F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet Fighter Jet:  Everything You Need to Know

By Maya Carlin

In late February, Boeing Aerospace confirmed that production of the new-build F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet would end by late 2025. 

The manufacturer’s Vice President noted that as the U.S. “invests in and develops the next era of capability, we are applying the same innovation and expertise that made theF/A-18 a workhorse for the U.S. Navy and air forces worldwide for nearly 40 years,” in his remarks.

Although the development of a sixth-generation fighter and the maintenance of the F-35 Lightning II fighter program is likely the service’s top priorities, the Super Hornet should remain in the skies for decades to come.

Hornet Family of Airframes

The twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole F/A-18 Super Hornet is a derivative of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet series of fighters. In the 1970s, the F/A/-18 variant was conceptualized based on Northrop Grumman’s YF-17 platform for both the Navy and Marine Corps.

Designed to replace the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk and the remaining McDonnell Douglass F-4 Phantom IIs, the Naval Fighter-Attack, Experimental (VFAX) program advocated for a relatively inexpensive fighter to complement the F-14 Tomcat. 

Video Above: Innovation & The Future of War