On Monday, the United States Department of Defense awarded Boeing a contract to transition the Blue Angels  current F/A-18A “Hornet” to the F/A-18E “Super Hornet.”

The contract is valued at $12,053,076, and 82.8% of the work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri while the remaining 17.2% will be performed in El Segundo, California. It is scheduled the aircraft will be completed in September, 2017.

The Blue Angels currently fly 3 of the old A models, 10 newer C models, and 3 two seater models. These aircraft range from 20-30 years old.

The new E models on order feature upgrades to the original aircraft, including a 25% more wing surface area, longer range, capability of carrying more weapons, as well as the latest updated avionics suite. However, the new E models also weight 7000 lbs. more and is said to be much less maneuverable and slower than the original “Hornet.”