Northrop Grumman Expresses Confidence in Delivering F/A-XX Fighters for Navy

A company executive expressed confidence in the company's ability to meet the Navy's needs during an earnings call. She highlighted the company's track record with the B-21 Raider bomber program, which has remained on schedule and budget. The executive added that winning the contract would provide upside to the company's sales and earnings, making it a top priority.

Another company is the only other known competitor for the F/A-XX contract, having won the U.S. Air Force's sixth-generation fighter program in March 2025. It was reported last year that another firm had been eliminated from the competition. The Pentagon attempted to pause the Navy's program in its proposed budget due to industrial base capacity concerns.

Congress appropriated $1.69 billion in funding to keep F/A-XX moving ahead.

The president of the company's Aeronautics Systems sector stated that the company is ready to execute the program. An executive from the other company pushed back on the assertion that the U.S. industrial base could not support both programs at the same time last year. The Navy's top officer noted a careful mentality in the decision-making process.

The Navy looks set to request just over $140 million for the program in Fiscal Year 2027. This is a very meager sum, especially for a program of this magnitude. In contrast, the Air Force is seeking $5 billion in additional funding for its next-generation fighter effort. Securing the contract is expected to be significant for the winning company.