US Navy persists with stealth fighter plans despite financial hurdles

The US Navy's F/A-XX stealth fighter program remains in a state of uncertainty as it contends with budget constraints and competition from other military initiatives. Despite the sidelining of the project in favor of the Air Force's F-47, the Navy continues to push for development. Boeing and Northrop Grumman are still contenders for producing this next-generation aircraft, following Lockheed Martin's removal from consideration.

According to USNI News, "The Navy's FA-XX program will maintain minimal development funding to preserve the ability to leverage F-47 work while preventing oversubscription of qualified defense industrial base engineers." The 2026 fiscal year budget includes $74 million dedicated to sustaining current F/A-XX development activities but does not allow for further advancement towards production.

"The carrier air wing is a vital element of not only US Navy operations, but the US Armed Forces as a whole," stated officials, emphasizing its significance within military strategy. With increasing numbers of F-35C fighters enhancing force capabilities, there's an ongoing need for more robust platforms like the proposed manned or optionally manned sixth-generation F/A-XX fighter.