The U.S. Navy announced on Tuesday that Boeing has been awarded the development contract for its next-generation stealth fighter, designated the F/A-XX program. The award marks the company's second major fighter jet contract in consecutive years, following its March 2024 selection to build the Air Force's F-47 stealth aircraft. The $20 billion contract, which may expand to hundreds of billions as production scales and international partners join, was chosen over Northrop Grumman's competing design. Boeing's longstanding role in carrier-based aircraft, including the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, was cited as a key factor in the decision, addressing earlier concerns about its capacity to manage multiple advanced programs simultaneously. The company's St. Louis facility, which is transitioning from F/A-18 production, will lead the new jet's development. Pentagon officials emphasized the aircraft's role in maintaining U.S. air dominance amid rising competition from China's sixth-generation fighter initiatives. The program has faced multi-year delays and funding disputes, with Congress allocating $750 million in 2025 and $1.4 billion for fiscal 2026 to sustain progress. Lockheed Martin was eliminated in March 2025 after its design failed to meet Navy requirements. The F/A-XX is expected to enter production in the 2030s, complementing the Navy's existing F-35C fleet, which will remain in service through the 2040s. Boeing's shares rose 2.25% in after-hours trading, while Northrop Grumman's declined 3.5%.