HORNET Naval Strike Fighter

The HORNET Naval Strike Fighter (F/A-18A/B/C/D) is a Major Defense Acquisition Program managed by the Department of Defense under Program Number 126. Operating within the Major Capability Acquisition pathway, this program oversees the acquisition and sustainment of the F/A-18 Hornet variants that serve as multirole combat aircraft for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The program encompasses both the original F/A-18A/B models and the improved F/A-18C/D variants.

The contract awards associated with this program are primarily administered by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and predominantly consist of delivery orders for aircraft modifications, forward fit and retrofit kits, and specialized equipment. Contract values range from small purchases of a few thousand dollars to larger awards exceeding $111 million, with performance periods typically spanning 1-5 years. The Boeing Company emerges as the primary contractor, receiving numerous firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery orders for F/A-18 Block III and Common Growler equipment, life-of-type buys, and various modification programs. Mercury Systems Inc. appears as another contractor, providing electronics and engineering services. None of the contracts utilize socioeconomic set-aside designations. While specific places of performance are limited in the data, some work is noted to occur in St. Louis, Missouri, and Jacksonville, Florida.