US Greenlights Next-Gen Navy Fighter Jet Program

The United States is preparing to bring the air power of its Navy to a new qualitative level. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has officially approved an ambitious project to create a new generation of fighter jets for the American naval fleet. This strategic decision, which has become known from two informed sources, marks the start of a crucial phase in the Pentagon's long-term modernization program. It is planned that the new combat aircraft will not only replace aircraft that have been in service for decades but will also fundamentally reshape the concept of air superiority at sea by introducing advanced technological solutions and unprecedented combat capabilities.

The military department is operating at an accelerated pace. According to available information, the Pentagon could make a decisive decision by the end of the current week, selecting the company that will undertake the design and construction of the carrier-based fighters. The giants of American aviation, Boeing and Northrop Grumman corporations, are competing for this massive and strategically important contract. Both companies have decades of experience in the defense industry, and the choice between them will not only determine the fate of this specific project but will also significantly influence the future course of the American military-industrial complex's development.

The new combat aircraft, which has already received the designation F/A-XX, is intended to replace the legendary but aging F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter. The Super Hornet, which has been in the U.S. Navy's arsenal since the 1990s, has been the backbone of carrier aviation for many years, but modern challenges require new technological solutions. The requirements for the F/A-XX are extremely high. The new aircraft is expected to have significantly improved stealth characteristics, allowing it to remain undetected by enemy radars. Additionally, an increase in flight range and endurance is planned, which will substantially expand the fleet's operational radius.

However, the most revolutionary feature of the F/A-XX will be its ability to meet the demands of network-centric warfare. The new fighter is being designed to fully integrate with both unmanned combat aerial vehicles and the Navy's carrier-based anti-aircraft defense (AAD) systems. This means the F/A-XX will operate as part of a unified combat network, coordinating its actions with drones and defense systems to ensure unprecedented informational and tactical superiority. In effect, with this initiative, the U.S. is not just creating a new aircraft but is building a complete ecosystem for future naval air combat.