People familiar with the decision say that the U.S. Navy has eliminated Lockheed Martin Corp. from the competition for its next-generation stealth fighter. This is a crucial part of the plans to face China at home.

Lockheed Martin will be eliminated from the competition for the next-generation fighter aircraft, the F/A-XX. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft, in service with the Navy since the 1990s, will be replaced by the new jet.

Lockheed Martin asked the Navy to comment. The Navy didn't immediately respond to Lockheed Martin's request for comment.

Two sources familiar with the program have said that Lockheed Martin has not met the criteria for moving forward in the competition.

One source said that the Navy was holding off on making a decision until a Secretary of the Navy had been confirmed. John Phelan is the President

Donald Trump

On February 27, the Senate held a hearing to determine who would be the next Secretary of the Navy. A confirmation vote has not been publicly scheduled.

The two remaining competitors will receive a contract for Engineering and Manufacturing Development. The Pentagon will evaluate their designs and select a contractor for the jet. It is expected that the jet will enter service within the next decade.

The U.S. Air Force also works on a sixth generation jet fighter, but in 2024 it paused to address concerns about cost and rethink requirements.

Although the Pentagon didn't mention China when it put the program on hold in January, two photos and videos of new Chinese aircraft were released.

radical tailless designs

Next-generation technology could be the answer.

The Navy moving forward with a sixth-generation fighter could give the Trump administration an opportunity to show off its ability to stand against Chinese regional ambitions, although some members of the administration and billionaire advisors disagree.

Elon Musk

, has criticized advanced fighters for being a waste.

Quantity, value, and timeliness remain classified. However, previous contracts, such as the F-35, have been worth billions over the course of their life.

The U.S. Navy plans to purchase more than 270 F-35C aircraft for its carrier fleet.

The F/A-XX will feature improved stealth, range, endurance and integration with the Navy's air defense systems on carriers.

Breaking Defense reported earlier on Lockheed’s departure. (Reporting and editing by Leslie Adler, Stephen Coates and Mike Stone)

(source: Reuters)