First Aussie Super Hornet

[Mick.B]

From Defence Media



FIRST RAAF SUPER HORNET ROLLS OUT

Senator John Faulkner, Minister for Defence, and the Hon. Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science today announced that Australia’s first Block II F/A-18F Super Hornet has rolled off the Boeing assembly line in St Louis, USA.

Senator Faulkner said that Australia’s Super Hornets will significantly enhance the Royal Australian Air Force’s air combat capabilities.

“The Super Hornet is a true multi-role fighter that spans the air combat spectrum, including maritime strike which is so vital for Australia,” Senator Faulkner said.

“The Super Hornet’s low radar signature and high technology targeting radar make this aircraft one of the world’s most advanced fighters that will maintain our air combat capability edge.”

“The Government’s decision last year to pre-wire 12 of the planned 24 aircraft for potential conversion to an electronic attack variant will add extra sting and capability to our Super Hornets,” Senator Faulkner said.

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science said that Australia’s Super Hornet project is on schedule and on budget.

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved for their hard work in bringing the project to this point,” Mr Combet said.

“The performance of the project is due to the great team effort between the Defence Materiel Organisation, the Royal Australian Air Force, United States Navy, The Boeing Company and its industry partners General Electric, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon”.

“The F/A-18F Super Hornets are being based at RAAF Amberley and will aid the transition to a mature Joint Strike Fighter capability while allowing the Air Force to retire the F-111 fleet.”

“The first formation of Super Hornets is expected to arrive at RAAF Amberley in March-April 2010.”

“The total program investment is approximately $6 billion over 10 years, which includes acquisition and all support costs including facilities, training and personnel,” Mr Combet said.




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[Nigel C]

Ok, one for those in the know...

What's the differences between the Hornets we currently have and the Super Hornets we're getting?

[Adam P.]

The Super Hornet wears its undies on the outside?? :confused:

[Mick F]

Basically the Super Hornet is a normal Hornet on steroids and equipped with the latest in warfare toys.

Mick

[Craig Murray]

There is a resident Hornet expert among us but I believe he's overseas at the moment.

In summary it's bigger, beefier, powerfullerer and it goes like a frog in a sock!

I eagerly await the first Super Hornet arrival downunder albeit at the expense of the much loved F-111.

[Nigel C]

Can you be a little more specific on what 'steroids' the new beast is on? And what weapons are upgrades from the current Hornets?

[Mick F]

What Murray said.

Another words, it's got bigger more powerful engines, and the overall size is about 1.5 times the size of the older hornets.

It's just the jizz of hornets, :D.

Mick

[Grant Smith]

There is a resident Hornet expert among us but I believe he's overseas at the moment.

And by that, you mean junket, right Mr Murray?

;)

[Craig Murray]

Family holiday I believe Grant, with a brief stop somewhere in Missouri from memory.

And Mick F hit the Mk82 on the trigger, the Super Hornet is just the shiz!

And for the trivia buffs, the Super Hornet has 100ft more wing area than the Classic. And for those who prefer their jets on the heavier side, the new whizz shiz nizz Super Hornet has a MTOW some 6,500kg heavier than the A/B/C models.

If you're a GE fan (that's a bit punny 'ay!) you'll be stoked to know that the E/F model is powered by the F414 that belts out 3000lb more "go noise" than the Classic.

[Bob C]

Hi Nigel C

"Google" is your friend !

The F/A18F has many differences compared to our "legacy" F/A18s.

It is a two seater strike aircraft to replace the F111s and will be a transition type whilst we await the F35.

Nicknamed "Rhino" in USN service to distinguish it from "legacy" (F/A18A,B,C,Ds) due to different settings required for catapault launches and arrested landings.

20% larger overall
25% more wing area
Fuselage lengthened by 0.86 metres
Rectangular air intakes
3,000 kg heavier empty weight
6,800 kg heavier max weight
33% more internal fuel
41% increase in mission range
Can be equipped to act as an aerial refueller for other aircraft
11 weapons pylons - increase of 2

The final 12 RAAF aircraft will be rewired for an Electronic Warfare Role similar to that offered by the USN's EA-18G "Growler".

Note - the EA-18G will be knicknamed "Grizzly" in USN service as the name "Growler" would cause too much confusion with the EA6B "Prowler" Electronic warfare aircraft.

The F/A18F appears to be very capable and will hopefully be a safe, effective and long serving aircraft in RAAF service.

[Nicholas Togias]

Does the RAN have any plans to buy an aircraft carrier, because if I'm not mistaken there are navy personnel in that picture!

it'd be awesome if Australia had aircraft carriers again

[Bob C]

Nicholas, they are U S Navy personnel as the F/A18F and earlier model F/A18s were first built more than 20 years ago to USN specifications to replace other types in service.

So the USN maintains an F/A18 Project Office to co-ordinate purchases and liaise with foreign countries such as Australia, Spain, Switzerland etc.

And no, the RAN does not have plans to buy an aircraft carrier but will be purchasing a Spanish designed helicopter carrier which will enter service in a few years and will operate the new MRH90 helicopter amongst others. It may also have the capability to operate Harrier type aircraft and no, the RAN doesn't have any plans for Harriers.

[Nigel C]

Cheers for the info Bob.

[Mick F]

What, wasn't mine and Murray's info good enough for you Nigel?

[Nigel C]

Nope. Just not enough detail.;)

But thanks for pointing out its got the jizz and the shiz of the maniz, with the nizz and whizz that makes it fizz. All this biz makes me dizz.

Ok, thanks to all who responded, including Muzz and Fludz.:cool:

[Nicholas Togias]

cheers Bob

[Dan Hammond]

But thanks for pointing out its got the jizz and the shiz of the maniz, with the nizz and whizz that makes it fizz. All this biz makes me dizz.


I think i have just gone cross eyed :p :D

[Damian N]

That "201" forward of the canopy is "oh-so Top Gun"! Does anybody know or even has a bit of an insight into whether this is likely to be a permanent addition to Hornets (eg eventually filtering down to A and B models) or whether it's prob just there for initial flight test programs and training in the US where Aussie -F's are likely to sit on flightlines beside USN versions to help in base/ ATC ID etc.

[Andrew McLaughlin]

The first six Aussie Fs will remain in the US until they are delivered to Australia next March. In that time, they'll be flying alongside US Navy jets and will carry their USN MSN numbers on the rear fuselage, and the abbreviated last three digits in big numbers on the front.

Was a really good rollout ceremony - well attended and very well done. The jet looks awesome up close! :D

Cheers