Super Hornet Production Ends

Northrop Grumman delivered its final structural components for new Super Hornets in late 2025, after which Boeing will complete final assembly of the last newly built aircraft.

Although production was originally scheduled to end in 2025, final deliveries have been extended into 2026-2027 following a last US Navy order for additional Block III aircraft. Deliveries are expected to conclude by spring 2027.

The Super Hornet traces its origins to a US Navy requirement in the early 1990s for a more capable carrier-based fighter. Derived from the earlier F/A-18 Hornet, it was significantly redesigned with a larger fuselage, increased range, and greater payload capacity. The aircraft first flew in November 1995, with low-rate initial production beginning in early 1997 and transitioning to full-rate production by September of the same year.

The Super Hornet programme was led by Boeing Defense, Space & Security, which manufactured the forward fuselage and wings and conducted final assembly and integration in the United States. Northrop Grumman served as Boeing’s principal subcontractor, producing the centre and aft fuselage sections as well as the vertical tails. Other major suppliers included General Electric (F414 engines) and Raytheon (radar and mission systems).

Final assembly took place at Boeing’s facility in St. Louis (MO), the former McDonnell Douglas site.

Even after new production ends, Boeing and the US Navy will continue work on Block III upgrades, sustainment, and modernisation programmes for the existing Super Hornet fleet, extending its service life into the 2030s and beyond.

The EA-18G Growler, the electronic-attack variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, entered production in 2007, with first deliveries occurring the same year. After an initial low-rate phase, the aircraft reached full-rate production in late 2009. Deliveries continued throughout the 2010s, including milestones such as the 100th Growler delivered to the US Navy in 2014. Orders during this period kept the production line active until roughly the end of 2016, based on then-current Navy contracts.

Production of new EA-18G Growlers has since ceased. According to recent reporting, Boeing ended Growler manufacturing in the late 2010s after completing all new-build orders for both the US Navy and export customers, including Australia. Although no new aircraft are being produced, Boeing and the US Navy continue capability upgrades and modification programmes to ensure the Growler remains effective well into the 2030s and beyond.

Over its lifetime, Boeing built hundreds of Super Hornets and Growlers for the US Navy and export customers such as Australia and Kuwait. According to the Scramble Magazine database, total production stands at approximately 900 aircraft across all variants and blocks.

Credit photos: Jurgen van Toor, Marcel van Bielder, Coert van Breda, Sebastiaan Does, Hans van Herk, Nate Leong, Carey Mavor (all Scramble Archive)