Northrop Grumman leaves SNC team in US Navy trainer aircraft competition
In the United States, Northrop Grumman has left the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) team offering the Freedom aircraft for the US Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System pilot training program. Breaking Defense reports.
The agreement is no longer in effect
Northrop Grumman joined SNC’s proposal in February 2026. Both companies confirmed to the publication that their cooperation agreement is no longer in effect.
In a statement, Northrop Grumman explained the decision by its intention to focus resources on opportunities where its existing capabilities and investments can have the greatest impact on mission execution. The company also stated that it remains committed to naval aviation and to providing the capabilities needed by the US military.
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Freedom remains in the competition
SNC will continue to advance its Freedom proposal for the naval aviation pilot training program. A representative of General Atomics–Aeronautical confirmed that the company will also remain SNC’s partner as part of Team Freedom.
Freedom’s competitor is Textron Aviation Defense’s Beechcraft M-346N proposal, which the company is submitting in partnership with Leonardo. In April, Lockheed Martin said it would not submit the TF-50N proposal for the program in partnership with Korea Aerospace Industries. Boeing also announced its withdrawal from the competition in June.
The exact timing of the US Navy’s decision is currently unknown. In September, the Navy postponed it until June 30, 2027. Meanwhile, Northrop Grumman is awaiting a decision on another major US Navy program — the competition for the sixth-generation F/A-XX fighter, in which Boeing is also participating.
