Navy Seeks New Facilities to Boost Super Hornet and Growler Upgrades

The U.S. Navy is exploring new options to enhance its capabilities for upgrading F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers, a move aimed at bolstering the fleet's longevity and combat readiness. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) recently issued a contracting notice indicating their intent to conduct market research to identify additional commercial or second-source depot modification repair overhaul (MRO) capacity for these aircraft starting in Fiscal Year 2029.

Currently, Boeing is the primary contractor responsible for performing Service Life Modification (SLM) work on Navy F/A-18E/Fs at facilities located in St. Louis, Missouri, and San Antonio, Texas. Additionally, Boeing operates an SLM line in cooperation with the Navy at Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) in San Diego, California. The company also conducts additional modifications at a facility in Jacksonville, Florida.

In September 2025, Boeing announced plans to shut down its SLM line in St. Louis by 2027 and transition some of the workload to other locations such as San Antonio or Jacksonville. This decision comes alongside Boeing's intention to cease production of new Super Hornets in 2027, with the EA-18G already out of production.

The Navy aims to ensure that most, if not all, of its approximately 550 F/A-18E/F aircraft undergo SLM processes. These modifications extend the service life of the jets from 6,000 to 10,000 flight hours and include significant upgrades like Block III enhancements, which introduce advanced avionics and improved networking capabilities.

Work is also underway on a Block II upgrade package for the Navy’s roughly 160 EA-18Gs. This upgrade includes major improvements to the Growler's electronic warfare suite, enhancing its effectiveness in modern combat scenarios.

According to recent NAVAIR contracting notices, PMA-265 (the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Program Office) anticipates a maximum SLM induction profile of up to 47 aircraft per year across the industrial base. This figure represents a significant increase in expected SLM throughput compared to previous projections.

The Navy's initiative to seek new facilities for these upgrades is part of broader efforts to maintain fleet readiness and adapt to evolving defense requirements. As Boeing continues to expand its production infrastructure for future projects like the sixth-generation F-47 for the U.S. Air Force and the Navy’s next-generation carrier-based F/A-XX fighter, finding additional capacity becomes crucial.

This strategic move by the Navy underscores the ongoing importance of maintaining a robust industrial base capable of supporting advanced aircraft modifications and ensuring the longevity of existing assets while preparing for future technological advancements in military aviation.