Lockheed Martin has reportedly been excluded from the US Navy’s effort to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
A source with information on the initiative told Breaking Defense that the company’s proposal failed to meet the rigorous requirements set by the navy.
The decision marks a significant setback for Lockheed, which has long been a key manufacturer of advanced jets for the US military, including the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II.
With Lockheed’s elimination, the competition for the US Navy’s NGAD program is now down to two major contenders: Boeing and Northrop Grumman.
Although Lockheed is no longer in the running for the navy’s NGAD program, it remains eligible to produce a sixth-generation fighter jet for the US Air Force under the same initiative.
The US Navy’s NGAD Program
The navy’s NGAD program seeks to develop a next-generation stealth combat aircraft, called the F/A-XX, which will be crucial to achieve air superiority.
The aircraft is expected to feature enhanced range, endurance, and the capability to integrate with drones and carrier-based air defense systems.
According to John Phelan, the Trump administration’s pick to become the next navy secretary, the sixth-generation fighter would empower Carrier Strike Groups to outpace adversaries while preserving naval air dominance.
Though he did not provide specifics, Phelan indicated that the aircraft would likely share attributes with the Air Force’s NGAD fighter.
Once developed, the F/A-XX will replace the navy’s aging F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet and complement the current F-35s in service.
Several Navy officials have expressed optimism that a contract for the NGAD program will be awarded this year, despite the US Air Force pausing its own sixth-generation fighter initiative.
The exact value and timeline of the program remain classified.
