Boeing 6th Gen Fighter - F/A-XX

[FlyGuy369]

F-47 Phoenix, another Ph- named multi-service jet like the Phantom was, let's hope they remember to put the gun on!

 

[Reddington777]

Im gonna go get hammered this weekend.

Still shocking to hear even though it was said before. Not sure how theyll have enough space where the new campus is being built. Forgot hornet line is closing down.

It should probably also be said that if the government ownership and constant recompetition part for the F-47 does pan out and also rings true for F/A-XX, it may well be that the OEM changes down the line - however difficult that may be.

 

[La-Fuente Technologies]

Boeing wins! Yikes.

https://breakingdefense.com/2026/09/boeing-navy-ngad-faxx-next-gen-fighter-competition-northrop/

Now Boeing's OFFICIALLY developing both Sixth-Generation fighter projects? That's...something

Maybe there will be some shared parts and technologies between the F-47 and the F/A-XX or it would just be a navy-compatible F-47 altogether. But given that the Navy wants something different from the Air Force, a wholly different aircraft with some shared technology and parts is more likely.

 

[La-Fuente Technologies]

Thats honestly shocking, cool picture though!

Same obscurity clouds as the F-47, but not so much that we see a bit more of it

 

[Reddington777]

Same obscurity clouds as the F-47, but not so much that we see a bit more of it

No canards, but the cockpit / nose looks exactly like the F-47 render. And ofcourse the 3d render has to be positioned at exactly the perfect angle so that those chine lines mean absolute nothing.

Still - if the fuselage is sufficiently different, insidersource can stay banned. We'll see in a few years.

 

[Hydroman]

Congrats to Boeing, their design from the start was dual-use and I hope they did not bite off more than they could chew and I wish much success. Now my speculations:

1. NG could be the principal subcontractor keeping the relationship as with F-18 E/F. If yes, NG building their section(s) in the new FL facility.
2. Boeing F/A-XX could also have some NG advanced configuration features from the NG platform.
3. If no to 1. NG working with Boeing, NG probably has a very advanced program going, possibly a high performance, VLO advanced strike platform (don't go crazy ribbing me right away, here me out). With B-2 and B-21, NG could offer an FB-23-like advanced platform, NG seems to be the strike platform master now and this makes sense.
4. LM ADP, more than likely an SR-72-type program and concentrating on advanced air-breathing LO reconnaissance, again, makes sense. See how programs are now being parsed out based upon the individual corp strengths. LM ADP U-2, RQ-170, legacy SR-71, Darkstar etc. They are also probably going to sell variants of Vectis.

Also, there is China and there massive build up. These advanced programs may have been in the works for while. Again folks, don't beat me up, just trying introduce some logic hear. Remember, there are US programs going which are pretty well hidden and more than likely in advanced development and flight testing. Times are changing my friends.

 

[Ainen]

Same obscurity clouds as the F-47, but not so much that we see a bit more of it

Steam clouds sealed the deal!

 

[FlyGuy369]

No canards

 

[helmutkohl]

This topic is for discussion of the expected announcement of a contract award for the US Navy F/A-XX and will be renamed once the chosen contractor is Northrop Grumman named.

Now that it's been decided, I've renamed it to Boeing

 

[In_A_Dream]

Northrop Grumman may still be involved in this. These days multiple contractors are involved and Boeing (and formerly McDonnell Douglas) has had NG perform a large number of the sub-contracting work.

Yes, NG is still a very large subsystems contractor (e.g. radar, EW, comms, composites, avionics).

 

[books]

It's a massive relief to see it awarded, and the render looks nice imo.

I was in the camp that interpreted the delay from early 2025 to now as an advantage to NG, due to continued development of B-21, the decision for AWACS to be space based & E-8s rather than the Wicker plan of Hawkeyes, the non-selection of the NG CCA despite rumors of its growing following last year, it's withdrawal from the Navy trainer program, and more. I definitely thought the remarks about only one contractor having the short term resources to get this done was an expression of skepticism about Boeing, schedule wise but not ability wise. Very interesting that the view from early 2025 turned out to still be the case.

Will also be interesting to see what materializes on the protest front. *IF* it was true that NG was assessed as having the capacity advantage, it makes one wonder which the Navy picked. No sour grapes on my part to Boeing or the ongoing legacy of McDD though. Ever since X-36 it's been thrilling to imagine what they might do next.