F/A-XX decision must be "made quickly," Navy chief says
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An F/A-18 Super Hornet launches off the USS Gerald R. Ford in November. Photo: Nathan Sears/DVIDS
A decision concerning the fate of the U.S. Navy's futuristic fighter must be "made quickly," considering how long it will take to build, test and get familiar with such a sophisticated warplane, the chief of U.S. naval operations said.
Why it matters: The service's F/A-XX endeavor has been, at least publicly, stuck in limbo.
- Rumors of an imminent contract award have come and gone, as opinions of Trump 2.0 officials clash with those of military leadership.
What they're saying: "As far as next-generation tactical aircraft for the Navy, I'm a huge fan of that. That's an imperative for any air wing of the future," Adm. Daryl Caudle told reporters huddled with him at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California.
- "High-end warfare can be enabled with unmanned, can be enabled with space and cyber effects, of course, but at the end of the day, you've got to bring the lead, and the mass has to be delivered."
- "Every day you do a decision delay is one day later I'm already not getting something."
Catch up quick: F/A-XX has been in the works for years. Boeing and Northrop Grumman are competing for the secretive multibillion-dollar deal; neither has divulged much about their approach or design.
- Boeing earlier this year won the Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance competition, earning it the right to build the F-47. The Trump administration has since said it does not think industry can handle both jets at the same time — a point contractors reject.
- Northrop CEO Kathy Warden in November told Axios she was confident in her company's abilities. Steve Parker, the CEO of Boeing's defense business, told reporters in Paris this summer that his company's "capital investment was for both programs."
The intrigue: Navy Secretary John Phelan told Axios he is discussing F/A-XX with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his deputy, Steve Feinberg.
- Asked if he considers the project alive, he said: "As far as I'm concerned, yes."
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