Key Points – The US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter program faces a potential three-year delay as the Pentagon, under the Trump administration, reportedly seeks to prioritize the Air Force’s F-47 NGAD program and divert F/A-XX funding to it, citing industrial base concerns about running two major fighter programs simultaneously.
This move, which would shift hundreds of millions from the F/A-XX FY2025 budget, is meeting strong pushback from the Navy and key Congressional leaders like HASC and HAC-D Chairman Ken Calvert, who argue the carrier-borne stealth fighter is a critical and urgent requirement for countering China in the Indo-Pacific.
Navy’s F/A-XX 6th Gen Fighter Entering Operational Test and Live Fire Evaluation
The United States Navy’s F/A-XX 6th generation fighter went from its long-standing Developmental Test and Evaluation period to a combination of Developmental Testing (DT), Operational Testing (OT), and Live Fire (LF) evaluation last month.
In April, United States officials reported that the F/A-XX aircraft was in the late stages of development during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee.
The Navy is down to two bidders for the program, Boeing and Northrop Grumman. Lockheed Martin is no longer involved as its aircraft didn’t meet the mission criteria set down by the Navy.
The Navy told Naval News that it hasn’t awarded a contract yet, but the decision is expected soon. But it seems the Air Force has shot down the Navy’s F/A-XX … for now.
Pentagon Wants To Focus On One Aircraft At A Time
In breaking news on Thursday afternoon, the Pentagon is reportedly prioritizing the Air Force’s F-47 stealth fighter amid concerns about how to run the two efforts simultaneously.
Last month, a US official informed TWZ that the F/A-XX program was pending and that its future was still under review. This information came after reports that a contract award for the Navy’s new combat jet could be delayed by up to three years. Navy officials, meanwhile, continue to stress the importance of the F/A-XX to their plans.
“There’s certainly a strong requirement for a sixth-gen fighter still,” Dr. Brett A. Seidle, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research and Development, said yesterday. “I know there’s a lot of discussion about [F/A-XX] right now, but the Navy position on that is there’s a requirement that’s necessary,” Seidle added.
The Pentagon warned last month in a request to the House and Senate defense policy committees that “Simultaneously pursuing two sixth-generation fighters risks under-delivery on both.”
“Given the schedule delays and cost growth across numerous airframes, DoD recommends a focus on the F-47, giving the Navy’s F/A-XX program time for technical maturity and development,” the Pentagon request added. “Phasing the F/A-XX after the Air Force’s initial F-47 development will alleviate capacity concerns in the industrial base.”
A turf battle is ongoing between the Air Force and the Navy, and it appears that the Air Force, with the support of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump, has won this round.
The Pentagon requested that $500 million be diverted from the F/A-XX program and be directed to the new F-47 project. However, the House Armed Services Committee is now seeking to block the funds from being redirected to the F-47, arguing that the Pentagon hasn’t provided an adequate reason for this.
Heather Vaughan, a committee spokesperson, said that the Pentagon “has yet to brief the committee on any changes for its plans to develop and procure” for the Navy’s new stealth jet.
“Absent any new information from the Navy concerning revision to defined capability gaps and shortfalls, mission requirements, cost, or acquisition strategy for F/A-XX, the committee continues to support the development of this critical platform,” Vaughan added.
Ken Calvert (R-CA), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee on Defense, pushed back against any attempts to stop or slow the US Navy’s current fielding plans for F/A-XX during an oversight hearing in May, pushing back against the rumors of funding changes and cancellations.
“We need sixth-generation fighters. The US Navy needs sixth-generation fighters. I am concerned that any hesitancy on our part to proceed with the planned procurement of sixth-generation fighters for the Navy will leave us dangerously outmatched in a China fight. We cannot wait.”
The F/A-XX, The Navy’s Needed 6th-Gen Stealth Fighter
The Navy is looking to field a replacement for its F/A-18 Super Hornet fleet, and at least until now, the branch has been clear that this new carrier fighter will not be the same jet as the Air Force’s F-47.
The Navy’s F/A-XX is expected to be much stealthier than even the F-35C, which is currently operating off the Navy’s carriers. The F/A-XX is also likely to operate with the loyal wingman concept.
However, the prominent feature that the Navy is looking for, especially in the Indo-Pacific, is more range. The F/A-XX design, according to US Navy Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, will feature a 25% increase in range compared to current tactical aviation platforms, such as the F/A-18E/F and F-35C.
That may not even be enough. As Alex Hollings, from Sandboxx and Air Power, wrote, “China’s anti-ship missile arsenal has greater reach than America’s current carrier-based fighters, meaning American carriers can’t sail close enough to the fight to scramble fighters without serious risk of being hit.
“A new fighter with even greater range would allow U.S. carriers to remain outside the reach of these weapons, while still scrambling sorties into the fight.”
The Navy needs new fighters to compete against China, which, by most accounts, is going to happen sooner rather than later. The F-35C and the F-22 Raptor, which can be forward deployed, are outstanding aircraft. But the lack of range will put our carriers at risk, as well as it support ships.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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