In November 2021, the US Navy released a strategic document titled Navy Aviation 2030-35, outlining its vision for the F/A-XX, a next-generation aircraft intended to replace the F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler. This aircraft would be the centerpiece of a broader system known as FoS, or Future of the Force, which would integrate drones, sensors, and other advanced technologies to create a networked combat system. The F/A-XX was expected to offer greater range, higher speed, and advanced sensor capabilities, allowing it to operate more effectively in modern and future battle environments. By October 2024, three major defense contractors—Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman—were competing to design the F/A-XX. In March 2025, Lockheed Martin was removed from the race after its proposal failed to meet the Navy's requirements. However, the Navy remained uncertain about moving forward with the program due to budgetary pressures. The service needed to replace its aging fighter aircraft but also faced demands to upgrade its surface fleet, develop new ships, and modernize its submarines. The US Air Force's own next-generation aircraft program, known as NGAD, which selected Boeing to develop the F-47, raised concerns about the ability of American defense contractors to manage two such complex and expensive projects at the same time. Despite these worries, the F/A-XX program received support from Congress. In April 2025, Admiral Daryl Caudle, Chief of Staff of the US Navy, said the winner would be announced by August. That deadline passed without a decision, leading to renewed uncertainty. The Naval Air Systems Command then issued a request for information about building two prototypes of a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) that could operate from aircraft carriers. On September 29, the US Navy announced that Boeing had been selected to design the F/A-XX, with a contract valued at $20 billion. The deal covers the "large-scale development phase" and includes the acquisition of test aircraft. Michael P. Duffey, Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Logistics Support, emphasized the importance of the F/A-XX to US national security and long-term combat readiness. Boeing will begin replacing the F/A-18EF Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler in the 2030s, with the F/A-XX also expected to evolve alongside the F-35C fighter jet. While Boeing has not disclosed technical details—due to their classified nature—it has promised significant advancements in open mission systems, range, and operational performance. Steve Parker, CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, expressed pride in being chosen for the project, noting Boeing’s investments in new facilities to support the development of next-generation combat aircraft. The company emphasized its ability to handle multiple ambitious programs simultaneously, though it cautioned that conceptual images of the F-47 and F/A-XX may not reflect the final designs. Boeing’s statement of the F/A-XX was accompanied by images obscured by a vapor cloud to limit the disclosure of sensitive information.