The US Department of Defense has signed a contract worth more than $20 billion with Boeing to develop the sixth-generation F/A-XX fighter aircraft for the Navy.

Operativ Media reports that this was announced in a statement released by the US Department of Defense on September 29.

Under the contract, a number of prototypes will be developed to test the aircraft.

The US plans for the carrier-based F/A-XX fighters to eventually replace F/A-18E Super Hornet, F/A-18F Super Hornet, and EA-18G Growler aircraft.

According to experts' estimates, the total cost of the program could eventually reach hundreds of billions of dollars.

US Deputy Secretary of Defense Michael Duffy stated that the deployment of F/A-XX fighters will provide the American military with a "decisive combat advantage."

Northrop Grumman Corporation also competed for the contract.

Notably, the Pentagon has also tasked Boeing with developing the sixth-generation F-47 fighter for the US Air Force in 2025.