Boeing to Relocate F/A-18 Service Life Modification Work as Part of St. Louis Expansion Strategy
Boeing has announced a major step in its long-term growth and transition strategy by relocating its F/A-18 Super Hornet Service Life Modification (SLM) work out of the St. Louis region. The company confirmed that this shift will take place gradually, with the St. Louis–based SLM work winding down and officially sunsetting in 2027. The move is part of Boeing’s broader effort to expand operations in St. Louis and prepare the site for upcoming defense and aerospace programs.
Relocation Under Review
Boeing is currently evaluating several potential sites to take over the Super Hornet SLM program. Case studies are being conducted at facilities in San Antonio, Texas, and Jacksonville, Florida. Both of these sites already play a role in supporting SLM activities, giving Boeing a head start in its transition planning.
At present, SLM work is performed at multiple locations: in San Antonio; in partnership with the U.S. Navy at the Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) Southwest in San Diego, California; and in Jacksonville, Florida, where additional F/A-18 modifications are carried out.
Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager of Air Dominance and senior St. Louis site executive at Boeing, emphasized the strategic importance of this move. “Our expansion plans across the St. Louis site triggered the execution of a multi-year strategic plan, requiring the relocation of some work,” Gillian explained. “Given we are already successfully conducting SLM at other locations, this move is logical so we can continue to meet our customer commitments while ensuring we are well poised for future work.”
St. Louis Site Expansion
The relocation is not a retreat from St. Louis but rather an effort to free up space and resources at the facility for next-generation programs. Boeing’s St. Louis operations remain central to the company’s defense portfolio. The site is home to the production of several advanced platforms, including the F-15EX Eagle II, the T-7A Red Hawk trainer, and the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned refueling aircraft. St. Louis also supports the production of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits and other precision munitions.
Earlier this year, in March, the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing the contract to design, build, and deliver the F-47, a sixth-generation fighter jet. This program represents one of the most significant defense development efforts in decades, and Boeing has made clear that the St. Louis site will play a leading role. Current SLM employees in St. Louis are expected to transition to support these high-priority projects.
Importance of the Super Hornet SLM Program
The F/A-18 Super Hornet has been the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s carrier air wing for decades, serving as its primary strike fighter. The Service Life Modification program is a cornerstone of the Navy’s readiness strategy, ensuring the fleet remains modern, reliable, and capable well into the future.
Through SLM, Boeing and the Navy extend each Super Hornet’s lifespan by 4,000 additional flight hours while also incorporating Block III upgrades. These upgrades enhance the aircraft with advanced avionics, improved networking capabilities, and other features designed to ensure continued superiority in contested environments.
Since the program’s inception, Boeing and the Navy have steadily increased the number of aircraft entering SLM while reducing the turnaround time for each fighter. The pace of work is projected to continue at a strong level through the mid-2030s. Importantly, all Block II Super Hornets are eligible for upgrades to the Block III standard through this program, ensuring fleet-wide modernization.
Mark Sears, Boeing Fighters vice president, highlighted the company’s longstanding collaboration with the Navy on the SLM initiative. “We have worked with the Navy for years to improve SLM while growing in San Antonio and FRC Southwest,” Sears noted. “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.”
