Boeing has received an additional $198 million under the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornet modernization program. The goal is to extend the service life of these carrier-based fighters until a sixth-generation replacement arrives, something the fifth-generation F-35C has not managed to achieve.
As part of the program, the service life of Block II Super Hornets will be extended from 6,000 to 10,000 flight hours, significantly prolonging their operational use. The upgrades will also include integration of Block III capabilities.
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It's worth noting that this allocation does not provide new funding directly but instead raises the ceiling of the existing contract by $198 million. Future task orders will be signed under this expanded limit for specific upgrade work.
Today, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet remains the backbone of the Navy's carrier air wings, with over 400 aircraft in service and more still on order. They are already being equipped with the latest weapons, including the long-range AIM-174B air-to-air missile.
Still, the Super Hornet is a 4+ generation fighter. Despite its strong capabilities, it lags behind newer designs, while the F-35C despite solid production rates still makes up only a fraction of the Navys fleet. The long-term solution is expected to come from the next-generation F/A-XX program, for which funding has been secured. However, questions remain about when the aircraft will be ready and how quickly it can be produced in sufficient numbers.
Until then, the Navy will continue to modernize the Super Hornet fleet, and further contract expansions are highly likely to ensure incremental improvements.
Block III enhancements include the extended 10,000-hour service life, greater range, reduced radar signature, upgraded avionics, and a redesigned cockpit featuring a large touchscreen display. The package also adds improved AN/APG-79 radars, the IRST Block II infrared search and track system, and the IDECM (Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures) suite.
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