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With the USN and RAAF completing delivery of their orders and the losing out to Rafales and Gripens in India and Brazil, the Superbug's future, despite the juicy upgrades being offered, is reportedly in doubt:
Quote from: Flight Global
Super Hornet fights for survival
By Craig Hoyle on 19 February, 2014 in Defense With an 'S'
Rejections by India and more recently Brazil – combined with the looming end to a multi-year procurement deal for the US Navy – mean that the pressure is mounting on Boeing to secure extra orders for its versatile Super Hornet.
As things stand, the last F/A-18E/F or EA-18G Growler will roll off the line in St Louis, Missouri before the end of 2016, with the USN and Royal Australian Air Force the buyers so far. As you can read in my colleague Jon Hemmerdinger’s report on the situation, that’s not a major problem for the manufacturer for now, but Washington finding funds for more in its fiscal year 2015 budget planning is described as a “critical” requirement.
Boeing has a proven multi-role aircraft available for a reported $52 million that it’s really struggled to shift internationally. From a long list of legacy Hornet operators, only Australia has gone for the new model, although fellow users Canada, Kuwait and Malaysia are now considering their future fighter options. Other potential buyers include Denmark.
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