F/A-18F Super Hornet Fighter

The Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet will give Australia an upgraded air combat capability for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions until the full introduction into service of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Twenty-four Super Hornets will replace the F-111s at Nos 1 and 6 Squadrons at RAAF Base Amberley from 2010.

The introduction of Super Hornets minimises the risk of a possible future capability gap if the JSF program were to fall behind schedule. It also allows the F-111s to be retired at a time of our choosing.

The original Hornet was developed for the US Navy and Marine Corps and has been a very successful aircraft, including over 20 years exemplary service with the Royal Australian Air Force. The US Navy took delivery of its first Super Hornet in 1999. Super Hornets are larger than the original models with many detail improvements. Their increased wing area allows them to carry more stores further on their extra hardpoints. They are most easily recognised by their rectangular engine air intakes.

Super Hornets give the Air Force a relatively easy upgrade path, given our experience with Hornet maintenance and two-crew operations with both Hornets and F-111s.

Related links

• Super Hornet acquisition media release, Minister for Defence, 6 March 2007
• Super Hornet acquisition media gallery, Department of Defence
• Boeing Super Hornet website

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