F/A-18F Super Hornet Fighter
The Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet gives Australia an upgraded air combat capability for both air-to-air and air-to-ground mission until the full introduction into service of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Twenty-four Super Hornets have replaced the F-111 at Nos 1 and 6 Squadrons at RAAF Base Amberley.
The Super Hornets are larger than the classic model with many detail improvements. The aircraft's increased wing area allows them to carry more stores further on their extra hardpoints. They are most easily recognised by their rectangular engine air takes.
The Super Hornet is operated by
- No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland
- No. 6 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland
A timeline for the transition from F-111 to F/A-18F.
| 03 March 2007 |
The Australian Government announced the acquisition of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets and signed the purchasing contract in May 2007. |
| 05 Aug 2008 |
No. 1 Squadron cease F-111 operations. All F-111 operations were performed solely by No. 6 Squadron. |
| 26 March 2010 |
The first five F/A-18F Super Hornets arrived in Australia. |
| 06 July 2010 |
Six F/A-18F Super Hornets arrived in Australia. |
| 03 December 2010 |
The F-111 retired from service. |
| 07 December 2010 |
Four F/A-18F Super Hornets arrived in Australia. The fleet includes the first three of Australia's Super Hornets to be configured to accommodate the Growler electronic attack system. |
| 14 July 2011 |
Three F/A-18F Super Hornets arrived in Australia. |
| 3 August 2011 |
Two F/A-18F Super Hornets arrived in Australia. |
| 21 October 2011 |
Four F/A-18F Super Hornets arrive in Australia, completing the fleet of 24 jets for Nos 1 and 6 Squadrons. |
Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet technical specifications
| Manufacturer |
Boeing |
| Role |
Multi-role fighter |
| Crew |
Two |
| Engine |
Two low-bypass F414-GE-400 turbofans (9,800kg thrust each) |
| Airframe |
Length: 18.3m, height: 4.9m |
| Wingspan |
13.6m |
| Weight |
13,387kg basic, 29,900kg maximum take-off weight |
| Speed |
Mach 1.6 (1,960km/h) |
| Range |
- Ferrying 2,700km (without refuelling)
- Interdiction over 1,000km
- Combat radius 740km
|
| Ceiling |
Above 50,000 feet |
| Weapons |
- AIM-120 AMRAAM active radar guided missiles
- AIM-7 Sparrow radar-guided long-range missiles
- AIM-9 Sidewinder infra-red seeking missiles
- Harpoon anti-ship missiles
- conventional and laser-guided bombs
- M61 20mm nose-mounted cannon
|
| Avionics |
- Hughes APG-79 multi-mode radar
- GPS
- inertial navigation system
- VHF omni-directional range/instrument landing system
- two mission computers
- head-up cockpit display
- multi-functional cathode ray tube displays
|
