Announced on a March 19th contract bulletin, Boeing had apparently reversed course on ending Super Hornet production, securing a $1.1 billion contract to deliver new F/A-18s to the US Navy.
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Remember that time last year when Boeing said they were saying goodbye to the F/A-18 Super Hornet? Yeah, well, forget about that.
In a move that left everyone scratching their heads, Boeing just signed a brand new $1.1 billion contract with the US Navy to whip up a fresh batch of these fighter jets.
Here’s the lowdown: Uncle Sam wants 17 shiny new Super Hornets, a mix of single-seater E models and two-seater F models, to add some muscle to their naval fleet.
This comes with a bonus tech data package to keep these jets in tip-top shape.
The whole production is expected to wrap up by April 2027, with most of the work happening in Boeing factories in Missouri and California.
This about-face is pretty darn interesting.
Back in February 2023, Boeing was all like, “We’re outta the Super Hornet biz, gotta focus on newer stuff!”
They were basically saying they wanted to trade in their flip phone for the latest smartphone (a.k.a. the sixth-generation F-15EX) when it comes to fighter jets.
An F-15EX fighter jet flies by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, November 8, 2021. (Image source: DVIDS)
The F/A-18 Super Hornet’s production chapter was supposed to close in late 2025 after the last fighter jets were delivered, but I guess that’s not the case now.
Super Hornet: The OG Fighter Jet with Bite
But hold on a sec; let’s talk about this legendary aircraft. The F/A-18 Super Hornet ain’t your grandma’s knitting project.
First emerged in the early 80s, this multi-role fighter jet is a true bad boy, capable of breaking the sound barrier at an incredible Mach 1.7 and zooming over 1,275 nautical miles (1,467 miles) on a single tank (well, not exactly one tank, but you get the idea).
Think “Top Gun” with way more firepower. These jets can handle air-to-air combat like a boss, precisely take down ground targets, and even gather intel on enemy forces.
They’re basically the Swiss Army knife of the fighter jet world, packing a serious punch with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for close encounters, AIM-7 Sparrow missiles for taking out medium-range threats, and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for those pesky long-distance aerial foes.
FA-18F Super Hornet (Image source DVIDS)
So, What’s the Deal with the U-Turn?
Boeing’s keeping quiet about the exact reason for this change of heart, but this new contract suggests the Super Hornet still packs a serious punch.
Maybe the Navy realized they weren’t quite ready to say goodbye to this reliable workhorse, or perhaps there’s something else brewing behind the scenes.
One thing’s for sure: Boeing’s still committed to developing next-generation fighter jets.
It’ll be fascinating to see how the Super Hornet production line fits into their long-term plans.
Will it be a smooth transition to the new hotshot jets, or will the Super Hornet continue to be a mainstay in the US Navy’s arsenal? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, this news throws a curveball into the world of fighter jets.
Did Boeing miss the Super Hornet after all? Did the Navy have a change of heart? One thing’s for sure: this story is far from over, and we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more intel on this aerial soap opera.
