Boeing delievered First Two F/A-18 Super Hornet Block-III to US Navy

According to information released by the U.S. Navy on June 17, 2020, the U.S. Navy got its next-generation multi-mission tactical fighter by taking delivery of the first two Block III F/A-18 Super Hornet for Trials. The aircraft has developed with improved lethality, survivability, interoperability and sustainability in an evolving threat environment.

US Navy First F/A-18 Super Hornet Block-III. Boeing

Like every aircraft slated for the fleet, Boeing has produced two-seat (F287) and single-seat (E323) models will now undergo comprehensive testing. At Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX-23) will perform shore-based carrier testing and focus mainly on the hardware and aeromechanical aspects of test with the F model.

"At VX-31 (Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake), California, teams will examine software functionality and network architecture", Capt. M. Burks (F/A-18 E/F deputy program manager).

He added that once testing is complete at VX-23, the two-seated model will ferry to VX-31 to complete Block III flight testing.

While the jet’s exterior appearance is largely unchanged, Block III’s increased service life from 6,000 to 10,000 flight hours and reduced radar signature are accompanied by a new avionics suite that brings the Common Tactical Picture into the cockpit.

The Advanced Cockpit System, with large touchscreen displays (size 10x9 inch) for improved user interface and more powerful computing through the Distributed Targeting Processor Network and Tactical Targeting Network Technology for the aircrew. F/A-18 & EA-1G Program Manager (PMA-265) Capt. Jason Denney recalled Block III started as an unconventional acquisition program in support of maintaining improved aviation readiness and speed to the fleet initiatives as the Navy revamped its roadmap.

After leveraging nearly two decades' worth of cost and production data, the award-winning NAVAIR contracts team was able to expeditiously award a roughly $4 billion multiyear procurement contract to Boeing in March 2019. Through the contract Boeing has to provide 78 new aircraft @ 26 aircraft each year till 2023.

The first squadron deployment of Block III Super Hornet is anticipated in mid-2023, with a plan to upgrade the existing 573 Super Hornet's to Block-III models.