The F/A-XX program was initiated to replace the Boeing FA-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft that has been in service since 2001 based on the FA-18 Hornet launched in 1974. After Boeing was awarded the contract to build the F-47 fighter aircraft for the United States Air Force (USAF), the United States Navy (USN) is believed to be announcing the winner of the F/A-XX program contract this week.
Once again, Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin are the three companies that have presented their concept designs to the USN. However, Lockheed Martin is believed to have been eliminated from the competition due to various issues meeting the requirements set by the USN. Boeing is seen to have an advantage due to its experience building the FA-18 and the MQ-25 Stingray drone according to the USN requirements.
The USN requirements are different from the USAF because the F/A-XX needs to have the ability to land on the deck of an aircraft carrier. This requires stronger landing gear as well as the support of a hook system for CATOBAR operations.
The USAF and USN are no longer working together on the same aircraft as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program that produced the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II due to various issues that arose after it entered service in 2015.
However, the F/A-XX's requirements are the same as the F-47's in that it needs to be radar-resistant, fly farther, and be able to operate with drones as a control node on the battlefield.