ST. LOUIS, Mo. – This week, the Department of War announced that Boeing has been awarded a $20 billion contract to develop the Navy’s Next-Generation F/A-XX Strike Fighter. Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement applauding the award for Missouri workers and one of the state’s largest employers.

Congressman Smith said, “The future of American airpower is being built right here in Missouri. Boeing is already building the Air Force’s F-47 in St. Louis, and now Missouri workers will be building the Navy’s new Strike Fighter too — cementing St. Louis as a global leader in aerospace. This contract means more jobs for Missourians, more business for the local suppliers that support Boeing, and a stronger national defense for the service members who depend on these aircraft.

“An investment of this size doesn’t stay in one place. It ripples through every community it touches, and Missouri families will feel it for years to come. This is a huge win for the Show-Me State, and I will continue fighting every day to bring good-paying jobs and investment like this to Missouri.”

Background:

• The Navy’s contract with Boeing covers development of the F/A-XX, including multiple test aircraft for ground, flight, systems, and weapons testing.
• The fighter will extend the reach of Navy aircraft carriers and work with both crewed and uncrewed aircraft, including Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
• The F/A-XX will begin supplementing and eventually replacing the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers in the 2030s, flying alongside the F-35C.
• This is Boeing’s second sixth-generation fighter win, following the Air Force’s F-47 in 2025.
• Boeing moved its defense headquarters back to St. Louis earlier this year, and the company employs more than 18,000 people in the region.
• Boeing is also building a new secure manufacturing facility in St. Louis, which the company calls the largest in the U.S.