Amid efforts by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to reduce the costs of its NGAD program, the U.S. Navy appears determined to proceed independently with its own sixth-generation fighter, currently referred to as the F/A-XX. This marks a departure from the previously suggested interconnectivity between the two programs, as stated on multiple occasions by USAF officials.
The news was revealed by Rear Admiral Michael Donnelly, the U.S. Navy’s director of the Air Warfare Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, during an interview with Aviation Week. Donnelly noted that the program is currently reviewing proposals from three manufacturers for the sixth-generation fighter: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.
The Navy’s vision for the F/A-XX is to replace its current F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft (the latter being the electronic warfare variant) while complementing the fifth-generation F-35C fighters that are still being introduced. While details about the independent design structure are not yet available, certain indications suggest significant differences from what we knew so far.
Rear Admiral Donnelly highlighted propulsion as one of the key divergences. The Navy plans to move away from the Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program in favor of a derivative engine design. In his words: “We’re looking at a more derivative type of engine solution (…) This is just one example where we probably differ in many aspects from the Air Force. Overall, these are two unique programs in terms of acquisition and looking ahead, so at this point, we’re relatively independent of each other.”
Another divergence lies in the roles envisioned for the respective aircraft. While the USAF is designing its NGAD fighter primarily for air superiority, the Navy seeks a multirole platform. Donnelly elaborated: “The primary focus of its design is to enable long-range engagements, maritime control, and similar missions. Its design includes the ability to support fleet defense. We can’t afford to have a capability narrowly focused on a single mission or operational phase.”
The third major difference in relation to the NGAD program lies in whether the F/A-XX will ultimately be designed as a manned or unmanned aircraft. This debate is also a significant aspect of the USAF’s NGAD program, largely driven by cost considerations. Initially, the U.S. Navy planned for its sixth-generation fighter to include both manned and unmanned variants, similar to the NGAD concept. However, current indications suggest a shift toward a single, manned version. According to Donnelly, this aircraft would serve as a transitional platform, paving the way for a future shift to unmanned models and hybrid carrier air wings.
The program, however, faces a significant series of challenges, with budgetary constraints being one of the primary obstacles, as is the case with the NGAD program. In this context, it is worth noting that the U.S. Navy’s plans for 2025 allocate significantly less funding for the development of the F/A-XX. Specifically, the program’s budget has been reduced by 67% compared to the previous year, dropping from $10.3 billion to just $3.3 billion. An additional $450 million boost, approved by the U.S. Senate, is still pending but is unlikely to fundamentally alter this outlook.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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