Article Posted on : - Apr 25, 2011

An F/A-18E Super Hornet (left), an EA-18G Growler (right). A Boeing photo.

ST. LOUIS (BNS): Boeing has delivered 500th F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and derivative EA-18G Growlers to the US Navy.

The US Navy and Boeing hosted an event Thursday to celebrate the milestone of delivering 500 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and derivative EA-18G Growlers to the US Navy. Each of the 500 aircraft has been delivered to the Navy on cost and ahead of schedule, Boeing said.

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum and EA-18G Growler - the only air combat platform that delivers full-spectrum airborne electronic attack (AEA) capability along with the targeting and self-defense capabilities derived from the Block II Super Hornet, a company statement said.

A derivative of the two-seat F/A-18F Block II, the EA-18G's highly flexible design enables warfighters to operate either from the deck of an aircraft carrier or from land-based airfields. It is replacing the Navy's current AEA platform, the EA-6B Prowler, which has been in service since 1971.

"The Super Hornet and Growler, both combat-deployed, have continuously increased capability for the warfighter while reducing cost for the Navy and the taxpayer," F/A-18 and EA-18 Programs Vice President Kory Mathews said at the ceremony.

"Boeing has delivered every F/A-18E/F and EA-18G to the US Navy on budget and ahead of schedule," he said.

The F/A-18E/F and EA-18G will operate from US Navy aircraft carriers through 2035.

Boeing is on contract to deliver 24 two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornets to the Royal Australian Air Force. The Super Hornet also is a competitor in ongoing fighter competitions in India, Malaysia, Brazil and Japan.