F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
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The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a fighter and attack aircraft in service with the United States Navy. The Super Hornet is essentially an all-new aircraft, with similar appearance to and some systems carried over from the F/A-18C/D Hornet. The fighter is colloquially referred to as the "Super Bug" and sometimes the "Rhino" (for its prodigious nose). The Super Hornet was ordered from McDonnell Douglas in 1992, first flew in November 1995, made its first carrier landing in 1997 and entered service in 2002. Current versions include the F/A-18E single-seater and F/A-18F two-seater. These are replacing the older F/A-18 models in the Navy's inventory, as well as the F-14 Tomcats.
The Super Hornet maintained the "F/A-18" designation for political reasons only (to procure the development of an essentially new combat aircraft at a time when Congress was unwilling to sponsor new military systems); if the plane had been designated in proper sequence, its designation would have been "F-24A." (the "F-24" designation seems politically undesirable for some reason, it was also recommended for the operational version of the X-35, which was adopted as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter).
The early 1990s brought a number of problems for US naval aviation. The A-12 Avenger II program, intended to replace the obsolete A-6 Intruders and A-7 Corsair IIs, had run into serious problems and was cancelled. The Gulf War revealed that the Navy's strike capability lagged that of the Air Force in certain respects. With no clean-sheet program likely to produce results before about 2020, updating an existing design became an attractive approach. One such proposal was the "Super Hornet" (or, originally, "Hornet II"), originally put forward in the 1980s to improve early F/A-18 models.
Compared with its predecessor, the Super Hornet has a 25 % larger wing that allows the aircraft to return to an aircraft carrier with a larger load of unspent munitions. This had become important with the greater use of more expensive, precision-guided weapons and a growing consciousness about avoiding collateral damage. The fuselage was stretched to carry more fuel and room for future avionics upgrades. An engine with 35 % more power, the General Electric F414, was developed to power this larger, heavier aircraft. The aircraft can carry five 440-US-gallon (1700-liter) external fuel tanks for long-distance ferry flights or four tanks plus an Aerial Refueling Store (ARS), or "buddy store," which permits the Super Hornet to refuel other aircraft. Other differences include angular intakes for the engines, a smaller radar cross section (RCS), two extra wing hardpoints for payload, and other aerodynamic changes. By the end of all this, the Super Hornet shared little with earlier F/A-18's aft of the forward fuselage.
Upgraded avionics being introduced in the Super Hornet include the APG-79 AESA radar, the ASQ-228 ATFLIR (Advanced Targeting FLIR), and the ALE-50 Towed Decoy System.
An electronic attack version of the F/A-18F, the EA-18G Growler, will replace the Navy's and Marine Corps' EA-6B Prowler and the already-retired Air Force EF-111 Ravens. An -18F fitted with some electronic-warfare systems flew in late 2003. Two test EA-18Gs aircraft are in assembly as of late 2005, and are expected to fly in late 2006. The Navy intends to place orders for the first four production Growlers in November 2005.
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Specifications (F/A-18E)
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Future Upgrades
Plans for the F/A-18E/F include a redesign of the GE F414-400 engines reducing the number of parts and engine maintenance by more than 30% and increasing the engine output thrust by more than 25%. The F/A-18E/F will also get helmet-mounted sights for close-in dogfights. Boeing also plans to reduce its radar cross section.
Popular culture
- In 2000, Jane's released a simulation based on the F/A-18E Super Hornet simply titled "F/A-18 Simulator".
- The F/A-18F is the aircraft shot down in the film Behind Enemy Lines.
External links
Related content
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