# US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet developments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-navy-fa-18f-super-hornet-developments
> Updated: 2026-10-25T17:35:05.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Recent developments regarding the US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet include both combat indications and technological testing.

In early October, an aircraft from Strike Fighter Squadron 41 returned to Lemoore Naval Air Station displaying a ‘Sub Buster’ marking featuring a broken submarine silhouette. While the US Navy has not officially confirmed a submarine kill by the fighter jet, the marking follows reports from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that US forces destroyed 11 Iranian submarines, including the Taregh.

Later in the month, an F/A-18F from the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 was observed conducting flight tests over California. This test involved the first observed combination of the AIM-174B ultra-long-range missile and the AIM-260A, alongside an IRST21 infrared search and track pod, aimed at enhancing multi-layered defense and offensive capabilities.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-25: US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet tests advanced missile combination

A US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet was spotted testing the AIM-174B and AIM-260A missiles together in California, showcasing new long-range combat capabilities.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-navy-fa-18f-super-hornet-tests-advanced-missile-combination

### 2026-10-04: US Navy Super Hornet displays 'Sub Buster' marking

A US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet returned from deployment with a 'Sub Buster' marking, hinting at a potential Iranian submarine kill during Operation Epic Fury.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-navy-fa-18f-marks-destruction-of-iranian-submarine

---
Cite as: US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-navy-fa-18f-super-hornet-developments