Aussies get last batch of Super Hornets. More to follow?

Aussies get last batch of Super Hornets. More to follow?

By Philip Ewing Friday, October 21st, 2011 8:52 am
Posted in International

Boeing announced Friday that it has completed delivery of its last batch of F/A-18F Super Hornets to the Royal Australian Air Force, on budget and “ahead of contract schedule,” in the company’s words. The Aussies were evidently pleased, per Boeing’s announcement:

The arrival at the base was marked by the four new Super Hornets joining 16 other RAAF F/A-18Fs for a dramatic 20-aircraft flyover.

“The Super Hornet provides a major advancement in capability for the RAAF and the entire Australian Defence Force,” said RAAF Group Capt. Steve Roberton, Officer Commanding 82 Wing. “The F/A-18F employs the world’s most advanced combat radar, ensuring our forces have a clear advantage in both technology and capability, whether conducting air, ground or maritime operations. “The Super Hornet’s ability to collect and seamlessly distribute information to our other platforms is proving to be invaluable as a true force multiplier,” Roberton added.


“Boeing made a commitment to the Royal Australian Air Force, and to the citizens and government of Australia, promising that these advanced Super Hornets would be ready to join the RAAF fleet on time and on budget,” said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “The men and women of Boeing are incredibly proud to have delivered on that promise.”

“The joint efforts between Australia’s Defence Materiel Organisation, the Royal Australian Air Force, the U.S. Navy and the Hornet Industry Team have been absolutely paramount in the success of this program,” said Carolyn Nichols, Australian Super Hornet program manager for Boeing. “With that success, these Super Hornets, and the advanced capabilities they deliver, are now ready to meet Australia’s defense requirements today and into the future.”

The Australian government announced plans in March 2007 to acquire 24 advanced Block II versions of the F model Super Hornet, which features a two-person cockpit. The first five RAAF Super Hornets arrived at Amberley on March 26, 2010. Today’s ceremony marks the fifth and final contracted RAAF Super Hornet delivery.

Did you catch that bit about the Super Hornet’s ability to “collect and seamlessly distribute information to our other platforms” — remind you of anything? It certainly sounds like the kind of game-changing advantage the Aussies are supposed to get from their F-35 Lightning IIs someday, though it could be years before they can stage a 20-aircraft flyover with those. Boeing’s announcement does not mention the F-35 or its standing sales pitch — that it can give you a very nice fighter today if you’re tired of waiting for the super fighter of tomorrow — but that’s clearly just beneath the surface here.

With this order complete and the Aussies happy, it might not be a surprise to see more rumbling in the press Down Under from analysts and politicians about whether Australia should continue as a member of Club F-35, given the relative success of the stopgap Super Hornets.

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STemplar October 21st, 2011 at 9:33 am

Certainly adds to pressure on the F35 program to perform, probably a good thing. I wish Boeing would roll out an example of this Block III Hornet with actual specs. I have yet to read anything other than general comments about what it could do.

BradM October 21st, 2011 at 12:51 pm

Considering the PAK FA and the J-20 are yet to be in production in their final combat ready configuration, the RAAF can wait a few more years for the F-35s and buy F/A-18F Super Hornets in the mean time.

yrreiht October 21st, 2011 at 1:48 pm

I’ve been told that the newest Russian fighters do have “the ability to collect and seamlessly distribute information to other platforms” as well.

BradM October 21st, 2011 at 1:58 pm

I wonder why what I said got me a thumbs down?! :) It seems like a wise decision to me. Buy the F/A-18F while they are ready and have 20+ of them vs 4th Gen Russian and Chinese fighters should be good for now. Of course having a 5th Gen fighter vs a 4th Gen fighter would be even better but not necessary right now or even next year. If the F-35s are ready for production in 3 years (2015) the PAK FA will start being produced in 2015 as well. The timing seems right to me. The J-20 probably won’t be in production until 2018–2020.

mike j October 21st, 2011 at 2:10 pm

You were guilty of showing insufficient zeal and enthusiasm for the F-35. According to fanboy dogma, you are therefore a heretic. Nothing must be allowed to take even a dime from the F-35! All hail F-35!

BradM October 21st, 2011 at 2:39 pm

What I said in my first post shouldn’t be construed that I meant the RAAF should buy any less F-35s than they were planning. The would have the F-35s in the quantity that they told LM they wanted plus more of the the F/A-18Fs as well. Should be a win-win :)

mike j October 21st, 2011 at 2:57 pm

Assuming they would have the budget, I guess so. I doubt anyone is going to have that kind of budget. Not to mention the problem of whether either of these aircraft is the best fit for Australia’s strategic requirement.

BradM October 21st, 2011 at 4:34 pm

From what I have been reading on RIA Novosti and The People’s Daily (English) the Russians and the Chinese are having no problems with their military spending budgets :)

ELP_ October 21st, 2011 at 4:41 pm

In 2004, the New Air Combat Capability Office (NACC) within Australian Defence briefed, “revert to open competition if the JSF not suitable”.

So much for that idea. The Boeing sales force–also the company that had the last sustainment contract for the F-111 since the 1990s–the fox telling the farmer the definition of a chicken–has pretty much gotten their nose under the tent. Unless the F-35 program makes some dramatic progress it will be an all Super Hornet force.

I predict that next year you will see a decision to pave the way for an order of single-seat E model Super Hornets to replace one of the legacy Hornet squadrons. And even with that, Defence will say they still support the F-35 program.

Funny as some years ago, a Defence official stated there wouldn’t be any more Super Hornet orders after these initial 24.

Since there really is no sound strategic thinking within senior Australian Defence circles, expect more confusion.

With that–appearances uber alles–these 24 Super Hornets are a huge warning shot to the faulty Defence procurement system in Australia. They came in on time and on budget; a rarity in these parts.

pfcem October 22nd, 2011 at 2:22 am

Because it would NOT be a wise decision.

pfcem October 22nd, 2011 at 2:29 am

The F-35 program HAS made dramatic progress!

mike j October 22nd, 2011 at 1:24 pm

^^^ See that, Brad? ^^^

No reason why, just because!

Robert A. Fritts October 22nd, 2011 at 4:45 pm

I guess you have to ask yourself when was the last time that a Russian or Chinese equipped force attacked or threatened to attack OZ? Looking at history, that would be never. By using the prevailant logic (if they could, they would), we can only summize that the two most endangered countries in the world are Mexico and Canada. Plus all the F-35 hoopla on this page.

YOUNG October 23rd, 2011 at 6:05 am

Gillard the Australian communist PM is in bed with China and getting closer every day. look out for a J 20 with a red roo on the wings.

Cocidius October 23rd, 2011 at 1:51 pm

The China that we are facing today it quite a different beast then what we’ve faced in the past. With a resource hungry population of over a billion people and growing Oz would be quite a nice place to take for their future needs.

Further we need to ask ourselves why China is in such a rush to build a large blue water navy and so many new weapons systems that are offensive in nature?

Add in the aggressive behavior we’ve seen in recent years towards neighbor nations from China and I’d say Australia needs to look carefully at building a strong military for the future.

VTGunner October 23rd, 2011 at 8:40 pm

Enough with your paid endorsements already!!!

pfcem October 23rd, 2011 at 9:58 pm

The reason why has been stated several times.

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