Boeing wins the US Navy’s next-generation carrier fighter contract

The Department of War and the US Navy said on Tuesday that they have chosen Boeing to build the Navy’s next-generation fighter jet². The Pentagon announced the deal, which is worth more than $20 billion^10,12. Boeing’s win in the F/A-XX competition means the company’s sixth-generation aircraft will succeed the Super Hornet fleet, long relied upon and recently employed across the Middle East¹⁰. The new jet is intended to replace the F/A-18⁵.

Boeing shares responded. The stock rose about 2% after hours¹ and about 3% in later trade². Fox News reported the deal is worth more than $20 billion and is meant to deliver absolute air superiority¹¹.

Why it matters to investors

Michael Duffey, under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said the F/A-XX platform represents a crucial, non-negotiable investment, and that the Pentagon is joining forces with Boeing to field the capabilities^5,6. Boeing Defense chief executive Steve Parker pointed to investments in new facilities uniquely suited to build multiple products with next-generation capabilities³. The company said it is ready and able to build multiple concurrent future combat aircraft franchise programmes⁷.

The award sits on top of an existing franchise. Boeing is also constructing the Air Force’s F-47, previously unveiled in an Oval Office address featuring President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth¹⁰.

What to watch

The contract arrives after years of delay and dispute. Last year the Pentagon tried to delay the award over concerns that the country’s defense industry does not have enough engineering capacity⁴. Axios said the announcement came after months of squabbling between the White House, Pentagon, lawmakers and industry, and after multiple contracting false alarms¹⁰.

USNI News put the estimated value at about $20 billion and noted that Congress approved funding for the programme as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 defense budget⁸. Defense News reported the selection alongside a wider international arms build-up, including a 27% rise in Russian military spending for 2027⁹. Aviation Week confirmed Boeing as the winner of the F/A-XX competition⁶.

Reuters confirmed the Pentagon’s announcement of Boeing as the winner⁴, and Aviation Week reported the same outcome in the F/A-XX competition⁶. The Turkish outlet Yeni Safak reported the Pentagon announcing a $20 billion contract with Boeing for the sixth-generation aircraft¹². SCMP reported that Boeing said construction was continuing at the facilities intended for the work⁵.