Boeing expects to complete new-build production of the F/A-18 Super Hornet by the end of 2025, after delivering the final batch of fighters to the U.S. Navy. If the Super Hornet is selected by an international customer, production could be extended to 2027.
Developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) in the 1970s and 1980s, the F/A-18 family of fighter jets brought about A change in the use of carbon fiber composites in military aircraft. In 1976, the original McDonell Douglas Corporation took the lead in developing the composite wing of F/A-18, and the amount of carbon fiber composite exceeded 10% for the first time. Later, the automatic wire laying technology was further used to manufacture 12 pieces of fuselage skin, 10 pieces of intake pipe skin and 4 pieces of horizontal tail skin for FA-18E/F, and the amount of carbon fiber composite material also exceeded 20%.
It is worth mentioning that the most advanced fighter jet in the world, the U.S. fifth-generation fighter F/A-22, is made of carbon fiber composite materials in the most important parts such as the fuselage, wing and tail, accounting for 34% of the total. (More on the use of carbon fiber composites in fighter jets in next Monday's "Exclusive" article. Stay tuned.)
To meet the demand for defense products and services, Boeing plans to continue hiring at its St. Louis facility over the next five years. Last year, the area employed more than 900 people.
Steve Nordlund, vice president of Air Superiority and head of Boeing's St. Louis facility, said: "We are planning for our future, building fighter jets is in our DNA, and as we invest in and develop next-generation capabilities, we are applying the same innovation and expertise that has made the F/A-18 the workhorse of the U.S. Navy and Air Force around the globe for nearly 40 years."
The F/A-18 production decision redirects Boeing's resources to future military aircraft programs. To support the next generation of advanced manned and unmanned aircraft, Boeing plans to build three new facilities in St. Louis. These facilities, along with a new advanced composite manufacturing center in Arizona and a new MQ-25 production facility at the Central American St. Louis Airport, represent an investment of more than $1 billion.
Over the past decade, Boeing has invested $700 million in infrastructure upgrades in St. Louis that have introduced new design and construction techniques, streamlined processes and improved first-build quality.
Boeing St. Louis will increase production of the T-7A Red Hawk, the world's first fully digital training system, and the MQ-25 Stingray, the world's first automatic tanker on board, while continuing production of the new F-15EX Eagle II and 777X wing assemblies.
Boeing will continue to develop advanced capabilities and upgrades for the global F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets. Over the next ten years, all active duty Block II Super Hornets will receive the Block III Ability Kit. Boeing will also continue to add advanced electronic attack capabilities as part of the ongoing Growler refit.
Since the F/A-18 debuted in 1983, Boeing has delivered more than 2,000 Hornets, Super Hornets, and EA-18G Growlers to customers around the world, including the U.S. Navy, Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain, and Switzerland.
