Super Hornet - Get Your Wings

The recently arrived 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 F35 Lightning II Joint Strike Figher (JSF). Twenty-four Super Hornets have recently replaced the F111’s at Nos 1 and 6 Squadrons at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland. The introduction of Super Hornets minimises the risk of a possible future capability gap if the JSF program were to fall behind schedule.

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 hard points. 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.