Australia Awards F-18F Training Contract

[Metallic]

Australia Awards F-18F Training Contract
AUSTRALIA - 19 FEBRUARY 2010

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, announced today that Raytheon Australia has been awarded the Training Support Services Contract to support Super Hornet training systems at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley.

“The signing of the Super Hornet Training Support Services Contract is worth approximately $21.5 million over three years, and secures about 25 jobs at RAAF Base Amberley for that period,” Mr Combet said.

“The contract is vital for effective support of the Air Force’s fleet of Super Hornets when they begin arriving at RAAF Base Amberley this year.

“Raytheon Australia will provide maintenance, logistics, and training services to support the Super Hornet flight simulators, visual environment maintenance trainers and electronic classrooms.

“Australia is acquiring 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets to aid the transition to a mature Joint Strike Fighter capability, and allow Air Force to retire the F-111 fleet in December 2010.

“The Super Hornet project is on budget and running ahead of schedule. The first Australian Super Hornets will arrive in late March 2010. The remaining aircraft will be progressively introduced throughout the remainder of 2010 and 2011,” Mr Combet said.

Shayne Neumann, the Federal Member for Blair, said that the contract signing further strengthens the partnership between the RAAF, industry and the Ipswich area community.

“I am very pleased that this contract will support local jobs and help maintain our air combat capability,” Mr Neumann said.


Source: Australian Department of Defence

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet:

Both the Super Hornet single seat E and two-seat F models convert quickly from one mission type to the next with the flip of a switch to provide consistent air dominance:

*Day/night strikes with precision-guided weapons
*Anti-air warfare
*Fighter escort
*Close air support
*Suppression of enemy air defense
*Maritime strike
*Reconnaissance
*Forward air control
*Tanker
*Payload Flexibility

The Super Hornet's versatility applies to its weapon stations and payload types:

*11 weapon stations
*Supports a full complement of smart weapons, including laser-guided bombs
*Carries a full spectrum mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance

The Super Hornet is powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400 engines:

*Distinctive caret-shaped inlet to provide increased airflow and reduced
radar signature
*22,000 pounds (98 Kn) of thrust per engine, 44,000 pounds (196 Kn) per
aircraft

Flight qualities:

*Highly departure resistant through its operational flight envelope.
*Unlimited angle-of-attack and carefree flying qualities for highly effective
combat capability and ease of training.
*Reconfigurable digital flight-control system detects and corrects for battle
damage.
*Upgradeability
*Long-term designed in versatility ensures the Super Hornet's investment
value.

Current upgrades delivered in the Block Two configuration include:

*Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar
*Advanced targeting forward-looking infrared (ATFLIR) system
*Joint-helmet mounted cueing system (JHMCS)
*Multifunctional information distribution system (MIDS)
*Advanced aft crew station
*Fibre channel switch for increased data processing capability
*Fully integrated weapons systems and sensors for reduced crew workload
and increased capability.

 

[Metallic]

Super Hornets Preparing for Flight to Australia
AUSTRALIA - 4 MARCH 2010

The first group of Royal Australian Air Force's next-generation Super Hornets will arrive in Australia later this month, Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin announced today.

The Super Hornets arrival will represent a major leap in Air Force capability. They are Australia's first new air combat aircraft in 25 years.

A detachment of aircrew and maintenance personnel from RAAF's No. 1 Squadron is currently at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California, preparing the aircraft for the series of flights to Australia.

"This is the beginning of a new chapter for Air Force. The Super Hornet is a true multi-role aircraft that, when flown and supported by RAAF's high-calibre people, will ensure Australia's regional air combat capability edge through to the introduction of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter," Air Marshal Binskin said.

"Reaching this stage of the project on time and on budget has been due to a great partnership between the Royal Australian Air Force, Defence Materiel Organisation, United States Navy, The Boeing Company and their industry partners, General Electric, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon.

"The next few weeks will be a very busy time for the Super Hornet aircrew and maintainers at Lemoore. The detachment is conducting acceptance flights and ground tests on each of the aircraft.

"Another key task for the detachment will be working with an air-to-air tanker, conducting day and night refuelling flights to ensure they are ready for the journey to Australia," Air Marshal Binskin said.

Air Force is acquiring 24 Super Hornets which will progressively arrive at their home base, RAAF Amberley near Ipswich, during 2010 and 2011.

The Super Hornets are an interim replacement for the ageing F-111s. The F-111s have served Australia well, but are now approaching the end of their operational life, and will be retired at the end of this year.

Details of the Super Hornet welcome activities are being finalised and will be announced closer to the arrival time.

A detachment of personnel from No.1 Squadron RAAF Base Amberley, comprising of aircrew and maintainers, have deployed to Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, USA, in February of 2010. The deployment is in preparation for the final stage of the acquisition process for the Super Hornets and for the ferry flight back to Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley.

Australian Super Hornet, aircraft number A44-206 taxis on the flight line at Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, USA.



Australian Super Hornet, aircraft number A44-206 taxis on the flight line at Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, USA.



Australian Super Hornet, aircraft number A44-206 taxis on the flight line at Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, USA.



Australian Super Hornet, aircraft number A44-202, on the flight line at Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, USA.



Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

[Metallic]

Super Hornets preparing for flight to Australia
5 MARCH 2010

A detachment of personnel from No.1 Squadron RAAF Base Amberley, comprising of aircrew and maintainers, have deployed to Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, USA, in February of 2010. The deployment is in preparation for the final stage of the acquisition process for the Super Hornets and for the ferry flight back to Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley.


Proud members of No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley, on completion of the first acceptance flight in Super Hornet A44-202.



Super Hornet, A44-204, prepares for acceptance flight at Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, USA.
The acceptance flight is a test flight to formally accept the aircraft into service.



Squadron Leader John Haly, Super Hornet Pilot, and Squadron Leader Grant Fifield, Weapons System Officer, both from No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley, perform a pre flight check on Super Hornet, A44-202, prior to acceptance flight, at Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, USA.
The acceptance flight is a test flight to formally accept the aircraft into service.



Super Hornet A44-204 taxis the runway for acceptance flight, at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, USA.
The acceptance flight is a test flight to formally accept the aircraft into service.



Super Hornet, A44-204, takes off after a touch and go during the acceptance flight over Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, USA.



Super Hornet A44-204 performs it's acceptance flight over Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, USA.




Super Hornet A44-204 performs it's acceptance flight over Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, USA.



Super Hornet, A44-204, takes off after a touch and go during the acceptance flight over Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California, USA.



Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

[Metallic]

Commander of Air Combat Group visits Super Hornet team
11 MARCH 2010

The first group of Royal Australian Air Force's next-generation Super Hornets will arrive in Australia later this month, Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin announced today.

The Super Hornets arrival will represent a major leap in Air Force capability. They are Australia's first new air combat aircraft in 25 years.

A detachment of aircrew and maintenance personnel from RAAF's No. 1 Squadron is currently at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California,preparing the aircraft for the series of flights to Australia.


Group photo of personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force involved in the preparation of the Super Hornets flight to Australia.




Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

[Metallic]

Super Hornet acceptance flight
11 MARCH 2010

A detachment of personnel from No.1 Squadron RAAF Base Amberley, comprising of aircrew and maintainers, have deployed to Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, USA, in February of 2010. The deployment is in preparation for the final stage of the acquisition process for the Super Hornets and for the ferry flight back to Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley.


Flight Lieutenant, Daniel Murphy, Weapon Systems Officer, No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley, gets ready for take off for an acceptance flight in the Super Hornet, at Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California.
The acceptance flight is a test flight to formally accept the aircraft into service.



Flight Lieutenant, Daniel Murphy, Weapon Systems Officer (left) and Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Glen Braz, Super Hornet pilot, both of No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley, get ready for take off for an acceptance flight in Super Hornet, A44-204, at Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California.
The acceptance flight is a test flight to formally accept the aircraft into service.



Super Hornet A44-204 performs its acceptance flight over Naval Air station, Lemoore, California, USA. The acceptance flight is a test flight to formally accept the aircraft into service.



Super Hornet A44-204 performs its acceptance flight over Naval Air station, Lemoore, California, USA.
The acceptance flight is a test flight to formally accept the aircraft into service.



Super Hornet A44-204 and A44-202 performs their acceptance flights over Naval Air station, Lemoore, California, USA.
The acceptance flight is a test flight to formally accept the aircraft into service.



Australian Super Hornets on the flightline at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, USA.




Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

[Metallic]

Super Hornet Acceptance Flight
12 MARCH 2010

The first group of Royal Australian Air Force's next-generation Super Hornets will arrive in Australia later this month.

The Super Hornets arrival will represent a major leap in Air Force capability. They are Australia's first new air combat aircraft in 25 years.

A detachment of aircrew and maintenance personnel from RAAF's No. 1 Squadron is currently at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California, preparing the aircraft for the series of flights to Australia.


A rainbow casts in the showery weather at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, USA, to make a stunning scene for Australia’s Super Hornet.



Super Hornet A44-202 performs a work up flight over Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California, USA.



Super Hornet A44-202 preforms a work up flight over Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California, USA.



Super Hornet A44-204 has just refuelled from an Omega Tanker during a work up flight over Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California, USA.



Super Hornet A44-204 performs a work up flight over Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California, USA.



Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

[Metallic]

Boeing Receives Authorised Engineering Organisation Certification for Australian Super Hornets
17 MARCH 2010

Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], has received accreditation from the Commonwealth of Australia as an Authorised Engineering Organisation (AEO) for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornet Weapon System.

Boeing Defence Australia now is authorized to provide engineering services to support the RAAF’s 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft through a combination of local engineering services and U.S. capabilities based in St. Louis.

RAAF Wing Cmdr. Jason Murray, chief engineer of the Tactical Fighter System Program Office, presented the AEO certification to Murray Brabook, Boeing Defence Australia director of Platform Maintenance, on March 2.

“AEO certification is a significant achievement, as it acknowledges Boeing Defence Australia’s compliance with the RAAF Technical Airworthiness Regulatory framework and will enable the company to provide critical engineering services to the Australian Defence Force,” Murray said.

“Becoming an AEO is an important component of Boeing Defence Australia’s Super Hornet support capabilities, and is the result of excellent teamwork and collaboration between Boeing and the Commonwealth,” Brabook said.

Subcontracted to Boeing under the Commonwealth’s Super Hornet Sustainment Contract, Boeing Defence Australia will deliver sustainment operations at its facilities at RAAF Base Amberley.

Australia became the first international Super Hornet customer in 2007 with an order for 24 aircraft. The first contingent will arrive in-country this month, and Boeing is on schedule to deliver the remaining fighters to the RAAF throughout 2010 and 2011.

Boeing Defence Australia also is an AEO for Australia’s F-111 Weapon System and F/A-18A/B Hornet Weapon System.


Source: The Boeing Company

 

[Metallic]

Super Hornets depart USA
22 MARCH 2010

The first group of Royal Australian Air Force's next-generation Super Hornets will arrive in Australia later this month.

The Super Hornets arrival will represent a major leap in Air Force capability. They are Australia's first new air combat aircraft in 25 years.

A detachment of aircrew and maintenance personnel from RAAF's No. 1 Squadron is currently at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California, preparing the aircraft for the series of flights to Australia.

The Australian Super Hornets perfrom a work up flight over the Sierra Nevada Mountain Ranges in California, USA.



The Australian Super Hornets perfrom a work up flight over the Sierra Nevada Mountain Ranges in California, USA.



Super Hornets on the flightline at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, USA.



Australia's first F/A-18F Super Hornets depart on the first leg of the ferry from the United States to their new home at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley.



Australia's first F/A-18F Super Hornets depart on the first leg of the ferry from the United States to their new home at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley.



Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

[Metallic]

Australian Super Hornet's Being Ferried across the Pacific Ocean
25 MARCH 2010

Australia is acquiring 24 Block II F/A-18F Super Hornets as a bridging air combat capability during the transition to the F35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The F/A-18F Super Hornet (Rhino) is a true multi-role aircraft that spans the air combat spectrum, including maritime strike which is vital for Australia .

The Super Hornets will be progressively introduced to their new home at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley throughout 2010 and 2011.


Australian Super Hornets get ready to take off from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, USA, for the ferry across the Pacific Ocean, bringing the Super Hornets home to Australia.


Australian Super Hornets ferry across the Pacific Ocean home to Australia.



Australian Super Hornets ferry across the Pacific Ocean home to Australia.



Australian Super Hornets at Pago Pago, American Samoa, USA, in the ferry across the Pacific Ocean to bring the Super Hornets home to Australia.



Australian Super Hornet being refuelled by the Omega Tanker as it ferrys across the Pacific Ocean home to Australia.



Australian Super Hornet being refuelled by the Omega Tanker as it ferrys across the Pacific Ocean home to Australia.



Australian Super Hornets at Auckland Airport, New Zealand, in the ferry across the Pacific Ocean to bring the Super Hornets home to Australia.



Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

[Metallic]

Australian Super Hornet's Being Ferried across the Pacific Ocean
25 MARCH 2010

Australia is acquiring 24 Block II F/A-18F Super Hornets as a bridging air combat capability during the transition to the F35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The F/A-18F Super Hornet (Rhino) is a true multi-role aircraft that spans the air combat spectrum, including maritime strike which is vital for Australia .

The Super Hornets will be progressively introduced to their new home at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley throughout 2010 and 2011.

Australian Super Hornets ferry across the Pacific to Australia.











Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

[Metallic]

F/A-18F Super Hornet Home Coming Ceremony
AUSTRALIA - 26 MARCH 2010

Air Force today welcomed home the first five of 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets.

The aircraft touched down at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland at 1:34pm local time, following a formation flight over Southeast Queensland with some of the F-111s they will replace.

Defence leaders along with local Government, United States Navy and Boeing dignitaries were on-hand for the welcome ceremony.

Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner said, “The Super Hornets’ arrival marks a new chapter for Air Force.”

“Australia’s 24 Super Hornets will be the bridging air combat capability during the transition to the Joint Strike Fighter force and will maintain our regional air superiority as our F-111s are withdrawn,” Senator Faulkner said.

Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, the Hon Greg Combet MP, said, “The Super Hornet project is on-budget and on-schedule. It has been an outstanding example of an accelerated acquisition and model partnership.”

The Super Hornets, known affectionately as ‘Rhinos’, will be operated by Numbers 1 and 6 Squadrons at RAAF Amberley.

The US-built multirole fighters are Australia’s first new combat aircraft type in 25 years. They will replace RAAF’s 37-year-old F-111 fleet, which will retire at the end of the year.

While the new fighters share a strong resemblance with Air Force’s existing F/A-18A/B ‘classic’ Hornets, they feature stealth characteristics, an enlarged airframe, more powerful engines, greater weapons and fuel payload, advanced avionics and state-of-the-art radar.


Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornets fly over the Mirage Mariner on the Spit, Gold Coast.



Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornets fly towards Brisbane.



Chief of Air Force, Air Marshall Mark Binskin, addresses the gathered crowd at the homecoming ceremony for the first ferry of Australia’s fleet of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets



Left to Right: Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin, Rear Admiral Mark Skinner from the United States Navy, Minister for Defence Senator John Faulkner, Boeing's Dennis Muilenburg and Bob Gower, The Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Paul Pisasale, and Wing Commander Glen Braz, Commanding Officer, 1 Squadron at the Super Hornet Welcome Ceremony.


Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, addresses the crowd at the homecoming ceremony for the first of Australia’s fleet of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets.



F/A-18F Super Hornets line up to be welcomed at the RAAF Base Amberley's Super Hornet Home Coming Ceremony.




Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

[Metallic]

Boeing, RAAF Welcome Super Hornets to Australia
28 MARCH 2010

The first five Boeing [NYSE: BA] F/A-18F Super Hornets for Australia landed at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley on March 26, bringing the next generation in air combat capability to the multirole fighter's first international customer.

The Super Hornets, piloted by RAAF aircrews, departed U.S. Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., on March 18 and made scheduled stops in Hawaii, Pago Pago and New Zealand on the way to Amberley.

The Australian Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, welcomed the RAAF Super Hornets to Australia at a ceremony on the base. Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, joined Faulkner at the event.

"The men and women of Boeing are honored to provide the next generation in air combat capability to the Royal Australian Air Force and proud to deliver it on time and on budget for all Australians," said Muilenburg. "The arrival of these Super Hornets marks a new chapter in a partnership between Boeing and Australia that has endured for more than 80 years. The exceptional collaboration and teamwork between Australia's Defence Materiel Organisation, the Royal Australian Air Force, the U.S. Navy and the Hornet Industry Team was the foundation that ensured these new Super Hornets are now ready to begin their RAAF service."

Among the other officials attending the event were Australian Defence Secretary Ian Watt; Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of the Defence Force; Air Marshal Mark Binskin, Chief of Air Force; and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Skinner.

Australia announced its intent to acquire 24 Super Hornets in March 2007. The remaining 19 aircraft, each equipped with the Raytheon-built APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, will arrive in Australia throughout 2010 and 2011.

"The on-schedule arrival of the new Australian Super Hornets marks the beginning of a new generation of air power for the RAAF," said Group Captain Steven Roberton, Officer Commanding the Super Hornet Wing. "The multirole Super Hornet is an advanced, networked weapons system that provides a major leap in capability for the RAAF.

"We are looking forward to the new operational capability," Roberton continued. "The Super Hornet employs advanced networked sensors that provide its two aircrew with total situational awareness, enabling them to conduct simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground operations."

The Boeing Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. Boeing has delivered more than 420 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered on or ahead of schedule and on budget.


Source: The Boeing Company

 

[Metallic]

Australian Super Hornets with a F-111
AUSTRALIA - 30 MARCH 2010

Australia is acquiring 24 Block II F/A-18F Super Hornets as a bridging air combat capability during the transition to the F35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The F/A-18F Super Hornet (Rhino) is a true multi-role aircraft that spans the air combat spectrum, including maritime strike which is vital for Australia.

The Super Hornets will be progressively introduced to their new home at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley throughout 2010 and 2011.

Australian Super Hornets fly in formation with the F-111, a symbolic representation of the old leading the new home, in the ferry across the Pacific Ocean.







Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

[Metallic]

Boeing Awarded Additional Contract for F/A-18 Technical Publication Services
14 APRIL 2010

Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], has signed a three-year contract worth AU$4.5 million to provide the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with support for F/A-18 Hornet aircraft technical publications.

Boeing Defence Australia has provided F/A-18 technical publication services including management, production of amendments and additional support tasks as required to the RAAF for the past five years.

"By working in partnership with the RAAF's Tactical Fighter Systems Project Office (TFSPO), Boeing Defence Australia has been able to deliver responsive and innovative solutions," said Scott Marosek, Boeing Defence Australia senior manager for Global Services & Support – Australia Technical Support. "Our highly skilled and supportive team is committed to delivering the best outcome for TFSPO. We look forward to continuously improving our working relationship to ensure world-class technical publication services for the RAAF's F/A-18 fleet over the next three years."

TFSPO Engineering Support Manager David Martinek said the effectiveness of technical publication support for the F/A-18 fleet provided by Boeing Defence Australia to date is mainly due to their expertise with managing the configuration of instructions for continued airworthiness within a common source database environment.

"At the end of the day, we share the common goal of delivering highly responsive and reliable technical publication support to ensure the safety and availability of the F/A-18 fleet," said Martinek. "The commitment and sound knowledge of the F/A-18 that Boeing Defence Australia offers enable optimum solutions to be developed. We look forward to working with Boeing Defence Australia as a partner over the next three years."

Other services Boeing Defence Australia provides to support the F/A-18 fleet include platform maintenance, modifications and upgrades at RAAF Base Williamtown, as well as supply chain services such as spares manufacturing and repairs from Brisbane.


Source: The Boeing Company

 

[newskycars]

During the training lot of troubles are faced by the young men and succeed those people which have a patience and accept the challenge whatever and get the award at the end one of my cousin also awarded in the F-16 and our whole family was happy and be proud of him