F/A-18 and EA-18G surpass 12 million flight hours

The U.S. Navy’s fleet of F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft have logged more than 12 million cumulative flight hours, according to a U.S. Naval Air Systems Command update published on 1 August.

The figure includes hours flown by the original F/A-18 Hornet, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and the EA-18G Growler, which together have formed the backbone of U.S. naval aviation for decades.

Since the Hornet’s introduction in the 1980s, the aircraft family has supported almost every major U.S. military conflict and continues to evolve through modernisation programmes.

“When you call the roar of these aircraft ‘the sound of freedom,’ it holds real weight,” said Captain Michael Burks, program manager for the F/A-18 and EA-18G program office. “Throughout their service, the F/A-18 and EA-18G family has supported nearly every major U.S. military conflict of the past 40 years and continues to adapt to rapidly changing threat environments.”

The milestone equates to approximately 500,000 consecutive days of flight, or nearly 1,370 years.

The F/A-18 Hornet was introduced as a multi-role fighter and attack aircraft. Its successor, the Super Hornet, brought increased payload capacity, improved radar and avionics, and enhanced survivability. The EA-18G Growler, based on the same airframe, adds electronic warfare capabilities and remains central to the US Navy’s ability to suppress enemy air defences.

The aircraft are undergoing multiple upgrades. The Super Hornet Service Life Modification programme is extending the aircraft’s service life from 6,000 to 10,000 flight hours. Block III Super Hornets are entering service with advanced sensors, an improved cockpit, and features designed to reduce radar signature. The EA-18G Growler is being upgraded under the Block II programme, which enhances mission systems and provides capacity for future capability growth.

“This milestone is a significant achievement and a reflection of the generations of Sailors, Marines and civilians who sustain, fly and innovate these platforms every day,” said Burks. “Twelve million flight hours demonstrates our commitment to delivering world-class capability, enabling our warfighters to execute their missions with an asymmetric advantage and return home safely.”

The announcement comes ahead of two notable anniversaries in U.S. naval aviation: the 30th anniversary of the Super Hornet’s first flight in November, and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.