Photograph:
Boeing FA-18F Super Hornet A44-208 at Avalon, VIC in March 2011 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Single-seat or two-seat multi-role fighter and strike fighter
Power Plant:
Two 18,000 lbst [22,000 lbst with afterburning] General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans
Specifications:
- Wingspan [over missiles]: 13.62 m (44 ft 8½ in)
- Length: 18.31 m (60 ft 1¼ in)
- Height: 4.88 m (16 ft)
- Wing area: 46.45 m² (500 sq ft)
- Width [wings folded]: 9.32 m (30 ft 6 in)
- Max speed: 1,911 km/h (1,187 mph) – Mach 1.8
- Approach speed: 248 km/h (154 mph)
- Combat ceiling: 13,865 m (45,489 ft)
- Range on hi-hi-hi interdiction mission with four 450 kg (1,000 lb) bombs, two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and two drop tanks: 1,095 km (681 miles)
- External fuel capacity five tanks of 1,817 litres (400 Imp gals) – total: 9,085 litres (1,998 Imp gals)
- Take-off run: 427 m (1,401 ft)
- Ferry range un-refuelled: 3,334 km (2,072 miles)
- Internal fuel capacity: 6,668 kg (14,700 lb)
- Empty weight [fighter]: 13,864 kg (30,564 lb)
- Loaded weight: 21,320 kg (47,000 lb)
- Max take-off weight: 29,900 kg (66,000 lb)
Armament:
One 20 mm (0.508 in) M61A1/A2 Vulcan cannon; 11 hardpoints with capacity up to 8,050
kg (17,750 lb); two AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles; AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles; AGM-84 Harpoon missile; AGM-65 Maverick missiles; range of bombs and standoff weapons
History:
Following the cancellation of the McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II attack aircraft for the US Navy, and the decision by the United States to not adapt the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor for carrier operations, it was decided to develop a new variant of the McDonnell Douglas FA-18 Hornet, known as the Super Hornet, this being similar in appearance but scaled up, the new aircraft giving the US Navy fleet a defence fighter with up-dated manoeuvrability, sensors and weapons.It subsequently replaced the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, which was phased out of service in late 2006.
The Boeing FA-18E was a single-seat aircraft which was 1.28 m (33.7 in) longer than the old type, had 25 per cent greater wing area, and could carry 33 per cent more internal fuel. It had a total of 11 hardpoints for weapons. The main distinguishing feature was the squared-off engine intakes to allow greater air intake for the more powerful engines, and a reduced radar signature. The new aircraft had a ‘cleaner’ airframe which was the subject of some subtle stealth shaping and low observable features. It had larger leading wing root extensions and was said to have 35 per cent fewer parts, thus reducing maintenance costs.
The Super Hornet had a Raytheon APG-79 Advanced Electrically Scanned Array radar which allowed the aircraft to scan the ground and sky for threats whilst tracking multiple targets simultaneously. In the cockpit were Digital Expandable Colour Displays, an Advanced Mission Computer and Display, and a superior stores management system. Up to 8,032 kg (17,707 lb) of stores could be carried on the eight underwing and three fuselage hardpoints, and the aircraft was fitted with the 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon in the nose. With three drop tanks, full internal fuel, combat and reserve allowances, eight AIM-120 AMRAAMS and two AIM-9 Sidewinders, the Super Hornet had an intercept radius of 1,204 km (748 miles). Power plant was the General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofan producing 22,000 lbst with afterburner.
A two-seat variant known as the FA-18F was developed for training and conversion, and a variant of this model, known as the EA-18G, was developed for the electronic attack role, entering service with the US Navy in 2009. The FA-18F was built mainly from aluminium alloys with extensive use of carbon fibre composite skins in the wings and titanium in critical areas. Design load factor was 7.5G.
In early 2007 the Australian Government announced it was obtaining 24 Boeing FA-18F Super Hornets for the RAAF to cover a bridging capability between when the General Dynamics F-111 was retired from service in 2010 and when the operational capability of the new Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II program commenced to deliver aircraft in 2013, the latter not expecting to enter service before 2015.
The acquisition of 50 Super Hornets had previously been considered in the late 1990s as an alternative to a comprehensive upgrade of the FA-18A Hornet but the RAAF chose to proceed with the upgrade under its Air 5376 programme. It was expected the FA-18A Hornet would be retired in about 2017.
Super Hornets visited Australia and given demonstrations to Australian defence staff during the Australian International Air Show at Avalon, VIC in 2005, 2007 and 2009.
The Super Hornet was acquired through US Foreign Military Sales channels under the Air 5349 Bridging Air Combat Capability Project. Australian crews commenced training in 2009 at the US Navy Station at Lemoore in California, with the type’s introduction into service at RAAF Amberley, QLD in 2010, the first aircraft to be delivered to Australia in March that year. In the event, the first aircraft A44-201 (BuA 167957) was delivered to the RAAF three months early in late July 2009, the other 23 aircraft becoming A44-202 to A44-224 (BuA 167958 to 167980) as they were delivered. In March 2010 the first five aircraft were delivered to No 1 Squadron at Amberley, leaving US NAS Lemoore in California and flying with the assistance of an Omega Aerial Refuelling Service KC-10 tanker.
The Super Hornet was first flown on 29 November 1995 and was built by a team that included Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Electric Aircraft Engines, Raytheon, and 1,800 suppliers in the US and Canada. The first production machine was delivered to the US Navy in December 1998 and it entered service in November 1999, standing orders being for 460 aircraft for the US Navy with deliveries up to 2012.
Sea trials took place on board the ‘USS John C Stennis’ (CVN.74). The type replaced the Grumman F-14 Tomcat Squadrons and took on the roles previously performed by the Grumman A-6 Intruder, the Lockheed S-3 Viking and the Grumman KA-6D.
The type first saw service with VFA-115 on 6 November 2002 in support of Operation Southern Watch and was operated during Operation Iraqi Freedom in the close air support, strike, SEAD and aerial refuelling roles. On 8 September 2006 FA-18Fs dropped bombs on Taliban fighters and Taliban fortifications in Afghanistan.
In September 2014 two RAAF Super Hornets A44-209 and A44-214 were flown, along with an Airbus KC-30A A39-002 and a Boeing E-7A Wedgetail, to Al Minhad Air Base near Dubai in the United rab Emirates where they commenced bombing operations alongside US, British, French and other countries air forces in operations against Islamac State terrorists. Further examples were operated over subsequent years, with the aircraft and crews being regularly rotated.
In late 2016 No 6 Squadron RAAF completed its last flight with the Boeing FA-18F as the unit prepared to introduce the Boeing EA-18G Growler into service, six of the unit’s Boeing FA-18Fs marking the occasion with a farewell flight over south Queensland on 23 November, the last flight of the type with the unit before the aircraft were transferred to No 1 Squadron, this unit taking over operation of all 24 aircraft.
On 9 December 2020 FA-18F A4-223 whilst on take-off at RAAF Amberley had a major problem, the crew aborting the take-off and ejecting, the aircraft rolling to a stop when the nosewheel undercarriage collapsed. Immedicately all aircraft in the Super Hornet and Growler fleet were grounded pending an investigation of the accident.