The US Navy is setting its sights on the future of naval aviation, seeking significant funding to kickstart its sixth-generation fighter program. The annual Unfunded Priorities List (UPL) for fiscal year 2026, obtained by Breaking Defense, reveals a $1.4 billion request earmarked for the F/A-XX program, the Navy’s next-generation strike fighter.
Future Carrier Air Wing Takes Flight
In its letter to lawmakers, the Navy emphasized the importance of the F/A-XX, stating that the additional funding would enable the Navy to award the 6th Generation Strike Fighter contract to industry. The Navy envisions the fighter as a „critical component” of both the future Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and the „air wing of the future.”
Munitions Stockpiles to Get a Boost
Beyond the next-generation fighter, the Navy’s UPL also includes a hefty $2.2 billion request to bolster the munitions industrial base and replenish critical stockpiles. This includes $1.4 billion aimed at addressing bottlenecks in lower-tier munitions components and expanding existing suppliers, as the service acknowledges that its industrial base is „unable to keep pace with the growing demand for increased production.”
Replenishing Key Weapon Systems
An additional $841 million is specifically targeted at replenishing inventories for key weapons programs, including Standard Missile-6 (SM-6), Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, Maritime Strike Tomahawk, Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles. The Navy highlights the heavy reliance on SM-6 missiles for integrated air and missile defense, particularly in the recent Red Sea conflict.
Marines Focus on Force Design
Meanwhile, the Marine Corps’ UPL features approximately three dozen smaller requests, totaling $2.8 billion, focused on various efforts associated with its ongoing Force Design. These include funding for unmanned systems, munitions programs, and aircraft spares, among other priorities.
