Hope To Procure 'Dozens' Of Newer Models To Make Up Fighter Shortage

The U.S. Navy is making plans to divest itself of some of its older "legacy" F/A-18 Hornets, with an eye towards the acquisition of "dozens" of newer model F/A-18E/F models, according to a military official.

Reuters reports that the plan has not yet been finalized, but could be implemented as early as the next fiscal year. The official, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said "To decrease the strike fighter shortfall and to best prepare future air wings for likely threats we will soon divest from legacy Hornets, look to buy several squadrons worth of Super Hornets and continue with efforts to bring on the F-35 carrier variant."

Other sources with knowledge of the plan said that the situation can be traced to delays in fielding the F-35C carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, extended maintenance times for older model Hornets, and higher-than-expected usage rates. The source said those factors have led to a shortage of about 70 fighter jets in the next few years.

Boeing spokesman todd Blecher said Boeing would "welcome an opportunity to develop a plan, with the Navy, that would allow us to continue providing the robust capabilities of the Super Hornet well into the future."

The unnamed official also told Reuters that the Navy plans to field a new unmanned, carrier-based refueling system in the future.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.navy.mil