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F/A-XX downselect expected in August as Navy narrows to Northrop Grumman vs. Boeing and flags schedule risk

The Navy’s sixth-generation carrier-fighter competition for F/A-XX has narrowed to Northrop Grumman and Boeing. The service expects a next step toward selection by August, but Adm. Daryl Caudle said one bidder lacks capacity to deliver on the Navy’s timeline. The program also continues moving after Congress rescued it from budget delays.

Discovered 2026-04-20T08:20:47.941579-07:00 | 2026-04-20T08:20:47.941579-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • A key milestone for the Navy’s next carrier air-wing fighter is approaching: the F/A-XX downselect is slated for August, with CNO-level scrutiny on whether bidders can meet the schedule.
  • The competition’s narrowing to Boeing and Northrop Grumman comes as lawmakers previously restarted early work and pushed additional funding—setting up industrial planning and supply-chain decisions for both teams (source:9fa1dfbd-deb3-47ba-8eee-0b479753e3b0).
  • The Navy’s emphasis on timing follows recent reporting that program execution has been delayed by strategy and industrial-base disputes among the Navy, White House, and Congress, which directly affects acquisition choices and fielding timelines (source:569fd5db-cf74-4556-ab4a-8be9e9b3aecd).

Reported By

defcrosnews.com 19fortyfive.com worldwarwings.com FlightGlobal aerospaceglobalnews.com The Aviationist
Sources Tracked
14
First Seen
2026-04-20T08:20:47.941579-07:00
Latest Update
2026-04-26T20:22:58.926748-07:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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