Boeing has announced plans to end production of its iconic F-18 fighter jets following the aircraft’s illustrious four decades in the skies. 

The aerospace giant said Thursday that it will be sunsetting its trademark military jet after its current contract with the US Navy finishes at the end of 2025. 

A classic military fighter jet, the F/A-18 Super Hornet served in both of the US Gulf Wars in 1991 and 2003, before more recently starring in Tom Cruise’s 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick. 

Production on the jet first began in November 1983, leading to more than 2,000 deliveries over 40 years. And while its iconic model is now being shuttered, the company insists it isn’t the end of the road. 

‘We are planning for our future, and building fighter aircraft is in our DNA,’ said Steve Norlund, senior site executive for Boeing St. Louis. 

Boeing has announced it is planning to end production of its iconic F/A-18 fighter jets

The military aircraft stole the show during Tom Cruise’s 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick

Originally rolled out in the 1970s, Boeing made the F-18 a central cog in its military machine after it merged with McDonnall Douglas in 1997. 

Following McDonall Douglass’ initial development, the jet gained a fearsome reputation. It was the first fighter jet to have carbon fiber wings, and was able to easily take off and land from the decks of the US Navy’s titanic aircraft carriers.  

It was introduced into active duty in 1983, before being sent to the front lines three years later on the USS Coral Sea. 

After the US entered the 1991 Persian Gulf War, the US military relied on the fighters to play a key role in the conflict, before again utilizing them in Afghanistan a decade later. 

More recently, the jet captivated audiences around the world when it was flown in Tom Cruise’s hit sequel Top Gun: Maverick. 

The flick, which became one of the most successful films of all time when it flew past the $1 billion mark last summer, prominently featured the jets’ eye-opening firepower throughout its 2 hour runtime. 

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The F-18 fighter jets were heavily used during the two Gulf Wars in 1991 and 2003

As the first fighter jet to have carbon fiber wings, the F-18 became one of the slickest fighter jets when it was introduced to battlefields over three decades ago

However, their time on the force came under threat as rival Lockheed Martin rolled out its slick F-35 fighters in 2008, causing Boeing to see demand for the jet decline in recent years. 

For two consecutive years, the US Navy reportedly omitted the F-18 from its budget, but Congress insisted the fighter jet kept its place in the military arsenal. 

Lawmakers made another order of a dozen Super Hornets in 2022, leading Boeing to maintain its current order stream until 2025, when production will cease.  

It comes after militaries from other nations including Germany and Canada also began opting for the Lockheed Martin rival jet over the F-18 following the 2008 development, aerospace consultant Richard Aboulafia told Fortune. 

The decision to end production on the fighter jet comes as Boeing insists it is focusing on its next generation of aircraft, opening up its supply chains for more military programs. 

Boeing is reportedly planning on expanding its St Louis, Missouri hub in the coming years, where it plans to set up three new facilities for advanced new aircraft projects. 

Among the military aircraft set to be expanded includes the T-7A Red Hawk training craft and MQ-25 Stingray refueling drones.

Around 1,500 engineers and staffers currently working on the jet are set to be shifted, with the company saying they were planning on transitioning to a new ‘future’ with their decision. 

‘These are highly skilled workers,’ said Boeing spokeswoman Deborah VanNierop. ‘Their skills are easily transferred to our other programs.’

The death of the F-18 comes after another classic Boeing aircraft, the 747 jumbo jet, was officially retired at the start of the month. 

Boeing said that while its latest production line of the fighter jet will end as soon as its delivery to the US Navy comes to a close in late 2025, it could be extended if the Indian Navy decides to order more aircraft.