Overview
- The Navy, which briefed reporters Monday at Sea‑Air‑Space, said it will pick between Boeing and Northrop Grumman in August.
- Hours later, Northrop posted a short concept video that shows a tailless, carrier‑capable design with folding wings, though the company says the rendering is not a final aircraft.
- On Tuesday, CEO Kathy Warden said Northrop can meet the schedule and has the workforce and facilities ready, citing the B‑21 bomber program as proof it can deliver complex jets.
- The Pentagon had tried to slow the program over worries about building this jet alongside the Air Force’s F‑47, and Congress countered with about $1.69 billion to keep it moving while the latest Navy request is roughly $140 million.
- The aircraft is meant to replace the Super Hornet in the 2030s with longer range and low observability and to work with the MQ‑25 refueling drone and future unmanned wingmen, and the Navy’s top admiral warned one bidder may miss the required timeline.