Boeing has announced plans to end the F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft production in late 2025 as the decision will let it focus on future military aircraft programmes.
The latest revelation will take effect after delivery of the final F/A-18 jet to the US Navy.
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The company said that the production timeline ‘could be extended’ for another two years, until 2027, if an international customer places an order for the fighter jet.
Boeing is shifting its focus on fulfilling the future demands of defence platforms and services. It will further ramp-up production work associated with T-7A Red Hawk all-digital training systems, MQ-25 Stingray, new F-15EX Eagle IIs.
For supporting its future goals, the aircraft manufacturer will expand hiring activities at its St. Louis site in Missouri, US in the next five years.
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Besides, Boeing will redirect its resources for developing next generation crewed/uncrewed aircraft and supporting future military aircraft programmes.
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By GlobalDataBoeing is also considering setting up three new facilities in St. Louis.
The three new facilities, along with Boeing’s Advanced Composite Fabrication Center, Arizona and MQ-25 production site, MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, is expected to require over $1bn of investment.
In the past few years, Boeing has invested around $700m for providing infrastructure upgrades at St. Louis site to introduce new designs and build techniques.
Boeing Air Dominance vice-president and St. Louis site leader Steve Nordlund said: “As we invest in and develop next era of capability, we are applying same innovation and expertise that made F/A-18 a workhorse for the US Navy and air forces around the world for nearly 40 years.”
Boeing will continue to support modernisation work for the global fleet of F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler.
The company will provide Block-III capability suite upgrade to all Block-II Super Hornets currently undergoing in-service life modification. Efforts to advance electronic attack capabilities of Growlers will also continue.
