American Aerospace giant Boeing has now reversed a decision to cut production of F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets by next year, after it managed to bag a deal to supply 17 of the Jets by year 2027.
The statement in this regard is ,
The U.S. Navy awarded The Boeing Company a $1.3 billion contract March 19 for the purchase of 17 F/A-18 Super Hornets and delivery of a technical data package vital to the sustainment of the platform.
Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md. want the Boeing Defense, Space & Security segment in St. Louis to build 10 F/A-18F Lot 46 aircraft; two F/A-18F; and five F/A-18E Lot 47 aircraft.
U.S. Navy photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cameron Stoner.
Worth noting, in February last year, Boeing had announced that it would no longer produce the Super Hornet beginning in 2025 after nearly four decades of building the fourth-generation fighterjet.
Valued at $1.14 billion, the contract is expected to be completed by April 2027, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the winter of 2026. Boeing will also provide a technical data package, including the operation, maintenance, installation and training data to support F/A-18 and EA-18G sustainment efforts for the U.S. Navy.
Rear Adm. John Lemmon, Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs said ,
“The technical data package was a crucial part of this negotiation; it is necessary for naval aviation’s operational readiness and post-production sustainment,” “The Super Hornet remains a predominant aircraft in the carrier air wing and will continue to provide significant combat capability into the 2040s.”
The Navy received appropriated funds from Congress to purchase these Super Hornets to help mitigate the strike fighter shortfall. The award is an Undefinitized Contract Action with the intent to definitize within the next few months.
Capt. Michael Burks, Program Manager for the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office said ,
“I am very proud of our team; their mission-focused mindset, data-driven approach and persistence resulted in an agreement that will greatly benefit the sustainment of the Super Hornet and Growler aircraft well into the future,” “It is our job to ensure our warfighters have all the necessary resources to defend our nation and return home safely.”
Under a $5.3 billion multi-year procurement contract awarded in September 2010, Boeing is already obligated to manufacture 124 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growler aircraft .
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