Date Set for Completion of F/A-18 Production
Boeing Defense, Space & Security expects to complete new-build production of the F/A-18 in late 2025, following delivery of the final US Navy aircraft, though production could be extended to 2027 if the Super Hornet is selected by an international customer, the company stated on 23 February.
To meet demand for defence products and services, Boeing plans to continue hiring over the next five years at its St. Louis site: over 900 people were hired locally last year. “We are planning for our future, and building fighter aircraft is in our DNA,” said Steve Nordlund, Boeing VP Air Dominance and St. Louis site leader. “As we invest in and develop the next era of capability, we are applying the same innovation and expertise that made the F/A-18 a workhorse for the US Navy and air forces around the world for nearly 40 years.”
The F/A-18 production decision allows Boeing to:
- Redirect resources to future military aircraft programmes.To support work on the next generation of advanced manned and unmanned aircraft, Boeing plans to build three new facilities in St. Louis, as well as the new Advanced Composite Fabrication Center in Arizona, and the new MQ-25 production facility at MidAmerica St Louis Airport. Together, these represent more than $1 billion in investment – Boeing has invested $700 million in St Louis infrastructure upgrades over the past decade, enabling the introduction of new design and build techniques, streamlining processes and improving first-time quality;
- Ramp up production of critical new defence programmes. Boeing St. Louis will increase production of the world’s first all-digital training system, the T-7A Red Hawk, and the world’s first carrier-deployed autonomous refuelling aircraft, the MQ-25 Stingray, along with ongoing production of new F-15EX Eagle IIs and 777X wing components;
- Focus on modernisation and upgrade efforts. Boeing will continue to develop advanced capabilities and upgrades for the global F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleet. Throughout the next decade, all Block II Super Hornets in Service Life Modification will receive the Block III capability suite. Boeing will also continue to add advanced electronic attack capability as part of ongoing Growler modifications.
Since the F/A-18 debuted in 1983, Boeing has delivered more than 2,000 Hornets, Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers to customers around the world, including the US Navy and Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland.
