As part of Boeing's [NYSE: BA] expansion and transition plans to support future programs, the company is relocating its F/A-18 Super Hornet Service Life Modification (SLM) work out of the St. Louis region and will sunset the St. Louis based work in 2027.
Boeing is considering multiple sites to transfer the work to with case studies starting at the San Antonio and Jacksonville sites. Boeing currently performs SLM work in San Antonio and in partnership with the U.S. Navy at Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) Southwest in San Diego, Calif. Additional F/A-18 modification work also occurs in Jacksonville, Fla.
"Our expansion plans across the St. Louis site triggered the execution of a multi-year strategic plan, requiring the relocation of some work," said Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager of Air Dominance and senior St. Louis site executive. "Given we are already successfully conducting SLM at other locations, this move is logical so we can continue to meet our customers commitments while ensuring we are well poised for future work."
The St. Louis region is home to F-15EX, T-7A and MQ-25 production as well as JDAM and other munitions production lines. In March, the U.S. Air Force announced Boeing will design, build and deliver the F-47 6th generation fighter. Current St. Louis SLM team members will support these programs.
Super Hornet is the backbone of the Navy's strike fighter inventory, and SLM is critical to supporting the U.S. Navy's readiness needs. SLM adds Block III capabilities and 4,000 flight hours to existing Navy Super Hornets. Since the program began, Boeing and the Navy have increased inductions each year while improving the turnaround time of the fighters. This work is projected to continue through the mid-2030s. All Block II Super Hornets can be upgraded to the Block III capability suite through SLM.
"We have worked with the Navy for years to improve SLM while growing in San Antonio and FRC Southwest. Delivering multiple fighters and capabilities from multiple locations is what we do, and we will continue that work on the Super Hornets for the life of the fleet," said Mark Sears, Boeing Fighters vice president.
