Page 46 - Aviation News - September 2017

air and air-to-ground functions simultaneously.
A subsequent upgrade incorporated the
Distributed Targeting System (DTS) so the
aircraft can hit moving ground targets.
Block I Super Hornets were equipped
with the AN/ALR-67 radar warning receiver
(RWR), AN/ALE-47 countermeasures
dispenser system (CDS) and an Integrated
Defensive Countermeasures (IDECM) system
comprising the AN/ALQ-165 Airborne Self-
Protection Jammer (ASPJ) and the AN/ALE-
50 RF towed countermeasures decoy. The
Block II’s IDECM systems were replaced with
This Block II F/A-18F operated by VFA-2 carries a pair of laser-guided training rounds on a the AN/ALQ-214 Onboard Jammer (OBJ) and
multiple ejector rack (MER). US Navy/Airman Courtney Leavitt AN/ALE-55 bre optic towed decoy.
Although the legacy Hornet’s defensive
systems include the AN/ALQ-126 Defensive
Electronic Countermeasures (DECM) suite, it
will be replaced by a variant of the ALQ-214.
Additionally, the jets are being retro tted with
the latest version of the ALR-67.
UPGRADES
The F/A-18 eet is monitored thorough the
Service Life Management Programme (SLMP)
and analysis is conducted under the Service
Life Assessment Programme (SLAP).
Structural modi cations extend the
Hornets’ service life to 8,000 hours and a
An F/A-18A+ assigned to VFA-87 ‘Golden Warriors’ conducts a full afterburner take-off from the Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP) will
carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. It is equipped with AIM-9X missiles on the wingtip rails and see 150 ‘hand-selected’ F/A-18C/Ds y 10,000
carries a centreline fuel tank. US Navy/MC2 Michael Cole
hours. The rst Hornets to undergo SLEP
ground stations, so the aircraft can now colour multifunction display (MFD), an engine/ were delivered in 2016. A similar programme
support non-traditional intelligence, fuel display and a monochrome Up-Front will extend the Super Hornet’s service life from
surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and Control Display (UFCD). It was also equipped 6,000 to 9,000 hours.
close air support (CAS) missions. with the AN/USQ-140 Multifunctional As part of a plan to keep the F/A-18A
Although the ATFLIR was integrated Information Distribution System (MIDS) for operationally relevant, the US Navy modi ed
with US Navy legacy Hornets, the Marine Link 16 jam-resistant, secure digital voice and 61 aircraft to the A+ con guration, with
Corps ghters use AN/AAQ-28 LITENING AT data communications. upgraded APG-65 or AN/APG-73 radar and
targeting pods, which were rst elded in 2004. The Super Hornet was the rst naval avionics. Subsequently 54 F/A-18A+ aircraft
Reconnaissance capable F/A-18D(RC) ghter to receive the Joint Helmet Mounted were upgraded to an equivalent F/A-18C
models, operated by the USMC, can be Cueing System (JHMCS), which provides capability under the designation F/A-18A++.
equipped with the palletised AN/ASD-10 multi-purpose aircrew situational awareness, Another plan to bring 30 low-time, early-
Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance including high-off-boresight cueing of the AIM- production F/A-18Cs to a C+ con guration for
System (ATARS) that is installed in the nose 9X air-to-air missile. MIDS and JHMCS have the Marines will be completed in 2019. This
bay of the aircraft in place of the M61 cannon. both since been integrated with the legacy will provide digital communications, MIDS,
The sensor suite consists of a low-altitude Hornet. Link 16 data link, colour cockpit displays,
electro-optical sensor (LAEO), a medium- Although the USN elded two-seat Tactical Aircraft Moving Map Capability
altitude electro-optical sensor (MAEO), an F/A-18Fs to operational squadrons, like the (TAMMAC), AN/ALE-47, the SJU-17 Naval
infrared line scanner (IRLS), two digital earlier F/A-18B/D, it was originally intended Aircrew Common Ejection Seat (NACES) and
recorders and a pod-mounted datalink. It was as a trainer and the aft cockpit of the Block I the JHMCS along with the ability to carry the
rst deployed in support of Operation Allied versions replicated the systems installed in latest G4 version of the AN/AAQ-28 targeting
Force in May 1999. the front. Apart from those ‘F’ models used for
Unlike the US Navy’s legacy Hornets which pilot training, the two-seaters, like the USMC
do not have a reconnaissance capability, the F/A-18Ds, cannot be own from the aft cockpit
Super Hornet is compatible with the Raytheon and the control stick and throttles are replaced
AN/ASD-12 Shared Reconnaissance Pod by two HCUs.
(SHARP). First deployed in 2003 this high- Block II Super Hornets were equipped
resolution, digital tactical air reconnaissance with a digital video map computer, advanced
system features advanced day/night and all- mission computers and displays (AMC&D)
weather capability. upgrades, and the rear cockpit of the F/A-18F
Carried on the centreline station, the high- gained an Advanced Crew Station (ACS) that
resolution, multi-sensor pod provides near featured a large 8 x 10in (20.3 x 25.4cm) aft
real-time dual-band electro-optical/infrared seat multi-purpose display (AMPD) as well as
(EO/IR) medium- and high-altitude standoff two 5 x 5in (12.7 x 12.7cm) colour advanced
imagery. multi-purpose displays (AMPDs) and two
When the Super Hornet entered new HCUs. Incorporation of the AESA radar
production, its avionics systems shared allowed the front and redesigned aft cockpits
around 90% commonality with the F/A-18C. to be decoupled. This capability enables the
Changes to the cockpit incorporated a new pilot and WSO to independently conduct air-to-

46 Aviation News incorporating Jets September 2017

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