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�ճ������is a crewed aircraft program to replace the United States Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in the next decade. The requirement, initially identified in 2008, will allow the carrier-based fighter to support the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) systems.

Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman were initially competing with their individual designs of the sixth-generation stealth fighter.

In March,����reported that the US Navy had eliminated��from the competition. The manufacturing giant has submitted its bid to the Navy, but the proposal did not meet the Navy’s criteria for the combat aircraft. The remaining two competitors are determined to secure the contract if and when it is approved.

In April,����reported that the Navy’s F/A-XX program has transitioned from the conceptual development stage to the operational testing and evaluation phase.��

Speculative designs and capabilities of the F/A-XX stealth aircraft

The F/A-XX program is a high-profile aircraft competition that could define the future of naval aviation. The program will see a carrier-based combat jet to complement the F-35 aboard the Navy’s warships.

The jet will offer significant advancements in operational capabilities, particularly in contested environments. The suggestive design rendering by����shows the nose and cockpit with a bubble canopy, indicating a single-pilot design.

The design suggests ample belly volume for fuel and weapons, showing the need for extended range. The twin wheels on the nose gear suggest the type will be equipped for heavy landings.

Advanced range, endurance, and superior stealth capabilities will be key features of the aircraft. The F/A-XX is developed to enable and enhance integration with existing and future carrier-based air defence systems.

While the rendering may not be a true depiction of what the aircraft could look like, it conforms to a low-observable stealth jet for future combat missions. Northrop Grumman, committed to next-generation naval aviation, states,

“Northrop Grumman provides enabling capabilities to the U.S. Navy. By harnessing integrated digital technologies to rapidly conceptualise, design, build, and sustain value-driven solutions, we are revolutionising naval aviation for superior performance innovation.”

In August,����reported that Boeing had revealed a rendering of its proposed F/A-XX design, indicating similarities with the F-47.�� With its wings and tailplane hiding in the clouds, the nose and front section appeared similar to the in-development F-47.��

The Navy could announce the winner of the contract soon

In October,����reported that the US Congress had allocated $750 million to speed the F/A-XX program. The Navy could announce the winner of the highly anticipated competition soon. Moreover,��.

The Navy aims to induct the first production jets into service in the 2030s. The Navy aims to have sufficient time to phase out the older F/A-18s, expected to remain in service into the 2040s.

Despite the potential funding, there are serious concerns about whether Boeing or Northrop Grumman can deploy sufficient resources to complete the aircraft on time. The Air Force recently��, which may limit the manufacturer’s resources for the F/A-XX program.

With Northrop Grumman investing money and resources into its Sentinel ballistic missile program, the completion timeline for the Navy’s stealth fighter remains in question.

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