Stealth F 18 - 'Super Duper' Hornets - Meet US Navy F 18 Block-III Fighters and Rafales 'Out of Competition' for Indian Navy Deal

As the Indian Navy prepares to acquire a jet-based combat vehicle, US defense giant Boeing seems confident that its F/A-18E Super Hornets Block III/3 variant will take France's Dassault Rafale out of the running.

Stealth F 18

Stealth F 18

Both the F/A-18 and Rafale-M fighters are competing as contract operators from India's 40,000ton indigenous carrier (IAC). Vikrant's carrier is scheduled to be commissioned in August.

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The multi-part procurement program for India Aircraft (MRCBF) aims to procure 57 naval combat aircraft to be deployed with the Vikrant. India currently operates the MiG-29K from the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier, which is due to be rolled out by 2034.

Alain Garcia, president of business development for India, Boeing Defense, Space and Security and Global Services, which has flown the Super Hornet for the US Navy, earlier said that the variant of the company was suitable for India, emphasizing the importance of the III designation. . to generate an image of an imperial uniform.

For nearly 40 years, the McDonnell Douglas F-18 multirole fighter has served the US Navy. Several variants of the F-18 have been released over four decades to stay current and competitive, each iteration more advanced than the last.

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F 18 Advanced Super Hornet

The original Block I "Hornet" was a fourth-generation fighter that entered service in 1984 after being designed in the 1970s. The Block II "Super Hornet" was delivered in 2005, and last year the US Navy took delivery of the Block III. called the "Super Duper Hornet".

Block 3 is offered to the Indian Navy and to demonstrate its capabilities the Indian Navy has set up the INS Hansa testing facility in Goa later this month. In early January, the Dassault Rafale tested the same capability.

One of Boeing's most notable goals would be to demonstrate that the F/A-18E can operate with the STOBAR (Short Takeoff At Arrested Recovery) equipment installed on Indian aircraft carriers.

Stealth F 18

During the SBTF's 283m ski jump, the aircraft will perform a sequence of maneuvers, touchdowns and flights and landings. Ski ramps similar to those found on the set of Indian movies inspired the vehicles.

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The F/A-18E has been extensively modeled and tested, according to Garcia, to validate its performance as an aircraft vehicle equipped with a stowage system.

Although Boeing India has heaped praise on its aircraft and positioned it as an ideal vehicle for the Indian Navy, it is worth examining what the F/A-18 "super" option can do for the Indian Navy.

The carrier-based F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornets are designed for high-load, mission-critical operations. According to Boeing, it has a reasonable cost in terms of flight hours and requires minimal support equipment, keeping mission availability high.

The F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet can act as a force multiplier for the Indian Navy to compete with assets like the P-8I.

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While the Gallus II cockpit had a kaleidoscope of displays and gauges, the Lock III cockpit has been simplified with the Advanced Cockpit System, which is a basic (and customizable) 1019-inch touchscreen.

The integrated display in the cockpit is optimized to help the pilot access more information faster. The new cockpit is easier to operate, giving the pilot a better "feeling" of combat space.

Block III is constructed with enhanced features to aid in intelligence gathering and distribution when intelligence sharing becomes the standard for combat equipment.

Stealth F 18

The Tactical Technology Network (TTNT) data link will allow Block III to share information. Although the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter remains the most advanced system in terms of network capabilities, the Block III F-18 marks a significant upgrade over the Block II.

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Despite its smaller radar cross section, Block III lacks stealth. Boeing engineers, however, tried to make the III barrier more difficult to "close". Enemy aircraft or surface-to-air missiles may be able to see Block III, but a weapon of this type is already acquiring and will engage Block III.

The life of Block III is 66% longer than Block II. The Block 3 is expected to last 10,000 flight hours compared to the Block 2 variant, which is only rated for 6,000 hours. A longer lifespan, of course, reduces costs and adapts to a combat force that is prone to endless combat operations.

Block III, which was designed with China in mind, not only has a larger scope, but also has greater capabilities than its predecessor.

In the event of a conflict between the United States and China, the Clause III will be able to conduct strikes against Chinese targets while staying beyond the reach of China's hypersonic anti-aircraft missiles - thanks to its compliant shoulder blades that reduce distracting forces. . 3,500 pounds of fuel to carry.

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The Block II variant, or F-35, would therefore require American carriers to suspend missions and fire off Chinese missiles, which would pose an unacceptable threat to the United States. However, the Block 3 variant of Super Hornets addresses this issue.

Boeing India has developed a unique module system to make the proposal more attractive to the Indian military and industry.

At first glance, this program seems to reinforce India's 'Make in India' objective, which supports the country's domestic manufacturing industries and helps its micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Stealth F 18

Boeing releases video of an F/A-18 Super Hornet successfully performing a ski jump launch. He says it demonstrates the compatibility of the Block III Super Hornet with Indian Navy carriers. pic.twitter.com/KHmrxy6o59 — Manu Pubby (@manupubby) December 21, 2020

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To match Indian standards, the Super Hornet's ability to fly from a "ski jump" ramp was demonstrated by Boeing and the Navy in December 2020, demonstrating the aircraft's readiness for Indian transport.

Super Hornets have already proven their competitiveness with the Navy and the Australian Air Force and would be a tremendous force multiplier for any military.

With Boeing's proposal being attracted, the Indian Navy will have to undergo a major experiment as to which fighter - the Rafale-Marine or the Super Crabron Vikrant will suit it best.

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