Anna Forrester
Boeing is working with the U.S. Navy on a potential contract modification to extend production of the EA-18G Growler aircraft through the end of 2017 to accommodate the additional 15 planes funded by Congress, Reuters reported Friday.
Andrea Shalal writes that Congress included $1.56 billion in the fiscal 2015 spending bill to cover the procurement of 15 more Growlers and enable Boeing to limit production to two planes per month.
Stretching the delivery time frame would help maintain tooling and retain the hired workforce in St. Louis, the report said.
Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations, has told Reuters that the Navy is also considering additional Growler orders as well as plans to replace or upgrade the F/A-18E/F Block 1 Super Hornet fleet for fiscal 2016.
According to the report, Navy spokesman Rob Myers has noted that the extra planes are for the Navy’s airborne electronic attack portfolio.
