U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX 6th Generation Fighter Gets Funding Boost, Enters DOT&E’s Operational Test and Live Fire Evaluations
Published on 04/06/2025
By Carter Johnston
The U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX 6th generation fighter has entered Operational Test (OT&E) and Live Fire (LF&E) Evaluation as the aircraft makes headway towards a final contract award.
The U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX has transitioned from its long standing Developmental Test and Evaluation period to a combination of Developmental Testing (DT), Operational Testing (OT), and Live Fire (LF) evaluation last month within the the Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation amid rumors of cancellations and contract awards.
The transition occurred between December 2024 and April 2025—in the first quarter of FY2025.
U.S. officials reported that the F/A-XX was in late stages of development during a hearing in front of the House Armed Services Committee in April. At that time, the program was in source selection environment between two remaining bidders for the aircraft. U.S. officials confirmed to Naval News that a contract has not been awarded, but is expected soon. At the same time, the program has received additional funding in bills passed through Congress.
“Design maturation efforts remain on track and the program is now considered to be in a source selection environment.”
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/06/u-s-navys-f-a-xx-6th-generation-fighter-gets-funding-boost-enters-dotes-operational-test-and-live-fire-evaluations/
