Wednesday, September 30, 2026 300 stories · 2830 outlet reports compared

Boeing wins Navy contract to build F/A-XX next-generation fighter jet

The Pentagon announced Tuesday that Boeing has been selected to build the U.S. Navy's sixth-generation carrier-based fighter, the F/A-XX, beating out Northrop Grumman.

By The Lumen desk · Sept 30, 2026 · 1 min read
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What we know
1 Boeing was selected to build the Navy's F/A-XX next-generation fighter jet.
2 The Pentagon announced the contract on Tuesday, per CNBC and Reuters.
3 According to Bloomberg, Boeing beat Northrop Grumman for the contract.
4 The F/A-XX will succeed the Navy's Super Hornet fleet, according to Axios.
5 According to Axios, the contract is worth more than $20 billion.

Boeing has won a U.S. Navy contract to build the F/A-XX, a next-generation carrier-based strike fighter set to replace the Super Hornet fleet, according to Reuters, CNBC and the Pentagon.

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Bloomberg reported that Boeing beat Northrop Grumman for the contract. Military Times said Boeing was officially selected to build the sixth-generation fighter, dubbed F/A-XX.

According to Axios, the deal is worth more than $20 billion and follows years of what it described as clandestine competition and multiple contracting false alarms. Axios also reported that Boeing is separately building the Air Force's F-47 fighter.

The Pentagon announced the contract on Tuesday, according to CNBC and Reuters.

How each side covered it

Left

1 outlet
  • Bloomberg reported Boeing beat Northrop Grumman for the Navy jet contract, framing it as a win over a named competitor.

“Boeing Beats Northrop for Navy Jet Contract to Replace F-18” — Bloomberg

Center

7 outlets
  • Reuters and CNBC reported the Pentagon announced Boeing's selection for the contract.
  • Military Times detailed that the F/A-XX is a sixth-generation carrier-based strike fighter.
  • Axios reported the contract is worth more than $20 billion and noted years of delayed competition.
  • Axios highlighted that Boeing is also building the Air Force's F-47 jet, unveiled in an Oval Office address.

“Boeing nabs $20B contract for Navy's futuristic fighter” — Axios

Questions readers ask

What happened with Boeing and the Navy's F/A-XX contract?

The Pentagon announced that Boeing was selected to build the U.S. Navy's F/A-XX, a next-generation carrier-based fighter jet, beating competitor Northrop Grumman, according to Bloomberg, Reuters and CNBC.

What is the F/A-XX fighter jet?

The F/A-XX is a sixth-generation carrier-based strike fighter that will succeed the Navy's Super Hornet fleet, according to Military Times and Axios.

How much is the Boeing Navy contract worth?

According to Axios, the contract is worth more than $20 billion.

Is Boeing building other fighter jets for the U.S. military?

Yes, according to Axios, Boeing is also constructing the Air Force's F-47 fighter jet.

When was the Boeing F/A-XX contract announced?

The Pentagon announced the contract on Tuesday, according to CNBC and Reuters.

Sources · 9 outlet reports

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