The US Navy has selected Boeing to develop its new sixth-generation stealth fighter jet, the F/A-XX, awarding the defence contractor a $20bn contract over rival Northrop Grumman. The decision marks a major boost to Boeing's struggling defence business and its turnaround efforts under CEO Kelly Ortberg. This is the second major fighter jet programme awarded to Boeing since President Donald Trump retook office, following the company's earlier selection for the Air Force's F-47 over Lockheed Martin in March 2025. The F/A-XX will replace Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growler aircraft, with expected deployment in the 2030s alongside current F-35s. The jets are designed to be interoperable with unmanned systems and are seen as critical for countering China in the Pacific.

Boeing's defence division contributes about a third of the group's total revenue but has recorded operating losses for the past four years. Analyst Ken Herbert at RBC Capital Markets described the contract as representing a "near-complete reversal of Boeing's defence trajectory." The company's recent wins signal a recovery following the fallout from fatal commercial airliner crashes in 2018 and 2019, and a door blowout incident in 2024.

Shares in Boeing rose 3.29% in after-hours trading. US Under Secretary of Defense Michael Duffey emphasized that the F/A-XX will "dominate contested airspace, extend operational reach and deliver a decisive combat advantage." However, funding concerns remain as the Navy faces budget constraints from ongoing military operations.