F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Totally Explained

Everything about F A-18e F Super Hornet totally explained

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a supersonic carrier-based fighter/attack aircraft. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a larger and more advanced derivative of the F/A-18C/D Hornet. The Super Hornet entered service with the United States Navy in 1999, replacing the F-14 Tomcat and will serve alongside the original Hornet. The Super Hornet was ordered in 2007 by the Royal Australian Air Force to replace its aging F-111 fleet.

Development

Origins

The Super Hornet is a larger and more advanced variant on the F/A-18C/D Hornet. An early version was marketed by McDonnell Douglas as Hornet 2000 in the 1980s. The Hornet 2000 concept was an advanced version of the F/A-18 with a larger wing, longer fuselage to carry more fuel and more powerful engines.
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 canceled. The Gulf War revealed that the US Navy's strike capability lagged behind that of the U.S. 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. As an alternative to the A-12, McDonnell Douglas proposed the "Super Hornet" (or, initially, "Hornet II"), originally put forward in the 1980s to improve early F/A-18 models, and serve as an alternate replacement for the A-6 Intruder which had a greater range / payload than the A-7 Corsair that the original Hornet was designed to replace. At the same time, the Navy needed a fleet defense fighter to replace the canceled NATF, which was a proposed navalized variant of the F-22 Raptor.

Turning to the Super Hornet

The Super Hornet was first ordered by the U.S. Navy in 1992. The Navy would also direct that this fighter replace the aging F-14 Tomcat, essentially basing all naval combat jets on Hornet variants until the introduction of the F-35C Lightning II. The Navy retained the F/A-18 designation to sell the program to Congress as a low-risk "derivative", though the Super Hornet is largely a new aircraft with little more than an aerodynamic resemblance to previous Hornets. with full production beginning in September 1997. Testing continued through 1999, finishing with sea trials and aerial refueling demonstrations. Testing involved 3,100 test flights covering 4,600 flight hours. and was approved in February 2000. The Navy considers acquisition of the Super Hornet a success with it meeting cost, schedule and weight (400 lb, 181 kg below) requirements.
   Despite the same general layout and systems, there are many differences from the original F/A-18 Hornet. The Super Hornet is informally referred to as the "Rhino" to distinguish it from earlier model "legacy" Hornets. The "Rhino" reference is important for safe aircraft carrier flight operations. For example, flight deck crew launching a "Rhino" set the damping mechanisms anchoring the arrestor cables correctly for the Super Hornet's higher landing weight. Current versions include the F/A-18E single-seater and F/A-18F two-seater.
   The U.S. Navy's F-14 squadrons have converted to the Super Hornet, which is also taking on the missions of the retired A-6 Intruder, S-3 Viking, and KA-6D. An electronic warfare variant, the EA-18G Growler, will replace the aging EA-6B Prowler. The Navy calls this reduction in aircraft types a "neck-down". In the Vietnam War, the Super Hornet type missions were covered by no less than the A-1/A-4/A-7 (light attack), A-6 (medium attack), F-8/F-4 (fighter), RA-5C (recon), KA-3/KA-6 (tanker) and EA-6 (electronic warfare). It is anticipated that $1 billion in fleet wide annual savings will result from replacing other types with the Super Hornet. Only the turboprop and rotor-wing aircraft roles won't be covered by the Hornet.
   On May 17, 2007, it was reported that engineers had uncovered a flaw in the Super Hornet's under wing pylons, which could reduce the aircraft's service life unless repaired. The problem has been corrected on new airplanes and existing airplanes will be repaired starting in 2009.
   In early 2008, Boeing has had some discussion with the US and Australian militaries about creating a Super Hornet Block III, a generation 4.75 upgrade with extra forward stealth capabilities and extended range, to be succeeded in 2024 by a sixth-generation fighter.

Design

The design of the Super Hornet may have gone through a more extensive evolution than any other combat aircraft. The F-5 Freedom Fighter donated its basic wing platform, enlarged wing root extensions, and nose as the starting point for the Northrop YF-17 lightweight fighter. The YF-17 was then sized up to produce the middle-weight F/A-18 multi-role fighter, which roughly matched the F-4 Phantom II in range/payload and missile armament. The Super Hornet is about 20% larger, 7000 lb (3000 kg) heavier empty, and 15,000 lb (6800 kg) heavier at maximum weight than the original Hornet. The Super Hornet carries 33% more internal fuel

, increasing mission range by 41% and endurance by 50% over the "Legacy" Hornet. The empty weight of the Super Hornet is about 11,000 lb (5000 kg) less than that of the F-14 Tomcat that it replaced.
The Super Hornet's original avionics and software have a 90% commonality with then current F/A-18C/Ds. The fuselage is slightly longer with a 34-inch extension. It has two additional weapons stations, bringing the total to 11. For aircraft carrier operations, about three times more payload can be brought back to the ship.

Airframe changes

The wing, center and aft fuselage, tail surfaces and power plants are entirely new. The wing area of the Super Hornet is 25% larger. 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 from the Hornet's F404 to power this larger, heavier aircraft. The aircraft can carry five 480 US gallon (1,800 liter) external fuel tanks for long-distance ferry flights or four tanks plus an Aerial Refueling Store (ARS), or "buddy store", which allows the Super Hornet to refuel other aircraft. The Super Hornet can return to an aircraft carrier with a larger load of unspent fuel and munitions than the original Hornet. The term for this ability is known as "bringback". Bringback for the Super Hornet is in excess of 9,000 pounds (4,000 kg).
Other differences include rectangular intakes for the engines, a reduced radar cross section (RCS), two extra wing hard points for payload, and other aerodynamic changes. In the end, the Super Hornet shared little with earlier F/A-18s aft of the forward fuselage. The Super Hornet has 42% fewer structural parts than the original Hornet design. Flight characteristics include being highly departure resistant through its flight envelope, and having high angle-of-attack with care free flying qualities for combat and ease of training.

Radar signature reduction measures

Survivability is an important feature of the Super Hornet design. The US Navy says that a "balanced approach" to survivability was built in to the design. This means that it doesn't rely on low-observable technology such as stealth systems-to the exclusion of other survivability factors. Instead, its design incorporates a combination of stealth, advanced electronic-warfare capabilities, reduced ballistic vulnerability, the use of standoff weapons, and innovative tactics that cumulatively and collectively enhance the safety of the fighter and crew.
   The F/A-18E/F's radar cross section was reduced greatly from some aspects, mainly front and rear.
   The Super Hornet also makes considerable use of panel join serration and edge alignment. Considerable attention has been paid to the removal or filling of unnecessary surface join gaps and resonant cavities. Where the F/A-18A-D used grilles to cover various accessory exhaust and inlet ducts, the F/A-18E/F uses perforated panels that appear opaque to radar waves at the frequencies used. Careful attention has been paid to the alignment of many panel boundaries and edges, to scatter traveling waves away from the aircraft. The Super Hornet has a quadruplex digital fly-by-wire system, as well as a digital flight-control system that detects and corrects for battle damage. filling the tactical airborne tanker role the Navy had lost with the retirement of the KA-6D tankers. The ARS includes an external 330 US gallon tank with hose reel on the centerline along with four external 480 US gallon (1800 L) tanks and internal tanks for a total of 29,000 pounds (13 000 kg) of fuel on the aircraft. As of January 2008, 135 earlier production aircraft are to receive AESA radar retrofits. VFA-213 "Black Lions" and VFA-106 "Gladiators" based at Oceana Naval Air Station were the first two squadrons to fly the AESA-equipped Super Hornets. VFA-213 flew F-14 aircraft prior to receiving the F/A-18.
   The new APG-79 AESA offers several advantages for the Super Hornet. The new radar gives the aircrew the ability to execute simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks. The APG-79 also provides higher quality high-resolution ground mapping at long standoff ranges. The AESA radar also offers the ability to detect smaller targets, such as inbound missiles. VFA-213 became "safe for flight" (independently fly and maintain the F/A-18F) on October 27, 2006 and is the first Super Hornet squadron to fly AESA-equipped Super Hornets. AN/ALE-55 Fiber-Optic Towed Decoy will replace the ALE-50.
   The improved AN/ALQ-214 jammer was added on Super Hornet Block II.
   The first Super Hornet upgraded with an aft cockpit Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) was delivered to VFA-213 squadron on May 18, 2007. VFA-213 is the first squadron to receive the Dual-Cockpit Cueing System for both pilot and Weapon systems officer. The JHMCS provides multi-purpose aircrew situational awareness including high-off-bore-sight cueing of the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile. Shared Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP) is a high-resolution, digital tactical air reconnaissance system that features advanced day/night and all-weather capability.
   In the future, air-to-air target detection using Infrared Search and Track (IRST) in the form of a passive, long range sensor that detects long wave IR emissions will be an option with a unique solution. This new device will be a sensor built into the front of a centerline external fuel tank. Operational capability of this device is expected in 2013.

Missions performed

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 (Airborne) (FAC(A))
Air-to-Air Refueling
Leaflet drops with Payload Delivery Unit 5 (PDU-5) containers

Operational history

United States Navy

The first unit to bring their F/A-18 Super Hornets to combat was VFA-115. On November 6, 2002, two F/A-18Es conducted a "Response Option" strike in support of Operation Southern Watch on two surface-to-air missile launchers at Al Kut and an air defense command and control bunker at Tallil air base. One of the pilots, Lieutenant John Turner, dropped 2,000 lb (900 kg) JDAM bombs for the first time from the F/A-18E in wartime.
   In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, VFA-14, VFA-41 and VFA-115 flew Close Air Support, strike, escort, SEAD and aerial refueling sorties. Two F/A-18Es from VFA-14 and two F/A-18Fs from VFA-41 were forward deployed to the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). The VFA-14 jets flew mostly as aerial refuelers and the VFA-41 jets as Forward Air Controller (Airborne) or FAC(A)s.
   On April 6, 2005, VFA-154 and VFA-147 dropped two 500-pound laser-guided bombs on enemy insurgent location east of Baghdad.
   On September 8, 2006, VFA-211 F/A-18F Super Hornet expended GBU-12 and GBU-38 bombs against Taliban fighters and Taliban fortifications west and northwest of Kandahar. This was the first time the unit was in combat with the Super Hornet.
   During the 2006-2007 cruise with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, VFA-103 and VFA-143 supported Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and operations off the Somali coast, and alongside "Legacy Hornet" squadrons VFA-131 and VFA-83, they dropped 140 precision guided weapons and performed nearly 70 strafing runs.

Royal Australian Air Force

On May 3, 2007 the Australian Government signed a contract to acquire 24 F/A-18Fs for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), at a cost of A$2.9 billion, as an interim replacement for the aging F-111s. The total cost with training and support over 10 years is A$6 billion (US$4.6 billion). The Super Hornet order has resulted from concern that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) won't be operational by the time the F-111s are retired. RAAF pilots and air combat officers will begin training in the USA in 2009, with No. 1 Squadron and No. 6 Squadron planned to become fully operational with the F/A-18F in 2010.
The order has proved to be controversial, with the critics including some retired senior RAAF officers. Air Vice Marshal (ret.) Peter Criss, a former Air Commander Australia, said he was "absolutely astounded" that the Australian government would spend $6 billion on an interim aircraft. Criss has also cited evidence given before the US Senate Armed Services Committee that the F/A-18F is inferior to the MiG-29 and Su-30, which are already operated, or have been ordered, by air forces in South East Asia. Air Commodore (ret.) Ted Bushell stated that the F/A-18F couldn't perform the role that the Australian government had given it, and the F-111 airframe design would remain suitable for the strategic deterrent/strike role until at least 2020.
The initial package offered to the RAAF will include:

48 installed engines and six spares

APG-79 AESA radar in each plane

Link 16 connectivity with the AN/USQ-140 Multifunctional Informational Distribution System (MIDS)

LAU-127 guided missile launchers

AN/PVS-9 night vision goggles

12 Joint Mission Planning Systems (JMPS)

AN/ALE-55 fiber optic towed decoys On the 31 December, 2007, the new Australian Labor government announced that it would review the purchase as part of a wider review of the RAAF's fighter procurement plans, with the possibility of the order for F/A-18Fs being either reduced or canceled. The main reasons given were concerns over operational suitability, the lack of a proper review process, and internal beliefs that an interim fighter wasn't required.
On the 17 March, 2008, the Government announced that it would proceed with plans to acquire all 24 F/A-18Fs. Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said that, based on advice from the review team, the Government had concluded that it was necessary to purchase the Super Hornets, though they remained critical of the previous government's air power planning. He said no other suitable aircraft could be produced to meet the 2010 deadline for the retirement of the F-111 set by the former government and it was no longer possible to keep the F-111s in service past this date.

Potential operators

Boeing discussed the Super Hornet with the Danish and Brazilian governments in early 2008. The Super Hornet is one of several fighter aircraft in a Danish competition to replace 48 F-16s.
Boeing submitted a proposal for India's Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) competition on 24 April 2008. The Super Hornet variant being offered to India is named F/A-18IN. It will include Raytheon's APG-79 AESA radar.

Variants

F/A-18E Super Hornet: single seat variant

F/A-18F Super Hornet: two-seat variant

EA-18G Growler: The electronic warfare version of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, slated to begin production in 2008, with fleet deployment in 2009. The EA-18G will replace the U.S. Navy's EA-6B Prowler.

Operators

Royal Australian Air Force (24 aircraft on order, none yet delivered)

Popular culture

Jane's Combat Simulations released a simulator based on the F/A-18E Super Hornet titled "Jane's F/A-18" in 2000. The Super Hornet is the main carrier jet in the film Behind Enemy Lines. An F/A-18F is shot down in the movie.

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