Super Hornet takes flight
AUSTRALIA’S much-awaited F/A-18F Super Hornet has taken its first flight in the United States. The 1-hour flight from St Louis follows the recent unveiling of the first of 24 aircraft to be based at RAAF Base Amberley from March next year. "The remaining Super Hornets, each equipped with the Raytheon-built APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, will be progressively delivered to the RAAF throughout the remainder 2010 and 2011," said Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science. "The Super Hornets will aid the transition to a mature Joint Strike Fighter capability while allowing the Air Force to retire the F-111 fleet. "The total program investment is approximately $6 billion over 10 years, which includes acquisition and all support costs including facilities, training and personnel." Mr Combet congratulated the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and Boeing for progressing the project on schedule and on budget. Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner, meanwhile, has described the Super Hornet as "a true multi-role fighter that spans the air combat spectrum, including maritime strike which is so vital for Australia." "The Government’s decision last year to pre-wire 12 of the planned 24 aircraft for potential conversion to an electronic attack variant will add extra sting and capability to our Super Hornets," he added.
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