G Program Office News Today

The U.S. Navy awarded The Boeing Company a $1.3 billion contract March 19 for the purchase of 17 F/A-18 Super Hornets and delivery of a technical data package vital to the sustainment of the platform.

Born out of necessity and innovation, the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet introduced a level of aircraft superiority that had not been seen before and set the standard for future development of next-gen fighters. Now, celebrating the 45th anniversary of its first flight Nov. 18, the original strike fighter aircraft is affectionately referred to as the “Legacy.”

Boeing and the US Navy have completed a series of manned-unmanned teaming flight tests in which a Block III F/A-18 Super Hornet successfully demonstrated command and control of three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Controlling unmanned adjuncts from manned fighters accounts for one of the main areas of airpower development.

The continued delivery of Block III Super Hornet to the U.S. Navy comes amid Boeing’s ongoing efforts to expand the fighter’s presence in foreign markets. Switzerland chose the F-35 over the Super Hornet in July as part of a $6.5 billion procurement search, but Super Hornet remains an import contender for Canada, Finland, and Germany.