F/A-XX Award Shines Spotlight On U.S. Carrier Wing Future

Steve Trimble Brian Everstine October 09, 2026

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) — Credit: MC 2nd Class Michael Shen/U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy’s pick of Boeing to build its next-generation F/A-XX fighter brings the service’s future carrier air wing into clearer focus. Starting in the 2030s, the Boeing-made jet will begin replacing the company’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers as the cornerstone of the carrier...

Steve Trimble

Steve covers military aviation, missiles and space for the Aviation Week Network, based in Washington, DC.

Brian Everstine

Brian Everstine is the Pentagon Editor for Aviation Week, based in Washington, D.C.

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