**National Harbor, Md. —** The Navy’s upcoming sixth-generation fighter, known as the F/A-XX, may be its last manned fighter, according to Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, the director of the Navy’s air warfare division. This statement was made during the Navy League’s Sea Air Space conference.
The F/A-XX will incorporate advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, enhancing battlespace awareness and decision-making for naval aviators. Donnelly noted that these advancements may facilitate more coordinated operations between piloted and unmanned aircraft, including the Navy’s planned AI-operated drone wingmen and potential larger unmanned platforms.
“It could be our last tactical manned fighter that we operate out of the Navy,” Donnelly stated. He emphasized that the F/A-XX would represent a shift toward a hybrid air wing, integrating crewed and uncrewed platforms for future operations in the 2040s.
Donnelly also mentioned that the F/A-XX is designed to excel in contested environments, outperforming current Navy fighters. “We do that today, but we do it at parity because of the capabilities we have fielded today,” he explained, indicating that the F/A-XX will provide a next-level improvement.
While Navy officials did not disclose a timeline for an announcement regarding the F/A-XX, it is anticipated to come soon. For context, the Air Force’s equivalent, the F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter made by Boeing, was announced by President Donald Trump on March 21, during an Oval Office event. Recent reports have indicated that Lockheed Martin has been eliminated from the competition for the F/A-XX, leaving Boeing and Northrop Grumman as the remaining contenders.
At the Sea Air Space event, Donnelly highlighted that the F/A-XX is expected to have a range exceeding 25% compared to the current Navy fighters. For reference, the F/A-18 Super Hornet has a combat range of approximately 1,275 nautical miles, while the carrier-based F-35C Joint Strike Fighter can cover over 1,200 nautical miles. According to Donnelly, “That’s a core attribute of the F/A-XX,” which, combined with refueling capabilities, could extend its range indefinitely.
**Stephen Losey** is the air warfare reporter for Defense News and has covered various military topics, previously reported on leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and has extensive experience covering U.S. Air Force operations in the Middle East.
