전투기 Re: 보잉이 F-47에 이어 F/A-XX도 제대로 만들 능력이 되는지가 관건

[위종민]

세인트루이스 공장을 늘리긴 하는데, F-47, F-15EX, T-7도 그 곳에서 만들 거라 F/A-XX도 제대로 만들 수 있을 지를 걱정하네요. 

보잉의 F/A-XX 개념도. 이미지: 보잉 제공

F-47 제작사 보잉, 미 해군 F/A-XX 6세대 전투기 사업 수주

2026년 9월 29일 | 스티븐 로지

미 해군은 신형 항모 탑재 6세대 전투기 F/A-XX 개발을 위해 200억 달러가 넘는 계약을 보잉에 수여했다. 보잉은 미 공군의 6세대 전투기 F-47도 개발하고 있다.

“F/A-XX는 힘을 통한 평화를 유지하겠다는 우리의 약속에서 핵심적인 기둥입니다.” 마이클 P. 더피 미 국방부 획득·유지 담당 차관은 9월 29일 국방부 발표에서 말했다. “F/A-XX는 경쟁이 치열한 공역을 지배하고 작전 반경을 확장하며 전투원에게 결정적인 전투우위를 제공할 것입니다. F/A-XX 플랫폼은 미국의 국가안보와 장기적인 공중전 능력을 위한 중대하고 협상의 여지가 없는 투자입니다.”

국방부 발표에 따르면 F/A-XX는 2030년대부터 노후화된 F/A-18E/F 슈퍼호넷과 EA-18G 그라울러를 먼저 보강한 뒤 결국 대체하게 된다. 해군과 해병대가 모두 운용하는 항모 탑재형 F-35C 합동타격전투기와 함께 운용될 예정이다.

이번 선정으로 보잉은 미군을 위해 개발 중인 6세대 항공기 3종 가운데 2종을 제작하게 됐다. 보잉은 2025년 3월 F-47로 미 공군의 6세대 전투기 사업 계약도 따냈다. 반면 미 해군 차세대 공중우세 전투기 사업에서 끝까지 경쟁에 남았던 유일한 다른 업체이자 미 공군 B-21 레이더 제작사인 노스럽그러먼은 탈락했다.

“우리는 이러한 능력을 신속하게 전력화하기 위해 보잉과 힘을 합치고 있습니다. 이를 통해 우리 전투원들이 침략을 억제하고, 논쟁의 여지 없는 전력을 투사하며, 절대적인 제공권을 확보하는 데 필요한 치명적이고 고도로 네트워크화된 체계를 갖추도록 할 것입니다.” 더피는 말했다.

국방부 발표에 따르면 F/A-XX는 협동전투항공기(CCA)로 알려진 미 해군의 반자율 무인기와 함께 비행하고 이를 통제할 수 있게 된다.

“이번 성과는 미 해군의 새로운 시대를 알립니다.” 훙 카오 해군장관 대행은 말했다. “6세대 전투기는 공중우세 분야에서 세대적 도약이며, 세계 최고의 비행사들에게 전투하고 승리하며 안전하게 귀환할 수 있는 전례 없는 능력을 제공할 것입니다. 우리는 보잉과 협력하게 된 것을 기쁘게 생각하며, 우리 전투원들이 계속해서 하늘을 지배하고 국가의 적을 격파할 수 있기를 기대합니다.”

첨단 스텔스 능력 역시 6세대 항공기의 핵심 특성으로 여겨진다.

현재는 퇴역한 마이클 도넬리 전 해군 소장은 해군 항공전 부문 책임자로 재직하던 2025년 4월 회의에서 F/A-XX가 미 해군의 마지막 유인 전투기가 될 수도 있다고 말했다.

“이 기체는 실제로 해군이 운용하는 마지막 전술 유인 전투기가 될 수도 있습니다.” 도넬리는 메릴랜드주 내셔널하버에서 열린 Navy League의 Sea Air Space 회의에서 말했다. “실제로는 사람이 루프 안에 있는 방식보다 사람이 루프를 감독하는 방식에 더 가까워질 것이며, 2040년대 향후 유인항공기와 무인 플랫폼을 결합한 하이브리드 항공단으로 완전히 통합되는 과정의 가교 역할을 하게 될 것입니다.”

도넬리는 당시 기자들에게 F/A-XX가 급유가 필요해지기 전까지 현재의 해군 전투기보다 25% 이상 더 멀리 비행할 수 있을 가능성이 높다고 말했다. F/A-18 슈퍼호넷의 전투반경은 약 1,275해리이며, 이는 F-35C 합동타격전투기의 1,200해리 이상인 전투반경보다 약간 더 길다.

“그것이 F/A-XX의 핵심 특성입니다.” 도넬리는 2025년에 말했다. “기본 항속거리가 분명히 더 길 것이며, 공중급유를 받을 수 있다면 급유가 가능한 한 사실상 무제한이라고 말할 수도 있습니다.”

현재 F-47로 지정된 미 공군 차세대 공중우세 전투기의 개념도. 이 기체 역시 보잉이 설계했다. 미 공군 그래픽

보잉은 성명에서 F/A-XX가 “개방형 임무체계 아키텍처, 첨단 임무체계, 작전 반경과 작전능력의 발전을 혁신할 것”이라고 밝혔다.

“미 해군 최초의 6세대 플랫폼을 생산하도록 선정된 것은 영광입니다.” 보잉 방산·우주·보안 부문 사장 겸 최고경영자 스티브 파커는 회사 성명에서 말했다. “수십 년간의 작업을 기반으로 하고, 판도를 바꾸는 혁신으로 강화됐으며, 차세대 능력을 갖춘 여러 제품을 생산하기에 특별히 적합한 신형 시설에 우리가 투자하면서 더욱 확고해졌습니다. 헌신적이고 유능한 우리 팀은 이 중대한 프로그램을 수행할 준비가 돼 있습니다.”

보잉은 F/A-XX의 기술적 세부사항과 사업 관련 세부사항은 기밀이기 때문에 공개할 수 없다고 밝혔다.

오랜 기간 방산 분야를 분석해온 J.J. 거틀러는 미 해군이 보잉을 선택함으로써 보잉이 현재 미 공군의 F-47 6세대 전투기에서 수행하고 있는 작업을 활용할 수 있을 것이라고 말했다. 이러한 연계는 F/A-XX 개발 과정을 가속하고 더 빨리 생산에 들어가게 할 수 있다.

“F-47을 기반으로 하거나 F-47과 공동 개발됐다면 아주 빠르게 항공기를 띄울 수 있을지도 모릅니다.” 거틀러는 Air & Space Forces Magazine에 말했다.

거틀러에 따르면 보잉은 현재 F-47 개발이 진행 중인 미주리주 세인트루이스에서 첨단항공기 생산시설 확충에 대규모 투자를 해왔다.

보잉은 세인트루이스에서 미 공군용 F-15EX 이글 II 전투기와 T-7 레드호크 훈련기도 생산하고 있다. 실제로 같은 9월 29일 국방부는 F-15EX 전투기 22대를 추가로 생산하는 23억8,000만 달러 규모 계약을 보잉에 수여했다.

보잉은 세인트루이스의 보안 제조시설 건설이 아직 진행 중이며, 이 시설이 “세계에서 가장 첨단화된 완전 디지털 방식의 항공우주 설계·제조체계의 일부가 될 것”이라고 밝혔다.

“첨단 전투기 두 종류를 병행해 인도하는 것은 항상 우리의 계획이었고, 그에 맞춰 투자했습니다.” 파커는 말했다. “우리는 여러 미래 전투항공기 핵심사업을 동시에 생산할 준비와 능력을 갖추고 있습니다.”

거틀러는 보잉이 여러 핵심 군용항공기에 대한 약속을 실제로 이행할 수 있을지는 두고 봐야 한다고 말했다.

“보잉의 신형 첨단항공기 시설 가운데 얼마나 많은 부분을 F-47이 사용하는지 우리는 모릅니다.” 거틀러는 말했다. “F-15EX 생산량도 늘고 있습니다. T-7도 거기에서 만들고 있습니다. 이 F/A-XX를 빠르게 생산할 수 있을 만큼 충분한 인력이 있을까요?”

보잉의 F/A-XX 수주가 회사에 의미하는 것과 앞으로의 과제

이번 선정은 예를 들어 보잉의 인력이 또 하나의 대형 프로그램을 어떻게 떠안을 것인지에 대한 의문을 제기한다.

다이애나 스탠시, 마이클 매로
2026년 9월 29일 오후 9시 55분

폭풍 구름이 보잉 세인트루이스 본사 상공에 몰려들고 있다. 사진: 마이클 매로/Breaking Defense

워싱턴 — 보잉이 미 해군의 6세대 타격전투기 개발사업에서 최종 승자가 됐다. 경쟁사 노스럽그러먼을 꺾고, 노후화된 F/A-18 슈퍼호넷과 EA-18G 그라울러를 대체할 항공기를 생산하게 된 것이다.

하지만 200억 달러가 넘는 이번 수주로 보잉이 미국의 6세대 전투기 전력에 강력한 장악력을 갖게 됐음에도, 이제 과제는 실제로 이를 제대로 수행할 수 있느냐는 데 있다고 계약 결정 전 Breaking Defense와 인터뷰한 분석가들은 말했다.

분명한 것은 이번 승리가 보잉 방산 부문의 대대적인 반전을 확고히 했다는 점이다. KC-46 공중급유기와 T-7 훈련기를 포함한 주요 항공기 프로그램에서 수년간 어려움을 겪은 뒤, 보잉이 2025년 3월 미 공군의 F-47 전투기 사업을 수주한 것은 이미 회사에 중요한 전환점이었다.

“보잉 입장에서는 놀라운 반전의 큰 한 걸음이 될 것입니다. 저물어가는 기존 전투기 프로그램의 전통적인 제조업체에서 미국 전투기의 미래를 장악한 회사로 바뀌는 것이죠.” AeroDynamic Advisory의 리처드 아불라피아 전무는 말했다.

신미국안보센터의 선임연구원이자 방위 프로그램 책임자인 스테이시 페티존도 비슷한 평가를 내리며, F/A-XX 수주는 “보잉에게 완전한 진자운동과 같은 변화”라며 “전투기 생산라인을 닫게 될지도 모른다고 생각하던 상황에서 6세대 전투기 대형 계약 두 건을 모두 보유하게 됐다”고 말했다.

그러나 분석가들은 보잉이 여러 대형 생산사업을 동시에 수행하려는 과정에서 잠재적인 문제가 나타날 수 있다고 경고했다.

“가장 먼저 떠오르는 질문은 얼마나 빨리 실용적인 F/A-XX를 생산할 수 있느냐입니다. 이는 실제로 이미 개발한 F-47을 얼마나 많이 기반으로 하고 있는지의 문제이기도 합니다.” AeroDynamic Advisory의 선임고문이자 전 미 의회조사국 군사항공 분석가 제러마이아 거틀러는 Breaking Defense에 말했다. “두 설계가 상당한 공통점을 가지고 있거나 실제로 공동 개발됐다면, 예상보다 훨씬 빨리 F/A-XX가 비행하는 모습을 볼 수도 있습니다.”

그러나 거틀러는 보잉의 세인트루이스 생산시설에서 인력 문제가 발생할 수 있다고 말했다. 보잉은 이미 F-47과 미 공군용 T-7A 레드호크 훈련기 계약을 확보했기 때문이다.

“이들은 같은 공장단지에서 F/A-XX, F-47, T-7, 그리고 크게 늘어날 예정인 F-15EX 생산을 모두 동시에 수행하려 할 것입니다.” 거틀러는 말했다. “이 모든 생산라인을 동시에 높은 생산률로 가동하는 데 필요한 인력을 보유하고 있으며, 또 확보할 수 있을까요?”

미첼 항공우주연구소의 더그 버키 전무도 인력 수요에 대한 우려를 제기했다.

“초기 프로그램의 인력 수요가 F-47과 F/A-XX 사이에서 적절히 균형을 이루도록 보장하는 것은 선제적으로 관리해야 할 문제입니다. 하지만 관리 가능한 과제이기도 합니다.” 버키는 말했다.

계약 발표 뒤 투자자들에게 보낸 메모에서 TD Cowen의 로먼 슈바이처는 투자자들이 보잉이 제안 가격을 어떻게 책정했는지와 계약 구조가 어떻게 돼 있는지를 면밀히 살펴볼 것이라고 말했다. 이 두 문제는 모두 과거 보잉 프로그램에서 문제를 일으킨 적이 있다.

“이번 수주는 해군이 보잉의 생산능력과 대규모 인도능력을 상당히 중요하게 평가했음을 시사한다고 봅니다.” 슈바이처는 말했다. “해군 수뇌부는 이전부터 산업 생산능력과 일정 위험이 의사결정의 중요한 요소라고 시사해왔으며, 보잉은 지난 몇 년 동안 세인트루이스의 시설과 디지털 엔지니어링 역량에 대규모 투자를 해왔습니다.”

보잉이 해군과 공군 모두를 위한 전투기를 생산할 수 있는지에 대한 우려는 2025년에도 제기됐다. 당시 백악관은 F-47 일정 유지를 위해 사실상 F/A-XX 예산 지원에 반대하는 취지의 입장을 내놓았다. 이날 발표에서 보잉 방산 부문 책임자 스티브 파커는 이러한 우려에 답하는 듯 “첨단 전투기 두 종류를 병행해 인도하는 것은 항상 우리의 계획이었고, 우리는 그에 맞춰 투자했습니다”라고 말했다.

“우리는 여러 미래 전투항공기 핵심 프로그램을 동시에 생산할 준비와 능력을 갖추고 있습니다.” 파커는 말했다.

보잉은 수십 년 동안 F/A-18 슈퍼호넷과 EA-18G 그라울러를 포함한 해군용 전투기를 생산해왔다. 그러나 이들 프로그램은 이제 막바지에 접어들고 있었다. 공교롭게도 같은 날 해군은 F/A-18E/F 슈퍼호넷과 EA-18G 그라울러 생산라인 폐쇄를 지원하는 계약도 보잉에 수여했다.

노스럽그러먼의 패배

보잉의 승리 반대편에는 노스럽그러먼이 있다. 노스럽그러먼은 명기 F-14 톰캣 이후 처음으로 전투기 주계약업체가 되기를 노리고 있었다.

하지만 F-47으로 이어진 사업에는 참여하지 않기로 한 데 이어 F/A-XX에서도 패했음에도, 분석가들은 대체로 노스럽그러먼에 대해 긍정적인 평가를 유지했다. 이 회사는 B-21 폭격기와 센티널 대륙간탄도미사일 같은 대형 프로그램을 보유하고 있으며, 록히드마틴이 주도하는 F-35 생산의 일부에도 참여하고 있기 때문이다.

“다른 영향 측면에서 보면 두 회사 모두 이미 핵심 방산 프로그램을 갖고 있습니다. F/A-XX는 제작사에 큰 도움이 되겠지만, 이 항공기가 회사나 방산·항공 부문을 유지하기 위해 반드시 필요한 상황은 아닙니다.” 거틀러는 말했다. “이 계약을 따내지 못한 회사도 여전히 괜찮을 것입니다.”

아불라피아도 노스럽그러먼이 경쟁에서 탈락하는 것이 회사 전체에 미치는 영향에 대해 “그다지 큰 의미는 없다고 봅니다”라고 말했다.

물론 이날 발표가 최종 결론이 아닐 수도 있다. 노스럽그러먼은 거의 확실하게 결정에 항의할 수 있는 방안을 검토할 것으로 보인다. 그러나 슈바이처는 투자자 메모에서 “역사적으로 대형 기밀 항공기 경쟁사업에 대한 항의는 성공률이 낮았다”고 경고했다.

해군에 의미하는 것

화요일 미 국방부의 계약 발표에 따르면 이번 계약은 전면개발 단계를 포함하며 “지상시험, 감항성시험, 체계시험, 무장통합시험을 위한 복수의 시험용 항공기를 조달한다.” 지금까지 해군은 항공기에 관한 구체적인 내용을 많이 공개하지 않았지만, 관계자들은 현 전투기보다 더 긴 항속거리를 갖게 될 것이라고 인정해왔다.

동시에 해군은 미래의 협동전투항공기(CCA)를 개발하려 하고 있다. 이는 유인기와 함께 임무를 수행하는 전투 드론이다. 미 해군참모총장 대릴 코드 제독은 4월 CCA 개념과 F/A-XX 전투기 모두가 해군의 더 광범위한 미래 항공단 구상과 연결돼 있다고 확인했다고 USNI News가 보도했다.

페티존에 따르면 항모항공단의 구성, 즉 유인기와 무인기의 균형은 해군의 전력투사에 매우 중요하며 “그 중심에 유인 전투기가 있는 것이 정말 중요하다.”

“이들이 몇 대를 구매할 계획인지, 다양한 무인체계를 어떻게 섞어 운용할 것인지, 그리고 F/A-XX에 어떤 종류의 무장을 탑재할 것인지 지켜보는 것은 흥미로울 것입니다. 이는 어떤 임무를 우선시하는지와 실제로 어떻게 공격적으로 전력을 투사할 계획인지에 대한 단서를 줄 것입니다. 특히 태평양에서는 거리가 워낙 멀고, 중국군이 매우 장거리 무기를 보유하고 있어 현재 수상함대를 작전지역 밖으로 밀어낼 지경에 가까워지고 있기 때문에 더욱 그렇습니다.” 페티존은 말했다.

F-47 Maker Boeing Tapped for Navy’s F/A-XX Sixth-Gen Fighter

An artist’s rendering of Boeing’s F/A-XX concept. Image courtesy of Boeing

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F-47 Maker Boeing Tapped for Navy’s F/A-XX Sixth-Gen Fighter

Sept. 29, 2026 | By Stephen Losey

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The Navy has awarded Boeing a contract worth more than $20 billion to build its new carrier-based sixth-generation fighter, the F/A-XX. Boeing is also building the Air Force’s sixth-gen F-47.

“The F/A-XX is a critical pillar in our commitment to maintaining peace through strength,” Michael P. Duffey, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said in a Sept. 29 release from the Pentagon “F/A-XX will dominate contested airspace, extend operational reach, and deliver a decisive combat advantage for the warfighter. The F/A-XX platform represents a crucial, non-negotiable investment in America’s national security and long-term air combat capabilities.”

The Pentagon release states that the F/A-XX will first augment, and eventually replace, older F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers beginning in the 2030s. It will operate alongside the carrier-based F-35C Joint Strike Fighters, which the Navy and Marine Corps both fly.

The selection ensures Boeing will make two of the three sixth-generation aircraft in development for the U.S. military—the firm won the contract for the Air Force’s sixth-gen fighter program in March 2025 with the F-47. It also represents a loss for Northrop Grumman, the only other company that remained in the running for the Navy’s Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter, and the maker of the Air Force’s B-21 Raider.

“We are joining forces with Boeing to field these capabilities rapidly, ensuring our warfighters possess the lethal and highly networked systems required to deter aggression, project undisputed power, and secure absolute air superiority,” Duffey said.

The Pentagon release said F/A-XX will be able to fly alongside and control semi-autonomous Navy drones known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

“This achievement marks a new era for the U.S. Navy,” acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said. “The sixth-generation fighter is a generational leap in air superiority and will provide the world’s best aviators with unparalleled capabilities to fight, win, and come home safe. We are excited to partner with Boeing, and for our warfighters to continue to dominate the skies and defeat our nation’s enemies.”

Advanced stealth is also considered to be a key attribute of sixth-generation aircraft.

Now-retired Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, the former director of the Navy’s air warfare division, said at an April 2025 conference that F/A-XX could be the Navy’s last manned fighter.

“It could be our last tactical manned fighter that we operate out of the Navy,” Donnelly said at the Navy League’s Sea Air Space conference in National Harbor, Md. “It will actually be at a point where we are more man-on-the-loop than man-in-the-loop, and be the bridge to fully integrating towards the hybrid air wing [combining piloted aircraft and unmanned platforms] in the future, in the 2040s.”

Donnelly told reporters at that conference that F/A-XX would likely be able to fly more than 25 percent farther than current Navy fighters before needing refueling. The F/A-18 Super Hornet has a roughly 1,275-nautical mile combat range, which is slightly more than the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter’s combat range of more than 1,200 nautical miles.

“That’s a core attribute of the F/A-XX,” Donnelly said in 2025. “It will definitely have longer inherent range, and then with refueling, you could say that’s indefinite, as long as refueling is available.”

An artist rendering of the Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter, now designated the F-47, which is also designed by Boeing. Air Force graphic

Boeing said in a statement that F/A-XX “will revolutionize advancements in open mission systems architecture, advanced mission systems, and operational reach and capacity.”

“It’s an honor to be selected to produce the Navy’s first sixth-generation platform,” Steve Parker, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, said in the company’s own statement. “Backed by decades of work, bolstered by game-changing innovations and solidified by the investments we’ve made in new facilities uniquely suited to build multiple products with next-generation capabilities, our dedicated and talented team is ready to execute this critical program.”

Boeing said technical and program details on the F/A-XX are classified and could not be released.

Longtime defense analyst J.J. Gertler said the Navy’s choice of Boeing could leverage work Boeing is now doing with its F-47 sixth-generation fighter for the Air Force. That connection could accelerate the F/A-XX process and get it into production faster.

“If it’s based on the F-47 or was codeveloped with the F-47, they might be able to put an aircraft in the air very quickly,” Gertler told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

Boeing has invested heavily in building more facilities for advanced aircraft production in St. Louis, Mo., where the F-47 is now in the works, Gertler said. 

Boeing is also building F-15EX Eagle II fighters and T-7 Red Hawk trainer jets for the Air Force in St. Louis. Indeed, also on Sept. 29, the Pentagon awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract for 22 more F-15EX fighters.

Boeing said construction is still ongoing for its secure manufacturing facility in St. Louis, which will “be part of the world’s most advanced, all-digital aerospace design and manufacturing system.”

“Delivering two advanced fighters in parallel was always our plan, and we invested accordingly,” Parker said. “We are ready and able to build multiple concurrent future combat aircraft franchise programs.”

Gertler said it remains to be seen whether Boeing will be able to follow through on commitments for many critical military aircraft.

“We don’t know how much of [Boeing’s new advanced aircraft facility] is taken up by F-47,” Gertler said. “They’ve got F-15EX numbers expanding. They’ve got T-7 there. Do they have the people to be able to produce this [F/A-XX] aircraft quickly?”

An artist’s rendering of Boeing’s F/A-XX concept. Image courtesy of Boeing

Expand Photo

F-47 Maker Boeing Tapped for Navy’s F/A-XX Sixth-Gen Fighter

Sept. 29, 2026 | By Stephen Losey

•  
•  
•  
•  
•  

Share Article

The Navy has awarded Boeing a contract worth more than $20 billion to build its new carrier-based sixth-generation fighter, the F/A-XX. Boeing is also building the Air Force’s sixth-gen F-47.

“The F/A-XX is a critical pillar in our commitment to maintaining peace through strength,” Michael P. Duffey, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said in a Sept. 29 release from the Pentagon “F/A-XX will dominate contested airspace, extend operational reach, and deliver a decisive combat advantage for the warfighter. The F/A-XX platform represents a crucial, non-negotiable investment in America’s national security and long-term air combat capabilities.”

The Pentagon release states that the F/A-XX will first augment, and eventually replace, older F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers beginning in the 2030s. It will operate alongside the carrier-based F-35C Joint Strike Fighters, which the Navy and Marine Corps both fly.

The selection ensures Boeing will make two of the three sixth-generation aircraft in development for the U.S. military—the firm won the contract for the Air Force’s sixth-gen fighter program in March 2025 with the F-47. It also represents a loss for Northrop Grumman, the only other company that remained in the running for the Navy’s Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter, and the maker of the Air Force’s B-21 Raider.

“We are joining forces with Boeing to field these capabilities rapidly, ensuring our warfighters possess the lethal and highly networked systems required to deter aggression, project undisputed power, and secure absolute air superiority,” Duffey said.

The Pentagon release said F/A-XX will be able to fly alongside and control semi-autonomous Navy drones known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

“This achievement marks a new era for the U.S. Navy,” acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said. “The sixth-generation fighter is a generational leap in air superiority and will provide the world’s best aviators with unparalleled capabilities to fight, win, and come home safe. We are excited to partner with Boeing, and for our warfighters to continue to dominate the skies and defeat our nation’s enemies.”

Advanced stealth is also considered to be a key attribute of sixth-generation aircraft.

Now-retired Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, the former director of the Navy’s air warfare division, said at an April 2025 conference that F/A-XX could be the Navy’s last manned fighter.

“It could be our last tactical manned fighter that we operate out of the Navy,” Donnelly said at the Navy League’s Sea Air Space conference in National Harbor, Md. “It will actually be at a point where we are more man-on-the-loop than man-in-the-loop, and be the bridge to fully integrating towards the hybrid air wing [combining piloted aircraft and unmanned platforms] in the future, in the 2040s.”

Donnelly told reporters at that conference that F/A-XX would likely be able to fly more than 25 percent farther than current Navy fighters before needing refueling. The F/A-18 Super Hornet has a roughly 1,275-nautical mile combat range, which is slightly more than the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter’s combat range of more than 1,200 nautical miles.

“That’s a core attribute of the F/A-XX,” Donnelly said in 2025. “It will definitely have longer inherent range, and then with refueling, you could say that’s indefinite, as long as refueling is available.”

An artist rendering of the Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter, now designated the F-47, which is also designed by Boeing. Air Force graphic

Boeing said in a statement that F/A-XX “will revolutionize advancements in open mission systems architecture, advanced mission systems, and operational reach and capacity.”

“It’s an honor to be selected to produce the Navy’s first sixth-generation platform,” Steve Parker, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, said in the company’s own statement. “Backed by decades of work, bolstered by game-changing innovations and solidified by the investments we’ve made in new facilities uniquely suited to build multiple products with next-generation capabilities, our dedicated and talented team is ready to execute this critical program.”

Boeing said technical and program details on the F/A-XX are classified and could not be released.

Longtime defense analyst J.J. Gertler said the Navy’s choice of Boeing could leverage work Boeing is now doing with its F-47 sixth-generation fighter for the Air Force. That connection could accelerate the F/A-XX process and get it into production faster.

“If it’s based on the F-47 or was codeveloped with the F-47, they might be able to put an aircraft in the air very quickly,” Gertler told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

Boeing has invested heavily in building more facilities for advanced aircraft production in St. Louis, Mo., where the F-47 is now in the works, Gertler said. 

Boeing is also building F-15EX Eagle II fighters and T-7 Red Hawk trainer jets for the Air Force in St. Louis. Indeed, also on Sept. 29, the Pentagon awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract for 22 more F-15EX fighters.

Boeing said construction is still ongoing for its secure manufacturing facility in St. Louis, which will “be part of the world’s most advanced, all-digital aerospace design and manufacturing system.”

“Delivering two advanced fighters in parallel was always our plan, and we invested accordingly,” Parker said. “We are ready and able to build multiple concurrent future combat aircraft franchise programs.”

Gertler said it remains to be seen whether Boeing will be able to follow through on commitments for many critical military aircraft.

“We don’t know how much of [Boeing’s new advanced aircraft facility] is taken up by F-47,” Gertler said. “They’ve got F-15EX numbers expanding. They’ve got T-7 there. Do they have the people to be able to produce this [F/A-XX] aircraft quickly?”

What Boeing’s F/A-XX win means for the company, and what challenges come next - Breaking Defense

What Boeing’s F/A-XX win means for the company, and what challenges come next - Breaking Defense

What Boeing’s F/A-XX win means for the company, and what challenges come next

The selection raises questions, for example, about how Boeing’s workforce will take on another major program.

By Diana Stancy and Michael Marrow on September 29, 2026 9:55 pm

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Storm clouds gather over Boeing's St. Louis headquarters. (Michael Marrow/Breaking Defense)

WASHINGTON — Boeing has emerged the champion to build the Navy’s sixth-generation strike fighter — beating out competitor Northrop Grumman to produce the aircraft that will replace the service’s aging F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fighter jets. 

But while the more than $20 billion win gives Boeing a stranglehold on America’s sixth-generation fighter fleets, the challenge now is making sure the company can execute, according to analysts who spoke to Breaking Defense ahead of the contract decision.

To be sure, today’s win cements a major turnaround for Boeing’s defense arm. After years of struggling with major aircraft programs, including executing on the KC-46 tanker and T-7 trainer, Boeing’s March 2025 award of the Air Force’s F-47 fighter marked an earlier turning point for the company.

“For Boeing it would be a big step in an extraordinary turnaround: from legacy manufacturer of sunsetting fighter programs to the company that has a lock on the US’s fighter future,” said Richard Aboulafia, managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory. 

Stacie Pettyjohn, a senior fellow and director of the defense program at the Center for a New American Security, voiced similar sentiments, saying that winning F/A-XX represents “a complete pendulum swing for Boeing, going from thinking that they’re going to be closing their fighter lines to having both of the big contracts for sixth-generation fighters.”

However, analysts warned, there are potential challenges ahead as Boeing attempts to execute a series of major production efforts.

“The first question that comes to mind is how quickly they can produce a workable F/A-XX, which is really a question of how much it’s based on the F-47 that they’ve already developed,” Jeremiah Gertler, a senior advisor at AeroDynamic Advisory and former military aviation analyst for the Congressional Research Service, told Breaking Defense. “If the two designs have a lot in common or were actually co-developed, we could see an F/A-XX fly a lot sooner than one might expect.”

However, Gertler said there may be a personnel challenge at Boeing’s production site in St. Louis — given that the firm already secured contracts for the F-47, and the T-7A Red Hawk training jet for the Air Force. 

“They will be trying to execute F/A-XX, F-47, T-7, and a significant planned increase in F-15EX rates all at the same time from the same factory complex,” Gertler said. “Do they have (and can they find) the people needed to keep those production lines all working at a high rate simultaneously?”

Doug Birkey, the executive director for the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, also raised concerns with workforce demands.

“Ensuring that the early program workforce demand signal is adequately balanced between F-47 and FA-XX will have to be proactively managed — a challenge that can be stewarded,” Birkey said. 

In a note to investors after the contract was awarded, Roman Schweizer of TD Cowen said that investors will want to look closely as how Boeing priced its offering and what the contract structure of the deal is — both issues that have tripped up previous Boeing programs.

“We think the award suggests the Navy placed significant weight on Boeing’s manufacturing capacity and ability to deliver at scale,” Schweizer said. “Navy leaders had previously hinted that industrial capacity and schedule risk were important factors in the decision, and Boeing has spent last several years investing heavily in facilities and digital engineering capabilities in St. Louis.”

Concerns about the ability of Boeing to produce jets for both the Navy and Air Force emerged in 2025, thanks to a statement by the White House that effectively argued against funding F/A-XX in order to keep F-47 on track. In today’s statement, Boeing defense chief Steve Parker appeared to address that thinking, saying that “delivering two advanced fighters in parallel was always our plan, and we invested accordingly.”

“We are ready and able to build multiple concurrent future combat aircraft franchise programs,” Parker said.

Boeing has produced fighter jets for the Navy for decades — including the F/A-18 Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler. However, those programs were approaching their final chapters. Perhaps fittingly, today the Navy also awarded Boeing a contract to support the shuttering of the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler production lines. 

Northrop Loses Out

On the flip side of today’s Boeing win is Northrop Grumman, who was seeking to become a prime on a fighter jet for the first time since the venerable F-14 Tomcat.

But while losing out on F/A-XX, after choosing not to pursue what became F-47, is undoubtedly a blow to Northrop, analysts largely remain positive on the company, which has a buffer of major programs including the B-21 bomber and Sentinel ICBM, as well as parts of production of the F-35 helmed by Lockheed Martin.

“In terms of other impact, both companies already have tentpole defense programs. F/A-XX will be a boon to whoever builds it, but it’s not a situation where that plane is necessary to keep the company or their defense or aeronautics division going,” Gertler said. “Whoever doesn’t win this contract will still be fine.”

Echoed Aboulafia, “I don’t think it would mean very much” for Northrop overall to lose out on the competition.

Of course, today’s announcement may not be the final word: Northrop is almost certain to look into options to protest the decision. However, Schweizer warned in his investors note that, “historically protests of major classified aircraft competitions have had a low success rate.”

What It Means For The Navy

The Pentagon’s contract announcement on Tuesday said the award covers the full-scale development phase, and “procures multiple test aircraft for ground, airworthiness, systems, and weapons integration testing.” So far, the service has not shared many specifics on the aircraft, although officials have acknowledged that it will feature greater range than current fighters. 

At the same time, the Navy is seeking to develop future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), a combat drone that completes missions jointly with manned aircraft. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle confirmed in April that the CCA concept and the F/A-XX fighter both tied into the Navy’s broader air wing of the future concept, USNI News reported. 

According to Pettyjohn, the composition of the carrier air wing — meaning the balance of manned and unmanned aircraft — is critical for the Navy to project power, and “having a crewed fighter jet at the heart of it is really important.” 

“It’s going to be interesting to see how many they’re planning to buy, and how they’re going to mix in the different uncrewed systems along with that, and what type of weapons they put on the F/A-XX, which will give a hint as to the missions that they’re prioritizing and how they really plan to be able to project power offensively — especially in the Pacific, when you’re looking at those great distances and Chinese forces with very long-range weapons that right now are on the verge of pushing the surface navy outside of the area of operations,” Pettyjohn said. 

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