Northrop Grumman released on its website the first official concept art of the F/A-XX, providing a glimpse into its vision of 6th gen naval air power.
Northrop Grumman has published on its website an official concept art of the F/A-XX, the next generation fighter jet that would equip the future U.S. Navy carrier air wings. The future of the program is currently unclear, as the Pentagon and the White House are worried that moving forward with the F/A-XX would slow down the Air Force’s F-47.
Boeing and Northrop Grumman are considered to be the sole competitors for the contract, after in 2024 Lockheed Martin was reported to be out of the F/A-XX program. Both companies are already working on next generation aircraft program for the Air Force, developing the F-47 NGAD fighter and the B-21 Raider bomber, respectively.
The F/A-XX concept art
The new image was published in the Naval Aviation section of Northrop Grumman’s website, although it is unclear when. It is also unclear how accurate this concept art would be, as there are many similarities with previous concept arts released by the company for the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance program.
The heavy shadowed aircraft is shown aboard an aircraft carrier, which is not unsurprising given the role of the F/A-XX. The focus on low observability is evident, although it is not possible to see if the design is tailless, given the cropping of the image.
A low-observable air inlet is placed on the top of the fuselage, just behind the cockpit. Although it is not visible, another one should be present in a symmetric position on the other side. As the inlets’ design is one of the most sensitive aspects for stealth aircraft, this is likely to be a placeholder.
A highly streamlined design, which blends the chin with the wings and the rest of the aircraft, ends in a large pointy nose, which would provide ample space for an AESA radar. Carrier-specific features are also visible, such as the twin wheel nose landing gear and launch bar.
F/A-XX today
The F/A-XX is the strike fighter component within the U.S. Navy’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Family of Systems (FoS). The requirement for this aircraft has been around since 2008, with a formal Request for Information in 2012, to replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in the 2030s.
Later, the F/A-XX was included in the service’s NGAD program, which is a separate program from the identically named Air Force program. The Navy says that its “specific capabilities and technologies are under development, however analysis shows it must have longer range and greater speed, incorporate passive and active sensor technology, and possess the capability to employ the longer-range weapons programmed for the future.”
Key features include artificial intelligence-assisted systems, manned-unmanned teaming, and a 25% range improvement over current platforms. The aircraft is being developed with an emphasis on deep-strike capabilities and data-centric warfare, essential for future operations in contested environments like the Indo-Pacific.
The NGAD FoS will include unmanned platforms with F/A-XX as the quarterback, exploiting the Manned/UnManned Teaming (MUM-T) concept to reduce risk to the manned aircraft, while simultaneously increasing capability, capacity, and survivability. The new MQ-25 Stingray will be the first unmanned asset to employ this capability, extending the strike range and enhancing maneuverability of the Carrier Air Wing.
Despite receiving $454 million in FY2025, the Department of Defense requested only $74 million for FY2026—sparking concerns among lawmakers and Navy leadership. The service responded by placing a $1.4 billion request on its FY2026 Unfunded Priorities List to secure the contract and prevent delays. Pentagon leaders and the Trump administration, however, are reportedly considering deprioritizing F/A‑XX in favor of the U.S. Air Force’s F‑47 (NGAD), citing concerns over industrial capacity.
Top Navy officials have argued forcefully in favor of the program, calling it essential for maintaining carrier strike group relevance in future high-end conflicts. With a final downselect which was initially expected soon after the F-47 and rising Congressional advocacy, the future of F/A‑XX hangs in the balance.
