Aviation News – Boeing announced it will relocate its F/A-18 Super Hornet Service Life Modification (SLM) work out of St. Louis by 2027, shifting operations to other sites as part of a broader expansion and transition strategy. The move reflects the company’s efforts to align resources with future aircraft programs while continuing to support the U.S. Navy’s strike fighter fleet.
Boeing is evaluating multiple sites for the relocation, with San Antonio, Texas, and Jacksonville, Florida, under consideration. The company already conducts SLM work in San Antonio and at the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Southwest in San Diego, California. Additional F/A-18 modification activities take place in Jacksonville, giving Boeing several established options for transferring the workload.
The Service Life Modification program is critical to the Navy, as it upgrades Block II Super Hornets to Block III standard while extending their service life by 4,000 flight hours. Enhancements include advanced avionics, improved survivability, and greater networking capabilities, ensuring the aircraft remain operationally effective into the 2030s.
“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, Boeing vice president and general manager of Air Dominance. “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 transition will allow St. Louis to concentrate on high-profile programs, including production of the F-15EX, T-7A trainer, MQ-25 Stingray refueling drone, JDAM munitions, and the recently announced sixth-generation F-47 fighter. Current SLM team members are expected to shift to these projects as Boeing reorganizes its resources.
As Boeing continues to expand its defense portfolio, the relocation underscores both a shift toward next-generation platforms and the enduring importance of sustaining the Navy’s frontline fighters. While the St. Louis facility will sunset Super Hornet upgrades, the SLM program will remain vital to fleet readiness for at least another decade.
Photo Rob Vogelaar
