The Navy plans to select a single contractor for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase — a major step for the F/A-XX program designed to replace the current fleet of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. The next-generation jet is expected to offer both unmanned fighter aircraft and the Navy advanced stealth, greater range and endurance, and seamless integration with carrier-based defense systems. The Navy had no comment, when John Fallon officially took office as Navy secretary on Monday.
Completing the two advanced fighter jet programs could help reduce costs by allowing for larger bulk purchases of materials and the transfer of shared technologies between aircraft. Northrop Grumman remains a strong contender, building on its proven track record with innovative designs such as the B-2 and B-21 stealth bombers.
Lockheed Martin, once considered a leading contender, has struggled to align with the Navy’s needs, including a more modern radar system and improved carrier landing performance. On March 4, a Reuters report suggested that Lockheed had been eliminated from the competition, although the Navy has yet to publicly confirm the decision.
Boeing Wins $2.8 Billion ESS Satellite Contract from Space Force
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) gave Boeing a major boost last week, awarding the company a $2.8 billion contract to build the first two Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) satellites, beating out Northrop Grumman for the deal.
The ESS constellation will eventually take over from six Lockheed Martin Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) satellites that currently support U.S. Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3). The Space Force has scheduled ESS deployment for fiscal year 2030, with initial operational capability planned for fiscal year 2032. The Extended Data Rate Advanced EHF satellites already operate with five Milstar satellites — also developed by Lockheed Martin — that deliver low- and medium-data rate communications.
“The ESS includes cryptographic, ground and space components operated by the Space Force, as well as user terminals acquired by individual military services,” SSC said in announcing Boeing’s award for the first two satellites. “The initial four spacecraft will be developed under a cost-recovery framework. As part of the larger $12 billion ESS Space Segment program, future satellites are expected to be added through fixed-price contracts, which can be issued as sole-source awards to reach full operational capability and ensure global coverage, including expanded Arctic support.”
Why Northrop Grumman Won the F/A-XX Program
Initially, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing were all in the running for the next-generation fighter program. But in 2023, Northrop Grumman dropped out of the U.S. Air Force NGAD race, leaving Boeing and Lockheed Martin as finalists. Boeing ultimately secured the program, maintaining its fighter production line through 2027, when the Super Hornet line will be retired.
In March 2025, Lockheed Martin withdrew or cut its design from the Navy’s F/A-XX competition and chose not to continue. That decision left Northrop Grumman and Boeing competing for the contract. Boeing already maintains its fighter expertise through the F-47 program. If Boeing also wins the Navy contract, the company would control both sixth-generation platforms.
Northrop Grumman brings decades of fighter development expertise to the table, even though it doesn’t manufacture the current jet. It plays a key role in the F-35 program, building the center fuselage, sensors and communications systems. Its design heritage stretches back even further, including the 1970s Hornet program, from which today’s Super Hornet evolved. Although Boeing builds the Super Hornet, Northrop had more influence on the original design than Boeing.
Boeing’s NGAD victory is its first true clean-sheet fighter in decades, with a program worth more than $300 billion. Unlike the F-35’s single-aircraft strategy, NGAD is split into separate Air Force and Navy fighters, easing past integration challenges.
Meanwhile, Northrop Grumman, using both historical experience and advanced digital engineering, gives it a strong chance in the F/A-XX race. Awarding the contract to Northrop would restore its fighter production role and establish a balance among the nation’s three primary defense contractors, fostering competition that controls costs and schedules.
Leadership changes and progress in the VC-25B program
Burgess described Sullivan as a “strategic leader with extensive program management expertise” and a “strong history of guiding large billion-dollar military aircraft initiatives,” including the B-21 bomber and the X-47B experimental combat drone.
“We believe Steve’s leadership and problem-solving approach will bring real value to the VC-25B program as he steps into this important role,” Burgess said.
A Boeing representative declined to comment further for this story.
Sullivan will take over in September 2024 from Greg Coffey, who will assume the role of vice president and program manager for the VC-25B, according to his LinkedIn profile. Coffey will return to Boeing’s Air Dominance Division, where he will help advance the Air Force’s next-generation training jet as deputy program manager for the T-7A program.
“In the last four to five months, we’ve made more progress than we’ve made in the last four years. We’ve worked on requirements that once seemed impossible to meet,” Parker said during a roundtable discussion at the Paris Air Show. “We’re very close to getting into design. There are still some discussions with the Air Force and the administration on the configuration, but we’re moving at a very strong pace.”
Meanwhile, former President Trump is backing the construction of a third new Air Force aircraft based on 747s originally donated by Qatar, which, according to several media reports, are set to upgrade the L3 harris.
The competition between Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin highlights the changing dynamics of U.S. defense aviation. While Boeing won the NGAD and Air Force’s $2.8 billion ESS satellite contracts, Northrop Grumman has repositioned itself as a strong contender for the Navy’s F/A-XX program, leveraging decades of design expertise and digital engineering. At the same time, Boeing’s VC-25B program represents a change in leadership and demonstrates how important it is to push for deadlines while making progress on Air Force modernization. Together, these developments suggest that US major defense contractors are not just competing for dominance, but are also shaping the future of air power, space systems, and national security.
Leave a Reply