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The US Navy has awarded Boeing a contract worth more than $20 billion to develop its sixth-generation F/A-XX strike fighter, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday.
The agreement, issued under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, includes several test aircraft for ground testing, airworthiness evaluations, systems testing and weapons integration, according to the Pentagon.
F/A-XX designed for contested airspace
Michael P. Duffey, the US under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, described the F/A-XX as a key part of efforts to preserve US air superiority and improve the military’s ability to operate in contested environments.
“The F/A-XX is a critical pillar in our commitment to maintaining peace through strength,” Duffey said. “F/A-XX will dominate contested airspace, extend operational reach, and deliver a decisive combat advantage for the warfighter.”
Carrier-based next-generation aircraft
Duffey said the program represented a major investment in the United States’ future air-combat capabilities. He added that the department would work with Boeing to accelerate development and deploy highly networked systems.
The F/A-XX is being designed as a carrier-based aircraft intended to extend the operational reach of the US Navy’s aircraft carrier fleet.
