Command of the US Navy approved the financing of the modernization program for F / A-18 Super Hornet aircraft
On June 10, Popular Mechanics reported that the US Navy Command approved the financing of the Block III program for the F / A-18E / F Super Hornet aircraft.
According to the agreement signed with the corporation Boeing, the US Navy will update its entire fleet of multi-purpose F / A-18E / F Super Hornet fighters. The contract was signed for five years, the total cost of works is estimated at $ 264.9 million, the first modernized aircraft will be back in operation in 2019.
As part of the contract, it is planned to modernize the aircraft already in service with the US Navy. In addition, in December last year, the US Department of Defense announced its intention to order 70 new Super Wet Wear to cover the deficit of the Navy and Marine Corps decks.
However, according to the Bloomberg news agency, the order can be increased to 100-140 aircraft of the newest modification of Block III, since the F-35C Lightning II carrier fighter is "delayed" until at least 2018. Even if the F-35C takes up combat duty next year, the pace of its production will not allow timely close the "gap" that is formed after the write-off of the old Super Hornet aircraft.
The updated Super Hornet will have seven differences from the previous modification (Block II). The upgraded aircraft will receive conformal fuel tanks that hold more fuel and have less airflow resistance than the currently used suspension models. According to Boeing, with new tanks, the range of Super Hornet fighters will increase by almost 300 km. The second significant difference was the new IRST (infrared search and track) sensor - the Lockheed Martin's IRST21 sensor was installed on the plane, which improves situational awareness of the pilot and allows to detect threats at a much greater distance.
The third innovation was the new computer and data exchange system, the fourth was the new RCS system (Radar Cross Section), the installation of which required a change in the shape of the nose part of the aircraft, but allowed to improve the operation of the angle of attack sensors. The fifth improvement was the installation of a large touch screen, which displays the data required for the pilot. Two more changes are still secret.
On June 10, Popular Mechanics reported that the US Navy Command approved the financing of the Block III program for the F / A-18E / F Super Hornet aircraft.
According to the agreement signed with the corporation Boeing, the US Navy will update its entire fleet of multi-purpose F / A-18E / F Super Hornet fighters. The contract was signed for five years, the total cost of works is estimated at $ 264.9 million, the first modernized aircraft will be back in operation in 2019.
As part of the contract, it is planned to modernize the aircraft already in service with the US Navy. In addition, in December last year, the US Department of Defense announced its intention to order 70 new Super Wet Wear to cover the deficit of the Navy and Marine Corps decks.
However, according to the Bloomberg news agency, the order can be increased to 100-140 aircraft of the newest modification of Block III, since the F-35C Lightning II carrier fighter is "delayed" until at least 2018. Even if the F-35C takes up combat duty next year, the pace of its production will not allow timely close the "gap" that is formed after the write-off of the old Super Hornet aircraft.
The updated Super Hornet will have seven differences from the previous modification (Block II). The upgraded aircraft will receive conformal fuel tanks that hold more fuel and have less airflow resistance than the currently used suspension models. According to Boeing, with new tanks, the range of Super Hornet fighters will increase by almost 300 km. The second significant difference was the new IRST (infrared search and track) sensor - the Lockheed Martin's IRST21 sensor was installed on the plane, which improves situational awareness of the pilot and allows to detect threats at a much greater distance.
The third innovation was the new computer and data exchange system, the fourth was the new RCS system (Radar Cross Section), the installation of which required a change in the shape of the nose part of the aircraft, but allowed to improve the operation of the angle of attack sensors. The fifth improvement was the installation of a large touch screen, which displays the data required for the pilot. Two more changes are still secret.
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