Key Points and Summary – Northrop Grumman has revealed a “conceptual” rendering of its F/A-XX sixth-generation naval fighter, offering a glimpse into the future of carrier-based airpower.
-The design is extremely stealthy, featuring a blended wing-body and no visible vertical tails, suggesting a “paradigm-changing” technological leap.
-While some observers have noted similarities to the legendary YF-23 prototype, the new design is likely a far more advanced platform.
-It leverages Northrop’s unparalleled experience with the B-2 and B-21 stealth bombers to create what could be the stealthiest carrier-launched fighter jet ever conceived.
YF-23: The New F/A-XX?
Northrop Grumman has revealed a “conceptual” rendering of its F/A-XX 6th-generation stealth fighter offering, presenting an extremely stealthy-looking jet image.
It certainly seems possible that the rendering could place Northrop at the forefront of the ongoing competition to build the Navy jet.
While the image is merely “conceptual,” showing a forward view of the front half of the jet, it reveals a smoothly blended front half with horizontally configured inlets above the wings. The front view of the image does not show any tails or protruding structures; however, the back end may include vectoring “tails” or “fins.”
Previous sketches, however, have shown a completely horizontal fuselage configuration, a design model indicating a potential technological breakthrough. If a stealth fighter jet can maneuver and “vector” successfully without requiring vertical “fins,” it would suggest a potentially paradigm-changing technological advancement.
Stealth Advancement?
Naturally, a fully horizontal fuselage would introduce more of a “bomber” like stealth configuration, as ground-based enemy radar systems have fewer clear structures off of which to bounce an electromagnetic “ping.” This silhouette means air defense radar would be less likely to detect a “shape” or rendering of an aircraft, as there would be fewer protruding structures, configurations, or “shapes” with the potential to generate a structured or detectable “return” signal.
Furthermore, the available image shows smoothly configured, rounded horizontal engine inlets on top of each wing, something which appears quite “stealthy.” More angled engine inlets beneath a fighter jet fuselage would seem more likely to generate a “return” signal to enemy air-defense radar detection systems. Essentially, it seems possible that Northrop’s F/A-XX could present the stealthiest carrier-launched fighter jet ever to exist, meaning it could fly with a radar cross section that is “lower” or “less detectable” than a stealthy F-35C.
Nonetheless, several critical questions related to the jet’s sensing, computing, mission systems, weapons fire control, and thermal management remain unanswered. The back end of the fuselage, which is not visible in the available recent Northrop rendering, might offer some indication of the extent to which the jet’s exhaust or heat signature is managed.
An initial observer’s eye view of the Northrop image would suggest that, like most stealthy aircraft, there is an internally buried engine less likely to emit heat, and the back end or tail of the aircraft would offer some indication of how exhaust or “heat” is emitted from the aircraft. The shape of exhaust structures visible in renderings of 6th-generation aircraft suggests that there may be emerging technology designed to reduce heat emissions further or manage thermal signatures.
YF-23 Comeback?
Some news reports have suggested that Northrop’s F/A-XX design might indicate that the defense giant is bringing back or “re-introducing” a stealth jet configuration similar to its YF-23 Black Widow II offering submitted years ago during the previous competition for the “F-22.” While Lockheed was, of course, ultimately chosen to become the F-22, Northrop’s YF-23 did present an extremely “stealthy” looking jet.
Could Northrop be proposing a carrier-launched, F-22-like high-speed stealthy jet?
6th-Gen Technology Beyond Y-23
It seems more likely that Northrop is offering a 6th-generation aircraft far more advanced than its previous YF-23 offering for a number of key reasons. First, the back end of Northrop’s F/A-XX image is not visible, and while the YF-23 includes vertical “fins,” it seems entirely possible that Northrop’s new aircraft is entirely horizontal.
This design would mean that, in a manner similar to the F-47, the F/A-XX would be a “stealthier,” more horizontal kind of blended wing-body without vertical “tails.” Part of the rationale for why Northrop’s F/A-XX rendering might contain stealth breakthroughs lies in the fact that Northrop is known to operate at the forefront of technological advancement and sophistication in the realm of stealth technology. Not only did Northrop design and build the B-2, but the firm is also now building a new generation of stealth with its emerging B-21 Raider.
It seems entirely realistic that Northrop might be capable of engineering an extremely stealthy, fully horizontal “bomber-like” configuration with the speed and agility of a next-generation fighter aircraft.
Therefore, examining the available image of Northrop’s F/A-XX, it would seem that Northrop engineers are more likely to be producing an entirely new generation of stealth fighter technology that exceeds the capabilities woven into its YF-23 years ago. While Northrop’s work on its YF-23 is likely to have influenced its F/A-XX design, it seems far more likely that the defense giant has now taken new, paradigm-changing leaps forward in the realm of stealth fighter technology, which far surpasses any innovations woven into its YF-23 years ago. In a simple sense, it seems unlikely that Northrop would offer 1990s-era stealth technology.
About the Author: Kris Osborn
Kris Osborn is the President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Master’s Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
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JOEL CARLSON
August 28, 2025 at 8:02 pm
YOU DO REALIZE ZERO THIS FIGHTER IS ALREADY BEING DEVELOPED. RIGHT ???? YEARS AHEAD AS ALWAYS. CHINA,LETS HOPE YOU SINK INTO YOUR COMMUNIST HOLE, YOU LIVE IN.