combat aircraft

Since ‘9/11’ we’ve been at

war. We’ve been overseas in

Afghanistan, in Iraq, and in Syria, fl ying

the airplane as required to do the

nation’s bidding

RADM Michael T. Moran,

program executive offi cer for tactical aircraft programs

Below: Block II
Super Hornets were
introduced with
production Lot 26
in FY 2003 and
introduced to the fl eet
in April 2005. They
feature the advanced
cockpit station,
dual-cockpit JHMCS
and the APG-79 AESA
radar. Jamie Hunter

arrive this year. The second was expected

to have close to 5,900 hours. Boeing says

that eight more aircraft will follow during

2019, at which time aircraft will also be

accepted at its new San Antonio facility.

Most of the Super Hornets that come

through the SLM will be Block II aircraft,

but Gillian notes, ‘We expect some Block

Is, but the exact numbers have not yet

been set.’ Block I Super Hornets cannot

be converted to accept Block III standard

and would simply be refurbished for

extended service life.

Block III —

new sting in the tail

With its origins in the Advanced Super

Hornet concept that was  rst revealed

in August 2013, the Block III upgrade is a

An F/A-18F of
VFA-211 ‘Fighting
Checkmates’ breaks
hard above the
Nimitz-class aircraft
carrier USS Harry
S. Truman (CVN 75)
during a change of
command ceremony.
US Navy/MCS3C
Rebekah A. Watkins

The initial phase of SLM is about modifying

the interior structure — replacing worn

components. Over time, items such as

hydraulics and electronics will be improved

as well. Brad Elward

http://www.combataircraft.net // October 2018 47