Boeing Delivers 3rd Australian F/A-18F Super Hornet Ahead of Schedule
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 5, 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it delivered the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) third F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet three months ahead of schedule on Sept. 30, after completing production on the multirole fighter at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' St. Louis facility.
Boeing publicly debuted the first of the RAAF's 24 Super Hornets in St. Louis on July 8. Each of the three completed aircraft has been delivered three months ahead of schedule.
"We look forward to continuing to deliver Australia's newest combat aircraft on budget and ahead of schedule, as promised," said Carolyn Nichols, Boeing F/A-18F program manager for Australia. "Successful early delivery of these aircraft is a direct result of the great teamwork between Australia's Defence Materiel Organisation, the Royal Australian Air Force, the U.S. Navy, Boeing and the entire Hornet Industry Team."
The remaining RAAF Super Hornets, each equipped with the Raytheon-built APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, will be delivered through 2011.
"The Block II F/A-18F Super Hornet will provide the RAAF with an enhanced air combat capability across the spectrum of missions, with a twin-engine design that is ideal for our maritime operational requirements," said Group Capt. Steve Roberton, Head Air Combat Transition Office, Royal Australian Air Force.
Australia became the first international Super Hornet customer in March 2007, when the Australian government announced its intent to acquire 24 of the fighters.
The Block II F/A-18E/F 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 410 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered on or ahead of schedule.
Source: The Boeing Company
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.
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 5, 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it delivered the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) third F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet three months ahead of schedule on Sept. 30, after completing production on the multirole fighter at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' St. Louis facility.
Boeing publicly debuted the first of the RAAF's 24 Super Hornets in St. Louis on July 8. Each of the three completed aircraft has been delivered three months ahead of schedule.
"We look forward to continuing to deliver Australia's newest combat aircraft on budget and ahead of schedule, as promised," said Carolyn Nichols, Boeing F/A-18F program manager for Australia. "Successful early delivery of these aircraft is a direct result of the great teamwork between Australia's Defence Materiel Organisation, the Royal Australian Air Force, the U.S. Navy, Boeing and the entire Hornet Industry Team."
The remaining RAAF Super Hornets, each equipped with the Raytheon-built APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, will be delivered through 2011.
"The Block II F/A-18F Super Hornet will provide the RAAF with an enhanced air combat capability across the spectrum of missions, with a twin-engine design that is ideal for our maritime operational requirements," said Group Capt. Steve Roberton, Head Air Combat Transition Office, Royal Australian Air Force.
Australia became the first international Super Hornet customer in March 2007, when the Australian government announced its intent to acquire 24 of the fighters.
The Block II F/A-18E/F 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 410 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered on or ahead of schedule.
Source: The Boeing Company
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.
