The maker of the Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet would like to convince the Navy that its should buy more of the E/F models of the Hornet to fill its shortage of carrier strike aircraft until the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter comes on board, reports Roxana Tiron of The Hill. Boeing plans to push the issue with Congress and the sea service, which projects a shortfall of some 226 strike aircraft over the next 10 to 15 years, for the next budget. Boeing’s F/A-18 vice president, Bob Gower, told the Congressional newspaper that a new Navy analysis could set the stage for a Super Hornet multiyear buy.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3