Overview
- The program still lacks clear direction despite a nearly $1 billion add from Congress.
- The Air Current reports rifts between the Pentagon and White House and the Navy, industry, and key lawmakers over the fighter’s priority.
- 19FortyFive reports budget documents show about $5 billion for the Air Force F-47 but about $140 million for F/A-XX, including roughly $72 million linked to a reconciliation bill.
- Northrop’s heavy B-21 bomber workload raises doubts it can also build F/A-XX, complicating a field already narrowed when Lockheed Martin quit in 2025.
- Lawmakers have asked the Navy for its acquisition plan, contract award timeline, and path to first deployment, as the service casts F/A-XX as a stealth “quarterback” for future carrier air wings.