Boeing to Extend US Navy Super Hornet Service Life by 4,000 Flight Hours

Boeing has been awarded a $313.4 million contract to upgrade the US Navy’s F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet multi-role fighter aircraft, extending the service life of 25 jets from 6,000 flight hours to 10,000.

The company will also provide non-recurring engineering and system engineering program management.

Additionally, the aircraft will be fitted with Block III avionics capabilities to improve its performance.

A majority of the work for the contract will be performed in Texas, with an expected completion date of February 2025.

Boeing’s F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft has two F414-GE-400 turbofan engines, allowing it to fly at more than Mach 1.8 (2,222 kilometers/1,381 miles per hour).

It is armed with high-powered weapons, including one Vulcan 20mm cannon, AIM 9 Sidewinder, AIM 7 Sparrow, and Harpoon missiles.

The latest Block III upgrade incorporates an advanced cockpit system, reduced radar cross-section, and an advanced networking infrastructure.

Earlier this year, Boeing announced that it would no longer produce the F/A-18 Super Hornet beginning in late 2025.

However, it vowed to continue providing upgrades to the aircraft to meet the US Navy’s operational requirements for years to come.