Superhornet (f/a18e/f) & Growler (ea-18g) Thread

[Hyperwarp]

That's an excellent video.

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You know Jeff, the F/A-18E/F is one of the most insulted A/Cs. Sewer-Hornet, Sewer-Horror, Super-Horror, Super-Whore-net, Stupid-Hornet, Subpar-Hornet and the list just goes on. But, for such an insulted A/C it seem to do really well. Its an excellent all-round A/C. And the Advanced SH is even expanding more. Another big plus is supposed to be the cost. At the Indian MMRCA SH was said to be the most cost effective IIRC. The hate towards the SH baffles me a lot.

 

[Air Force Brat]

You know Jeff, the F/A-18E/F is one of the most insulted A/Cs. Sewer-Hornet, Sewer-Horror, Super-Horror, Super-Whore-net, Stupid-Hornet, Subpar-Hornet and the list just goes on. But, for such an insulted A/C it seem to do really well. Its an excellent all-round A/C. And the Advanced SH is even expanding more. Another big plus is supposed to be the cost. At the Indian MMRCA SH was said to be the most cost effective IIRC. The hate towards the SH baffles me a lot.

I absolutely agree Hyperwarp, that same il-informed, mis-informed, or just plain dishonest Krap follows the F-22, in fact on our sister forum DT, folks are forbidden from talking about the Raptor, and suggestions by some posters that the Super Hornet would re-place or be bought as an interim purchase, instead of the F-35 by AUS were highly agitating to some, however as already posted Aus is going to purchase 12 Growlers, although I must say I really do admire their loyalty to the F-35, and much to their credit, I did receive a good education on the F-35 capabilities, which are indeed amazing, but most certainly do not eclipse the F-22 as maintained by some, in fact the Growler and F-35 are building on many of the Raptors virtues, great video Jeff and thanks. brat

 

[Air Force Brat]

That's an excellent video.

Air Force Brat, you will like this demonstration of extreme maneuverability even when at a max load out condition..

I love that Jeff, and as you may recall, the Hornet/Super Hornet have evolved from the lovely little Northrupp XP-530, which remained a pipe-dream for lots of 10 year olds, well maybe just the Air Force Brat, but I digress. The Hornet has been a fabulous mount for the Blues, and my first exposure to the Hornet, up close and personal was almost as jaw dropping as my first exposure to the F-22, I do have a Hornet on my flight sim, and yes it is crazy maneuverable, if you bright lads will observe the ASI on the HUD, it is often hovering in the 170-185 knot range, the Hornet is a very docile aircraft, and the FCS flies it Very Well, and for those who maintain the stabilators lack authority, at high angle of attack and low airspeeds, should observe the quick transitions from very high alpha maneuvers to -3G pitch transitions to "unload" the aircraft, and return to controlled flight avoiding departure, at very LOW airspeeds. brat

 

[Air Force Brat]

The Super Hornet is the US Navy's top fleet defense, war at sea, air superiority, and grouind attack/support aircraft and will remain so for the next 20 and more years. I thought we should have a thread here on SD regarding it.

F/A-18F SUper Hornet
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The Super Hornet was a major rebuild of the F/A-18C/D Hornet. It is really an all new aircraft, significantly modernized and enhanced, signifanctly larger, with a lot more range and weapons carrying capability. It became operational with the US Navy in 2001. To date, well over 500 have been built and it is now in operation with the US Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force.

EA-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Aircraft
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An electronic warfare version, completely refitted for that role, the EA-18G Growler has now been produced and made operational. It is in the process of replacing the older EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft operated by the US Navy. A squadron of EA-18G Growlers will aboard each US Aircraft Carrier. The Australians are also buying 12 EA-18G Growlers for the Royal Australian Air Force.

F/A-18 Advanced Super Hornet
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A new, modernized and even more stealthy version of the aircraft has also been developed for the US Navy and is being marketed to other nations. This is the F/A-18 Advanced Super Hornet and adds internal, conformal fuel tanks, stealthy weapons pods, greater thrust, a new enhanced cockpit, and better infrared capabilities. The enhancemens can be retrofitted onto existing Super Hornets for $12-14 million per aircraft, or new builds can be manufactured for $56 million. These aircraft will have an almost 150 nm combat radius longer range, be up to 50% more stealthy, and be able to perform the same multi-role missions as the existing Super Hornets.

At to existing F/A-18E/F aircraft, here's an excellent (albeit long) video of the Super Hornet in action. Specifically, this is Strike Figter Squadron VFA-102, the Diamondbacks during their 2012 deployment attached to Cairrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 of the USS George Washington, CVN-73, carrier battle group.

Some great eye candy here that folks like Air Force Brat and others will really enjoy.

This is indeed a great video, particularly the up close and personal ACM action, notice the RIO's head bobbin, and rubber necking in those high G turns, he's trying to keep the "bogey in sight", while the boss-man, hosses Nellie Belle around, awesome team-work, one of the beautiful things illustrated in "Top-Gun", a beautiful movie, one of the best "flying" movies ever produced, yes the story line is a little over the top, but the flying, that's all real-deal, as illustrated in this also great video, long live the Tomkat, and her little sister the Hornet/Super Hornet. brat

 

[Jeff Head]

Flight of the new F-18 Advanced Hornet. Great enhancement to the Super Hornet.

Also, neat video of integration tests for four new Harpoon missiles on the F-18F Super Hornet. Awesome strike package.

 

[FORBIN]

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and

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will seek to develop an export market for the IRST21 (infrared search and track) pod after gaining production approval from the US Navy, company officials say.

“We have shown the IRST capability to lots of people in the international world,” says Mark Gammon, a Boeing senior manager of F/A-18 innovation and growth. “A lot of work has gone on with the US Navy and US government to define the export policy.”

The US Navy plans to operate the IRST21 – officially dubbed the ASG-34(V)1 – pod on the F/A-18E/F

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, pairing the passive, long-range infrared seeker with the fighter’s Raytheon-built APG-79 active electronically scanned array (AESA) to identify and track targets in air combat.

The radar is used to establish the range of the target, while the IRST sensor is used to pinpoint the azimuth and elevation, Gammon says. As a passive sensor, the IRST also can detect targets without issuing potentially compromising electronic transmissions.

The only export customer for the Super Hornet so far is the Royal Australian Air Force, which operates 24 F/A-18Fs and 12 EA-18Gs, an electronic warfare variant.

The US Navy’s latest approval clears the Boeing/Lockheed team to enter low-rate initial production (LRIP). The first lot, called LRIP 1, goes on contract this month and are scheduled for delivery in fiscal 2017. The LRIP II deal should be signed in the fourth quarter this year.

In total, the US Navy plans to buy 170 IRST21 pods, which are mounted under the fuselage at the forward tip of the fuel tank. Several European and Russian fighters have IRST sensors integrated into the airframe, but the pod configuration allows the US Navy to move the sensors between aircraft as needed, Gammon says.
The pods will be delivered in two blocks. The first block, comprising the first 60 pods delivered, updates the technology Lockheed developed for the AAS-42 IRST pod formerly carried by the

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F-14D, says Paul Hey, Lockheed’s capture manager for IRST21. The second block of 110 pods will add detection range and advanced processing, he says.

“It will be state of the art performance unseen with any other search and track system,” Hey says.

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Jeff possible add Hornet and Growler to this thread title, for get all together ?

 

[Jeff Head]

Jeff possible add Hornet and Growler to this thread title, for get all together ?

Yes, I will add the Growler here.

But...

Folks, post news, views, pictures, etc. of the Superhornet (F/A-18E/F) and growler (EA-18G) here. The older, legacy hornet (F/A-18A/B/C/D) has its own individual thread.

 

[FORBIN]

EA-18G Growler

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Replace EA-6B Prowler, 135 ordered, 117 in service in more 15 others recently funded by Congress.
Used by 13 units two OEU, a OCU, 10 combat units including a Reserve sqn.
Remains 3 EA-6B sqns in transition and 2 new EA-18G sqns created in 2015/16.
OCU get about 10 EA-18G, a combat Sqn 5 planned 7 later some are named Joint Expeditionary Squadron use also USAF crew measures taken after the EF-111 withdrawal rather they are intended to operate from land bases.

All based to Whidbey Island, except a sqn based to Atsugi, Japan and OEU based to Pax and China Lake which use also many others aircrafts.

RAAF also have in order 12 EA-18G for equipped a sqn.

 

[FORBIN]

EW pod ALQ-99

 

[Silvestre]

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Strike Aircraft, United States of America

The US Navy F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet maritime strike attack aircraft, manufactured by Boeing, flew for the first time on November 29 1995. The Super Hornet is about 25% larger than its predecessor, the F/A-18C/D, but contains 42% fewer structural parts. The single-seat F/A-18/E and the two-seat F/A-18/F fly greater ranges with heavier payloads, have more powerful engines and provide greater survivability.

F/A-18 Super Hornet orders and deliveries
The first low-rate initial production aircraft was delivered in December 1998, and all 12 of the first batch were delivered by November 1999.

In February 1999, the US Navy placed an order for 30 Super Hornets, in addition to the 12 already ordered. Following successful completion of operational evaluation, in June 2000 the USN ordered 222 fighters to be produced over five years.

"The Super Hornet is a maritime strike attack aircraft."
The first full-rate production aircraft was delivered in September 2001.

A second multi-year contract was signed in January 2004 for 42 aircraft to be purchased between 2005 and 2009. Total requirement was for at least 545 aircraft. Over 500 aircraft had been delivered by April 2011.

Most interesting news about new fighters from USAF.
No all news in this site. Big news letter.

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600 builds by F-18F Super Hornets by another site.
USA, Australia and Finland will have.