The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Tuesday that it has chosen aerospace company Boeing to build the next-generation fighter jet for the U.S. Navy, a contract valued at over 20 billion dollars. The aircraft, part of the F/A-XX program, is expected to enter service in the early 2030s and will replace the F/A-18E Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler, both also made by Boeing. The new fighter will be designed to operate from U.S. aircraft carriers and will work alongside the F-35C, as well as other manned aircraft and military drones. The Pentagon describes this future stealth aircraft as a key part of modernizing naval aviation. Michael P. Duffey, deputy defense secretary for acquisitions and logistics, said the F/A-XX represents a vital part of the U.S. commitment to maintaining peace through strength. He emphasized that the aircraft must be able to "dominate contested airspaces, extend operational reach, and give combatants a decisive advantage." He also called the program an "indispensable investment for the national security of the United States." Boeing will design and manufacture the aircraft, including improvements in mission system architecture and operational capabilities. Steve Parker, president of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, said it is an honor to be chosen to build the Navy's first sixth-generation platform. This selection follows Boeing's earlier win in March 2025 to develop the F-47 for the U.S. Air Force, intended to replace the F-22. At the time, former President Donald Trump said "nothing in the world could rival" this new generation of aircraft. Boeing was competing with Northrop Grumman for the contract. The latter said on Tuesday that it had proposed "a sixth-generation fighter with strong protection capabilities and an advanced digital platform" and was waiting for more information on the decision. After Wall Street closed, Boeing's stock rose by 2.21 percent. The company plans to work on the F/A-XX and F-47 programs at the same time and is currently building a major secure production site in Missouri. This 20-billion-dollar contract comes at a time when Boeing is trying to recover from several years of challenges in commercial aviation, including quality and compliance issues, as well as losses in defense contracts, especially those with fixed prices.