US Navy sets its eyes on F/A-XX 6th Gen fighter as Boeing wins the award: here’s a look at the other similar jets in the making and which country is ahead; cost, specifications and features

The US Navy selected Boeing to develop its next-generation carrier-based fighter, F/A-XX. The Pentagon awarded Boeing a multi-billion-dollar contract for the program on September 29, 2026. The contract is worth about $20 billion. The fighter is intended to replace the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

"It's an honor to be selected to produce the Navy's first sixth-generation platform. Backed by decades of work, bolstered by game-changing innovations and solidified by the investments we've made in new facilities uniquely suited to build multiple products with next generation capabilities, our dedicated and talented team is ready to execute this critical program," said Steve Parker, president and chief executive officer, Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

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Boeing said the technical and program details remain classified under US national security and export laws.

The F/A-XX is being developed as a carrier-based fighter. It is expected to replace the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornets during the 2030s.

Reuters reported that the Navy plans to operate the aircraft alongside the F-35C into the 2040s. The program is also designed around cooperation with unmanned aircraft.

The War Zone described the aircraft as a large, broad and tailless design. It also identified what appears to be a large nose section from the photographs used in the press release by Boeing. It could accommodate a large active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

The aircraft also appears to have side-mounted engine intakes. Its tailless configuration is consistent with a low-observable design.

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F/A-XX Expected Range

The War Zone reported in 2025 that the Navy expected the aircraft to have about 25% more range than the existing tactical aircraft in its carrier air wings.

The Navy also plans to use the MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone. The aircraft is intended to help extend the range of carrier-based operations.

Cost

The initial F/A-XX contract is reported at around $20 billion. Reuters reported that the US Congress had provided $2.15 billion over two years to support the programme after earlier concerns about funding and delays.

The $20 billion figure should therefore be described as the value of the current development contract. It is not the final lifetime cost of the fighter program.

The Navy is also developing Collaborative Combat Aircraft, or CCAs. These are uncrewed aircraft designed to operate alongside crewed fighters.

Breaking Defense reported that the Navy views the F/A-XX and future CCAs as parts of its future carrier air wing.

Alongside the US, China, the UK, Japan, Italy, France, Germany and Spain are also pursuing next-generation combat-air programmes. Russia has also proposed a next-generation interceptor programme.

China’s J-36 and other next-generation aircraft

China has publicly revealed prototypes of new tailless stealth aircraft. One of the best-known is the aircraft commonly referred to by analysts as the J-36. Janes reported that the aircraft has appeared in multiple prototype forms. It has an unusual three-engine configuration and a large tailless design.

The programme is already at the prototype and flight-test stage.

Janes reported that the first J-36 prototype appeared publicly in December 2024. It also reported that a second version has since flown with several design changes.

The South China Morning Post reported in July 2026 that images and video appeared to show a possible fifth J-36 prototype. It said the aircraft appeared to be undergoing continuing design changes.

UK, Japan and Italy Program - GCAP / Tempest

The UK, Japan and Italy are jointly developing the Global Combat Air Programme, or GCAP.

The program is intended to produce a sixth-generation combat aircraft. The three countries are targeting 2035 for entry into service.

The UK Ministry of Defence said a £4.6 billion contract was signed in July 2026 to advance the aircraft's design. The program is being developed by the three countries through their industrial partnership.

The UK has referred to its version of the aircraft as Tempest. The Japanese government says the program will also include systems for unmanned aircraft working with the crewed fighter.

France, Germany and Spain Program - FCAS

France, Germany and Spain have been developing another European sixth-generation program called Future Combat Air System, or FCAS.

The program is built around a crewed next-generation fighter which includes uncrewed aircraft and a combat cloud designed to connect the different platforms.

Germany's Bundeswehr describes the system as more than a conventional fighter. The plan is for the aircraft, uncrewed systems and combat cloud to work together as a wider system of systems.

In June 2026, the German government said France and Germany had been unable to reach an agreement between their companies on the joint fighter. The governments said the wider FCAS system-of-systems work would continue.

The situation makes the future of the actual sixth-generation fighter component less certain than the broader FCAS concept.

Germany says the wider FCAS system is currently expected to be used from around 2040.

US vs China vs Europe

The programmes are following different timelines.

The US now has two sixth-generation fighter programmes backed by major contracts. Boeing is developing the Navy's F/A-XX and the Air Force's F-47. The F/A-XX has now entered full-scale development.

China has publicly demonstrated flying prototypes of aircraft widely assessed as sixth-generation designs. Its J-36 programme appears to be progressing through successive prototypes.

The UK, Japan and Italy have a formal international programme with a stated 2035 target. A major new development contract was signed in 2026.

France, Germany and Spain have a broader FCAS programme, but the fighter component has faced disagreements between the participating companies.