Production of aircraft is underway at the Boeing, St Louis, USA plant with aircraft at various stages of production. The first RAAF aircraft rolled off the assembly line in July 2009. 12 of the 24 aircraft will be pre-wired for potential conversion to an electronic attack variant. The Super Hornets will be based at RAAF Amberley and will aid the transition to a mature Joint Strike Fighter capability while allowing the RAAF to retire the F-111 fleet.
The first four aircraft are scheduled for delivery and commencement of operations at RAAF Amberley in the second quarter 2010. RAAF aircrew and ground crews have commenced training by US Navy personnel in the US in preparation for the first aircraft arrival in Australia. An IOC is planned for December 2010 and FOC will be achieved by December 2012. The project remains within its current approved budget with the first two aircraft forecast to be delivered ahead of schedule and commence test activity in the US during the third quarter of 2009. The capability requirements for the project are expected to be fully satisfied.