US Navy Focuses on Drones With F/A-XX Delayed

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The US Navy is spending aggressively on integrating and developing drones, CCAs, and networking upgrades for its F-35C and Super Hornet fleets. The next-generation F/A-XX fighter is largely delayed. The hope is for unmanned and loyal wingman drone deployment and incremental fighter upgrades.

MQ-25 Stingray
The MQ-25 Stingray (see above) is the U.S. Navy’s carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling and ISR drone, designed to extend the range of carrier air wings and free up F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from tanking roles. The program targets a total of 76 aircraft (9 development/test + 67 production). It is in the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase, with Boeing as the prime contractor. As with all things Boeing, the production and deployment is falling years behind schedule.

MQ4C Triton
The Navy now plans to acquire 27 MQ4C Tritons and so far 6-8 have been deployed and 11 delivered. The MQ-4C Triton is the U.S. Navy’s high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). As of August 2025, the program has faced budget-driven reductions from an original plan of 70 aircraft (5 development + 65 production) to a revised total of 27 aircraft (including 5 development and 22 production models). Production is in low-rate initial production (LRIP) phases, with the final delivery expected in October 2028. The Navy operates one squadron (VUP-19) currently, with a second (VUP-11) planned for establishment in FY2026. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was achieved in 2018, and Full Operational Capability (FOC) in 2023. Most of these should be deployed by 2028. Northrop Grumman is the prime for the MQ-4C Triton.