Boeing delivers first two F/A-18 Block III fighters with extended service life

Boeing has completed the upgrade of the first two F/A-18 Super Hornet Block II fighters to Block III.

The Service Life Modification (SLM) program was contracted by the US Navy in 2023 and envisages extending the useful life of aircraft by 4,000 hours.

According to the company, the Super Hornets have the same capacity as the new F/A-18E/F that are being produced in the latest order for the fighter in the USA.

Block III upgrades include a large area display and more powerful computing through Tactical Targeting Network Technology and a Distributed Targeting Processor-Networked open mission systems processor. The work is being done at Boeing facilities in St. Louis and San Antonio, and the Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Southwest in San Diego.

“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,” said Capt. Michael Burks, program manager for the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office. “We look forward to our continued partnership with Boeing to deliver this critical warfighting capability to the fleet.”

Boeing is expected to end production of the Super Hornet in 2027 after the final order from the US Navy is completed.

The company was competing against the Indian Navy and could keep the assembly line open, however, Dassault was the winner with the naval version of the Rafale.

The US Navy is expected to operate the Super Hornet for many years, alongside the F-35C. The future 6th generation fighter, on the other hand, does not have a clear prognosis since the F/A-XX program was suspended.