F/A-XX

The U.S. Navy is developing and currently flight testing a new long-range air-to-air missile that will far exceed the capabilities of the AIM-120 and likely the recently disclosed AIM-174B as well.

RENO, Nevada—With about one week left in August, the U.S. Navy is still hopeful an announcement will be made on awarding its next-generation fighter though it is out of the service’s hands.

The U.S. Navy in the coming weeks is expected to make a series of decisions to reshape its future aviation force, but now it appears that the service first needs to clear the fog on the carriers it needs to operate them.

The Week Ahead In Aerospace & Defense

The U.S. Navy is seeking concepts for long-range, carrier-based uncrewed aircraft with a preference for vertical takeoff capabilities.

“It’s a different Boeing showing up,” said Steve Parker, Boeing Defense, Space and Security CEO, ahead of major fighter decision.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

The U.S. Navy needs to move forward with fielding a next-generation fighter to keep carrier-based air superiority going ahead, Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao says.

Aircraft procurement would more than double for the Navy under the new Pentagon spending plan.

One of the two companies vying for the F/A-XX contract lacks the capacity to deliver the fighter on time, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle says.

As a long-awaited contract award for the F/A-XX program looms, budget and technical challenges still await for the Navy’s next carrier-based fighter.

The Pentagon has pledged that it is moving forward on the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX fighter program under congressional direction in recent bills.

Aviation Week’s recently released 2026 Military Fleet & MRO Forecast identifies open requirements for the delivery of 6,513 new-build military aircraft worth $250 billion over the next decade.

Lawmakers are blasting the Pentagon for wasting time and money for the U.S. Navy fighter program.

For almost a year, the Pentagon’s pause and review of the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX program has tested the patience of the competitors.

The Pentagon says there is a commitment to deliver a new U.S. Navy fighter even as the F/A-XX source selection process remains stalled and industrial base capacity is uncertain.

Northrop Grumman says building a sixth-generation U.S. Navy fighter is needed for the health of the industrial base.

Navy aviation forces await the downselect for the sixth-generation fighter, citing the need for future air superiority and sea control.

A new rendering of Boeing’s proposed F/A-XX design provided to Aviation Week indicates the company may be incorporating parts of its design for the U.S. Air Force’s F-47.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Adm. Daryl Caudle, the nominee to be the U.S. Navy's next Chief of Naval Operations, has warned against not proceeding with the F/A-XX fighter program.

Editors gather after GASCC on the eve of the Royal International Air Tattoo to discuss the latest developments in air power as U.S. budget season impacts programs.

Forcing the U.S. Navy to move forward on the F/A-XX program would slow the U.S. Air Force F-47 program, the Trump administration argues.

HASC passed its fiscal 2026 defense policy bill, looking to block some key moves in the DOD proposal and raising the fleet size of USAF mobility aircraft.

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) looks to add $30 billion to the Pentagon’s budget, while blocking some aircraft retirements and increasing F-35As.