• A new-build Block III F/A-18 Super Hornet takes off from Lambert International Airport in St. Louis. In comparison, service life modification Block IIIs are upgraded Block II Super Hornets. 

Credit: Boeing
    A new-build Block III F/A-18 Super Hornet takes off from Lambert International Airport in St. Louis. In comparison, service life modification Block IIIs are upgraded Block II Super Hornets. Credit: Boeing
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Boeing has completed upgrade and life extension work on the first two service life modification (SLM) F/A-18 Block III Super Hornets.

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.

“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.”

The upgraded jets have the same capabilities as new-build Block III Super Hornets being delivered from Boeing’s production line.

Work to upgrade the US Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornets is currently being done at Boeing sites in St. Louis and San Antonio, however, Boeing and the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest in San Diego signed a Public-Private Partnership agreement in March that will allow the same work to be done there.

In total that means that there are three lines able to upgrade Super Hornets to the Block III standard across the US.

While Australia hasn't formally decided to upgrade its fleet of F/A-18F Block II Super Hornets the Block III configuration, through a spiral development program, they are kept in line with their US counterparts through a two year cycle of hardware and software enhancements.

In January 2024, Defence announced that Boeing Defence Australia had been awarded a $600 million contract extension for the Air Combat and Electronic Attack Sustainment Contract, which will see the company maintain, sustain and upgrade Australia's fleet of F/A-18Fs and E/A-18Gs until at least 2030.

"The F/A‑18F Super Hornet and EA‑18G Growler will be provided with lethality and survivability upgrades, while maintaining their interoperability with the United States and other key partners.Defence is looking to extend the operational life of both these capabilities to 2040," stated the 2024 Integrated Investment Plan (IIP).

 

 

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