Boeing completes early upgrades of F/A-18 Block III Super Hornets for the U.S. Navy, enhancing defense capabilities through efficient partnership-driven advancements.
Boeing has successfully completed the upgrade and life extension of the initial two service life modification (SLM) F/A-18 Block III Super Hornets. Boeing delivered them to the U.S. Navy ahead of schedule: one month early from St. Louis and two months early from San Antonio. The upgraded aircraft now match the capabilities of Super Hornets produced on Boeing’s new-build assembly line.
Faye Dixon, Boeing SLM director, said, “Our success in meeting the accelerated timeline is proof our service life modification game plan is working. Thanks to our years of learning on the program and our partnership with the Navy, the F/A-18 Super Hornet remains at the forefront of defense technology with renewed years of service to support the fleet.”
In collaboration with the Navy, Boeing has enhanced productivity to complete Block III upgrades ahead of the 15-month contractual requirement. Boeing facilitated this achievement by establishing a baseline for Block II F/A-18 conditions upon receipt and by the Navy’s proactive preparation of jets. Additionally , These measures ensured efficient progress and readiness for Block III upgrades. Furthermore, information and best practices were shared across multiple SLM sites to improve efficiency, workload management, and resource allocation.
Mark Sears, Boeing Fighters vice president, said, “Great measures were taken by the Boeing and Navy teams to ensure these are the safest and most capable Block III F/A-18s we can give our warfighters. These are just the first of many deliveries, with around 15 years of SLM deliveries to go. Our warfighters are counting on us to get this right every time.”
Block III upgrades for F/A-18 Super Hornets feature enhanced capabilities like a large area display and advanced computing. Boeing in St. Louis and San Antonio, along with the Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Southwest in San Diego, are conducting this work.
Capt. Michael Burks, program manager for the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office, said, “These first deliveries of Block III SLM jets are a major milestone in our continued efforts to ensure capability, reliability, availability and maintainability of the Super Hornet aircraft. We look forward to our continued partnership with Boeing to deliver this critical warfighting capability to the fleet.”
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In March, Boeing and the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest signed a Public-Private Partnership agreement. This allows the center to perform Block III SLM work previously conducted in St. Louis and San Antonio.
Q. – What recent accomplishment has Boeing achieved with the F/A-18 Block III Super Hornets?
A. – Early completion of upgrades and life extension.
Q. – How early were the upgraded F/A-18 Block III Super Hornets delivered to the U.S. Navy?
A. – One month early from St. Louis and two months early from San Antonio.
