First Super Hornet delivered to US Navy

There is still some technical evidence to be provided, but after that the first F/A-18F Block III Super Hornet can be handed over to active US Navy units. At least the first sample of the series of 78 ordered aircraft was delivered to the Navy by Boeing in St. Louis/Missouri on 28 September. The Navy had already tested the single-seater and two-seater E/F versions a good year ago. In Block III configuration, these jets have a better range, reduced radar signature and an increased structural service life of the airframe (10,000 hours). The key features, however, are more powerful on-board computers with cross-sectionally faster internal and secure external data transmission as well as a touchscreen display almost as large as a DIN A3 sheet of paper (25 x 48 cm)! Problem solutions and displays are based on applications (apps) that are easy to modify and quick to install, so there is no need to completely rewrite and test new versions of programmes. The whole thing can be customised in both cockpit positions and adapted to the respective mission. Flying with a profile - for each individual!

In order to meet the Navy's modernisation requirements for the F/A-18, Boeing has set up two additional production lines for the conversion and retrofitting of the Block II units to the new standard in addition to the production line for the new Block III - after all, the entire programme has a 15-year horizon.