F-18 Super Hornet. Photo: Wikimedia
The United States Navy will receive 17 new Super Hornets for $1.3 billion, but these will be the last F-18s manufactured by Boeing
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After prolonged negotiations and objections from the Pentagon, Boeing and the United States Navy have finally reached an agreement for the production of 17 new F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft. The contract, valued at $1.3 billion, includes five single-seat F/A-18Es and twelve two-seat F/A-18Fs, which will be delivered as part of the 46th and 47th production lots, respectively.
Delivery of the new aircraft is scheduled to begin in winter 2026 and be completed by spring 2027, marking a significant expansion for the U.S. Navy’s fleet, which currently comprises 420 F/A-18 Super Hornets. These planes form the backbone of the Navy’s carrier-based aviation.
F-18 Super Hornet. Photo: Wikimedia
The average cost of each unit is approximately $76 million, highlighting the United States’ ongoing investment in its air defense capabilities. This development is notable not only for the financial commitment involved but also for the context in which the agreement was reached.
Originally, Boeing had plans to close the Super Hornet assembly line in St. Louis, Florida, by 2025, following the completion of all current contracts for this specific type of aircraft. However, this new contract ensures the continuation of Super Hornet production beyond the scheduled timeframe, thus ensuring the maintenance of the U.S. Navy’s carrier-based air defense capability for many years to come.
Following this delivery, barring any new geopolitical twists, Boeing plans to halt the production of the Super Hornet.
