Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet ‘Ready’ For Indian Navy As It Clears ‘Ski-Jump’ Test
Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet deal with the Indian Navy could be on track. The US aerospace giant and the US Navy have proved that the F/A-18 Super Hornet can operate from a “ski jump” ramp, demonstrating the fighter jet’s suitability for India’s aircraft carriers.
The
demonstrations, held at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD, show that the
Super Hornet would do well with the Indian Navy’s Short Takeoff but Arrested
Recovery (STOBAR) system and validate earlier simulation studies by Boeing, the
company claims.
“The first
successful and safe launch of the F/A-18 Super Hornet from a ski-jump begins
the validation process to operate effectively from Indian Navy aircraft
carriers,” said Ankur Kanaglekar, Head India Fighters Sales, Boeing Defense,
Space, and Security, during a webinar on Monday (December 21).
STOBAR is a
system used for the launch and recovery of a fighter jet from the deck of an
aircraft carrier. The system combines the elements of Short Take-Off and
Vertical Landing (STOVL) with Catapult-Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery
(CATOBAR).
The demonstration
is clearly a major step forward for India’s acquisition of the F/A-18 Block III
Super Hornet fighter jets, the advanced version of the F-18 fighters. Over the
years, the Hornets have proved their mettle and are considered one of the most
competent 4th generation jets.
The
twin-engine, multirole, carrier-capable Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter is a
variant of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. As per Boeing, the Hornets have
earned a reputation of being among the most lethal, advanced, combat-proven,
multi-role frontline fighters in service today.
The Super
Hornet possesses the ability to carry air-to-air missiles as well as
air-to-surface weapons, while also possessing an internal 20mm M61 rotary
cannon that helps it to carry the missiles.
According
to Boeing Defense India (BDI), the Block III variants have the ability to
perform in virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum.
These
include air superiority, day/night strike with precision guided-weapons,
fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defense, maritime
strike, reconnaissance, forward air control, and buddy refueling.
Speaking at
a webinar on Monday, Kanaglekar said,
“The F/A-18 Block III Super
Hornet will not only provide superior warfighting capability to the Indian Navy
but also create opportunities for cooperation in naval aviation between the
United States and India,”
“The F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet will offer unrivaled growth potential to the Indian Navy through single and two-seater carrier compatible variants and the ability to interface with the P-8I as a force multiplier.”
As per
Boeing, the Block III Super Hornets have low acquisition and maintenance costs.
Moreover, the Indian Navy will benefit from the multi-billion-dollar
investments made by the US Navy and several international customers, towards
the new technologies of the fighter jets.
The
technologies stated by Boeing are — advanced network technology, longer range
and low-drag with conformal fuel tanks, long-range detection with Infrared
Search & Track, enhanced situational awareness with a new Advanced Cockpit
System, improved signature reduction, and a 10,000+ hour life.
As part of
the aircraft company’s proposed “By India, for India” sustainment program, the
Block III Super Hornets can be serviced in partnership with the Indian Navy as
well as India and US-based partners throughout the lifecycle of the aircraft.
This will
in turn further contribute towards developing expertise in aircraft maintenance
in India, which will lead to higher availability of the plane, at competitive
pricing as well as a reduced risk for the Indian Navy.
The Indian
Navy has not made any official statements yet.
