Former Navy Commander on Revitalizing US Shipbuilding Amid Challenges
Former U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Tom Sauer stresses the urgent need to breathe new life into American shipbuilding. He points out the growing gap in naval ship counts between the U.S. and China. Sauer advocates for initiatives set forth by President Donald Trump, which call for a $210 billion investment in loan authorizations to develop advanced unmanned ships and ensure maritime superiority in the future.
The U.S. Navy has chosen Boeing to create a new fighter jet that officials believe will provide American pilots with an edge in combat, ensuring their success and safety.
The Department of Defense announced on Tuesday that Boeing has been awarded a contract exceeding $20 billion for the full-scale development of the F/A-XX, a sixth-generation fighter that aims to enhance the capabilities of Navy aircraft carriers and eventually replace some of the existing combat aircraft in service.
This deal marks Boeing’s second sixth-generation fighter project, following its selection for the Air Force’s F-47 in 2025, as noted by the company.
“Our strategy always involved the delivery of two advanced fighters simultaneously, and we’ve invested accordingly. We are set to manage multiple concurrent future combat aircraft programs,” said Steve Parker, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
The Navy’s contract encompasses multiple test aircraft destined for ground experiments, evaluations of airworthiness, and systems and weapons integration, according to the Department of Defense.
Michael P. Duffey, the under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, touted the F/A-XX as a vital element in maintaining peace through strength, insisting that it will excel in contested environments, extend operational reach, and provide a critical advantage for the military.
Duffey characterized the aircraft as a “critical, non-negotiable investment” essential to America’s national security and its long-term air combat capability.
Officials indicated that the fighter will also enhance the capabilities of the unmanned aircraft with which it collaborates.
Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao described the contract as the dawn of a “new era” for the Navy. He highlighted the F/A-XX as part of the Next Generation Air Dominance program and mentioned that it would work in harmony with both manned and unmanned aircraft, including Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
As Boeing continues its work on the manufacturing facility in St. Louis, it is moving forward by preparing to produce multiple aircraft featuring next-generation technologies.
Looking ahead to the 2030s, the F/A-XX is projected to supplement and ultimately replace older models like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers, according to the Department of Defense. It will also assume roles alongside the F-35C.
“Indeed, investment in infrastructure is just one part of the equation; we are also pouring resources into technology and workforce development to meet our customers’ needs,” Parker added.
