DefenceTalkSince 2005, F/A-18 Super Hornet Block II aircraft have been rolling off Boeing’s production line and serving as the U.S. Navy’s multi-mission capable workhorse. The service took delivery of the final Block II Super Hornet, closing out a run of 322 one-seater F/A-18Es and 286 two-seated F/A-18Fs, on April 17. “Aircraft E322 will leave Boeing’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-takes-delivery-of-final-f-a-18e-super-hornet-block-ii-75276/

DefenceTalkGermany plans to buy 93 Eurofighters and 45 US-made F-18s to replace ageing combat jets, Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said Tuesday, emphasizing that the US planes satisfied NATO requirements. Amid growing criticism over her decision to include US-made aircraft in the mix, the minister told Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper the F-18s were needed as “bridging technology”. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-plans-to-buy-93-eurofighters-45-f-18s-minister-75232/

The first Service Life Modification (SLM) F/A-18E/F Super Hornet rolled off the production line in St. Louis, marking a major milestone for the U.S. Navy. After undergoing Department of Defense operational readiness review inspections, the jet was released to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 on Jan. 21, fully mission capable, and successfully completed a functional […]

For the first time, Boeing and the U.S. Navy flew an F/A-18 Super Hornet equipped with an Infrared Search & Track (IRST) Block II pod in late 2019. IRST Block II is a critical component of the Block III Super Hornet. The Block III conversion will include enhanced network capability, longer range with conformal fuel […]

Finland’s Air force began testing candidate aircraft vying to replace the Air Force’s aging fleet of fighter jets on Thursday, as the government weighs a purchasing decision due next year. Each of the five short-listed manufacturers will bring their aircraft to Finland for a week of flight tests at the Satakunta Air Command in Pirkkala, […]

DefenceTalkCanada said Thursday it was allowing Boeing to submit a bid to replace the country’s aging F-18 fleet, after an earlier trade dispute between the American manufacturer and Ottawa. The announcement came a month after the US International Trade Commission rejected a complaint filed by Boeing against its Canadian rival Bombardier, demanding nearly 300 percent […]https://www.defencetalk.com/canada-to-accept-bid-from-boeing-for-new-fighter-jets-71501/

DefenceTalkFinland’s Ministry of Defence plans to send out invitations to tender for the purchase of 64 new fighter jets. The new jets will replace the current stock of 64 F/A-18 Hornet jets, which have served the Finnish military since 1992. The defence report, which was approved by the Parliament in February, says that the readiness […]https://www.defencetalk.com/mod-at-least-64-fighter-jets-needed-to-defend-finland-70859/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. State Department has approved the sale of 18 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and associated equipment to Canada as part of a potential deal worth $5.23 billion, according to a September 12 announcement from the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The announcement outlines the potential sale of ten F/A-18Es, eight F/A-18Fs, eight F414-GE-400 engine […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-approves-canadian-super-hornet-deal-that-may-never-happen-70474/

DefenceTalkThe US State Department on Tuesday authorized the $5.2 billion sale of 18 Super Hornet jet fighters and associated equipment to the Canadian military, in a deal that may depend on the resolution of a separate trade dispute. The Canadian government placed the order a year ago to partially replace its ageing fleet of fleet […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-authorizes-5bn-sale-of-super-hornet-jet-fighters-to-canada-70458/

DefenceTalkThe Navy today announced it is conducting a comprehensive review of the facts, circumstances and processes surrounding the recent physiological episodes involving T-45 and F/A-18 aircrew, to include how these issues have been addressed. On April 21, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran directed Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Adm. Scott Swift to lead […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-reviews-physiological-episodes-69824/