelligence and cyber warfare capabilities, it is clear that the United States has realized that its global hegemony is being challenged and its strategic advantage in the Asia-Pacific region may be lost. In addition to the loss and urgency, the United States is more deeply strategic anxiety.