Boeing Pushes F/A-18 Developments

By: Chris Pocock

May 19, 2009
Defense

Boeing is making further improvements to the F/A-18E/F, and evaluating a more powerful version of the Super Hornet’s GE F414 powerplants. A new core and a new fan that could deliver 20 percent more thrust are under investigation by Boeing and General Electric. Boeing F/A-18 program manager Bob Gower said that no change to the aircraft’s inlets would be required to increase mass flow. The core has already run in a test cell. The move is aimed at boosting international sales, and India could be the main target for the enhanced powerplant. Meanwhile, a less ambitious set of F414 improvements that would reduce fuel consumption and increase durability are already under contract to the U.S. Navy. 

The Navy has also signed up for an infrared search and track (IRST) system that is expected to enter service in 2013. The Lockheed Martin system is added to the front of the F/A-18’s centerline tank and is already flying on a development aircraft at NAS Patuxent River. It provides a completely passive form of target location and identification, noted Gower. He added that the sensor still has an adequate field-of-view, despite the unusual location.

According to Gower, Boeing has devised an “airborne electronic roadmap” that could meld some capabilities of the dedicated EA-18G Growler version with the F/A-18E/F. It would also exploit the electronic attack potential of the aircraft’s APG-79 AESA radar. The company will brief more details on this roadmap at the upcoming Paris Air Show.

Back

Korea’s Surion Helicopter Flies March 15, 2010 Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) flew the prototype of its Surion utility helicopter for the first time on March 10. Flown by two pilots and... [more]
QF-16 Target Program Launched March 15, 2010 For many years the U.S. Air Force has operated a fleet of surplus Phantom IIs as QF-4s in the full-scale aerial target role (FSAT). Under... [more]
Evergreen supports UAV team mapping Haitian Relief March 01, 2010 Evergreen Helicopters is flying in unmanned systems teams using an Elbit Systems Skylark I mini man-pack UAV to map Haitian relief. The small... [more]
Brazil picks Rafale for French ‘strategic alliance’ February 19, 2010 Brazil’s purchase of 36 new fighters has pitted the air force’s preference for the Saab Gripen, backed by a 10-month technical report, against a... [more]
IAI Reveals Tanker Proposal February 19, 2010 Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is proposing aerial tanker versions of business jets such as the Gulfstream G550. At the Singapore Airshow... [more]