The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a $198 million deal to extend the service life of its F/A-18 Block II Super Hornet fighter jets and integrate advanced Block III avionics capabilities, the Pentagon announced.
The new contract increases the overall ceiling for a program aimed at modernizing and sustaining one of the Navy’s most widely deployed carrier-based aircraft. The upgrade effort will extend the aircraft’s service life from 6,000 flight hours to 10,000 flight hours, ensuring that the Super Hornet fleet remains a central component of U.S. naval aviation for years to come.
Work under the contract will be carried out at Boeing facilities and partner sites in San Diego, California (44.4%); San Antonio, Texas (43.1%); and St. Louis, Missouri (12.5%). The program is expected to be completed by February 2027.
According to the Department of War, no funds will be obligated at the time of the award; funding will instead be allocated to individual orders as they are issued. Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, Maryland, is overseeing the contract.
The Super Hornet, manufactured by Boeing and operated by the U.S. Navy, has served as the backbone of the carrier air wing for more than two decades. It is capable of executing a wide range of missions, including air superiority, strike, close air support, and maritime interdiction. Extending the aircraft’s service life is critical as the Navy manages the transition to next-generation systems such as the F-35C while maintaining operational readiness.
The service life modification (SLM) program is part of a broader effort by the Navy to modernize its tactical aviation fleet amid evolving threats and shifting mission requirements. By upgrading older aircraft with improved avionics, sensors, and networking capabilities, the Navy aims to enhance combat effectiveness while reducing the need for immediate large-scale procurement of new airframes.
The Block III upgrade is a central component of that strategy. It adds advanced avionics, a larger cockpit display, enhanced networking capabilities, reduced radar cross-section, and increased range and survivability. These improvements are designed to give the Super Hornet improved situational awareness and integration with next-generation platforms, ensuring the aircraft remains relevant in highly contested environments.
For Boeing, the contract represents a continuation of its longstanding partnership with the Navy and underscores the company’s role in sustaining key elements of U.S. air power. The Super Hornet remains in service not only with the U.S. Navy but also with several allied air forces, and upgrades to the platform have been an ongoing priority as global demand for advanced fighter capabilities increases.
The Navy has been steadily extending the life of its F/A-18 fleet to bridge the gap until future programs — including the service’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative — become fully operational. By upgrading existing aircraft, the service can maintain a robust and flexible force structure capable of responding to threats in multiple theaters, including the Indo-Pacific.
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