PRODUCTION OF THE F/A-18E/F SUPER HORNET TO CONTINUE FOR THE U.S. NAVY, BOOSTING F414 ENGINE DEMAND
NEWTOWN, Conn. -- Production of the F404 and F414 turbofans will increase over the long term, primarily due to demand from the U.S. Air Force for the T-7A jet trainer.
The U.S. Navy continues to procure the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which is powered by twin F414 engines. The service and Boeing have successfully lobbied Congress to extend production of the Super Hornet to keep the F/A-18 line open in case the Navy's newest fighter, the F-35C, is delayed even further. The service's current plan calls for procurement to end in FY21, but we think the Navy will continue to order more aircraft each year.
Meanwhile, Kuwait ordered 28 Super Hornets in March 2018 - 22 single-seat E models and six dual-seat F models. Boeing will deliver most of the aircraft in 2020.
Saab's next-generation Gripen fighter also uses the F414. Only the Swedish Air Force and Brazil's Air Force have ordered this model, and production is likely to be low throughout the forecast period.
The Korean-made T-50 jet trainer and its FA-50 light fighter variant, and India's Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), use the F404. The Indian Tejas program has suffered from long delays and is now ramping up production of an initial overweight and underpowered "Mk 1" version of the light fighter. The Indian government is currently planning to acquire over 100 LCAs in the coming years. HAL is developing an upgraded "Mk 2" version featuring the more powerful F414 engine, but it is increasingly likely that this variant will never enter service. We no longer forecast production of the F414 for this application.
One major new application for the F404 is the Boeing/Saab T-7A jet trainer that will replace the U.S. Air Force's fleet of over 400 elderly T-38 jet trainers through the service's T-X program. The all-new aircraft will also be a strong competitor on the world jet trainer market. Production of the F404 engine for this program will be the major driver of the program in the out years.
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