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Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets are being relocated as part of their service life modification work.
The Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet Service Life Modification (SLM) will be relocated to St Louis, Missouri, as part of an expansion and transition plan starting next year.
Boeing said the SLM work is “critical to supporting the US Navy’s readiness needs”.
SLM work will see the fighter jet upgraded to Block III capabilities involving improvements in the internal network and communication systems, enhanced mission processors and increases to the overall stealth and efficiency of the jet. The Super Hornet will have an additional 4,000 flight hours added to its capacity, ensuring a long and sustainable service of the jet.
Seeing the existing success of SLM work in alternate locations in Jacksonville (Florida) and San Diego (California), Boeing said this “multi-year strategic plan” is the right move to ensure overall effectiveness of the aircraft. The SLM program will see work on Boeing aircraft continue into the mid-2030s, with all current Block II Super Hornets being upgraded to Block III capabilities.
“Given we are already successfully conducting SLM at other locations, this move is logical,” said Dan Gillian, Boeing vice president and general manager of air dominance and St Louis site executive.
“We can continue to meet our customers’ commitments while ensuring we are well poised for future work.”
The F/A-18 is one of the US Navy’s most valuable assets, which Boeing calls the “backbone of the Navy’s strike fighter inventory”. The multi-role, supersonic twin-engine aircraft is currently in service with the US Navy and recently celebrated 15 years of service with the Royal Australian Air Force in March.
“We have worked with the Navy for years to improve SLM while growing in San Antonio and FRC Southwest,” Boeing Fighters Programs vice president Mark Sears said.
“Delivering multiple fighters and capabilities from multiple locations is what we do, and we will continue that work on the Super Hornets for the life of the fleet.”
Boeing’s St Louis base is currently in charge of production for the F-15EX, T-7A and MQ-25 fighter jets as well as joint direct attack munition kits and additional munitions models.
