The US Navy and Boeing celebrated the delivery of 500 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers to the US Navy in a ceremony at the company’s St Louis factory on April 20.
“Today is another significant milestone for a program that has by any measure exceeded expectations for cost, schedule and performance,” US Navy F/A-18 and EA-18G program manager (PMA-265) Captain Mark Darrah said.
F/A-18 and EA-18 Programs vice president Kory Mathews said both the Super Hornet and Growler had “continuously increased capability for the warfighter while reducing cost for the Navy and the taxpayer”.
“These aircraft were designed with extensive growth capacity, enabling evolutionary technology to be added throughout the life of the aircraft to expand capabilities and remain well ahead of changing threats,” said Mathews.
The US Navy plans to operate both the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G from its aircraft carriers until at least 2035. The current Block II variant, of which the RAAF has ordered 24, achieved IOC in 2007.
