Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

DEFEA 2023
  • News
  • Event News
    • DSEI Japan 2023
    • NAVDEX 2023
    • SNA 2023
    • Euronaval 2022
    • Indo Pacific 2022
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»Boeing’s F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet Takes First Flight
IMDEX Asia 2023
Boeing's FA-18 Block III Super Hornet Takes First Flight 1
This is the first of two F/A-18 Block III test jets headed to the U.S. Navy. Boeing picture.

Boeing’s F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet Takes First Flight

The first F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet test jet took its first flight at Boeing's factory in St. Louis, Missouri, the company announced today.

Xavier Vavasseur 04 Jun 2020

This is one of two F/A-18 Block III test jets that rolled out of final assembly in early May. The U.S. Navy will use these jets for carrier testing of Block III capabilities. Upgrades include the advanced cockpit system’s new 10-by-19 inch touchscreen display. Boeing is set to deliver the two test jets to the U.S. Navy in the coming weeks. Operational Block III jets will be delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2021.

The first flight of the next generation of #F18. Watch F287 – the first #SuperHornet Block III test jet – take to the skies. We will deliver two Block III test jets to the @USNavy in the coming weeks. pic.twitter.com/C7jHV5H6e2

— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) June 4, 2020

About F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet

Boeing received a whopping $4 Billion U.S. Navy contract in March last year for multi-year procurement of 78 F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet strike fighters (61 single-seat E and 17 two-seat F), delivered through 2024.

The Block III configuration adds capability upgrades that include enhanced network capability, longer range, reduced radar signature, an advanced cockpit system and an enhanced communication system. Boeing started converting existing Block II Super Hornets to Block III this year. The fighter’s life will be extended from 6,000 hours to 10,000 hours.

The Block III Super Hornet has shoulder mounted conformal fuel tanks. They can carry 3,500 pounds of additional fuel and they reduce drag, allowing the aircraft to operate longer, go faster and/or carry more weight.

Inside the cockpit, the advanced cockpit system has replaced the buttons and knobs, similar to a large tablet. The new 10-by-19 inch touchscreen display provides the pilot with the capability to see, track and target multiple long range targets generated by the common tactical picture.

The block II IRST will be able to detect threats at long range without having to depend on radar which may be jammed. The block II IRST will generate a multi-ship, common tactical picture at long range, allowing the Super Hornet to operate as a smart sensor node on the network.

Boeing's FA-18 Block III Super Hornet Takes First Flight 2
This is the first of two F/A-18 Block III test jets headed to the U.S. Navy. Boeing picture.
Block III Super Hornet Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet US Navy 2020-06-04
Tags Block III Super Hornet Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet US Navy
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More
DSEI Japan

Authors

Posted by : Xavier Vavasseur
Xavier is based in Paris, France. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT). Xavier has been covering naval defense topics for nearly a decade.

Related Articles

MQ-4C Triton Concludes U.S. 7th Fleet Deployment

MQ-4C Triton Concludes U.S. 7th Fleet Deployment

Naval News Staff 20 Mar 2023
The US Navy has completed a three-year deployment of the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton UAV in the Western Pacific.
USMC Commandant Envisions  Future of Amphibious Warships

USMC Commandant Envisions Future of Amphibious Warships

Aaron-Matthew Lariosa 10 Mar 2023
Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) General David Berger laid out how he envisions the future of Amphibious Warships at the U.S. Navy Amphibious Warship Congressional Forum.
Video: Interview with VADM Cooper on TF 59 Milestones, US 5th Fleet

Video: Interview with VADM Cooper on TF 59 Milestones, US 5th Fleet

Xavier Vavasseur 04 Mar 2023
Interview with US Navy Vice Admiral Brad Cooper on the latest milestones of Task Force 59 (TF 59) during IDEX 2023 in Abu Dhabi.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok