F-18 Advanced Super Hornet

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,502
Likes
16,946
Country flag
@WolfPack86 Without CATOBAR on INS Vikramaditya, using F 18 would be useless.

I found this article mentioning that F-18 Super Hornet can be used on STOBAR aircraft carrier with litte modifications.
Now Navy wants Super Hornets too
It Is now sufficiently clear that the Indian Navy wants to be able to use the air force’s assets of war. In a revelation so far kept under wraps, the Navy has asked Boeing a contender for India’s $10-billion tender for 126 air force fighters if the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet can operate off the INS Vikramaditya, the rechristened Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov currently being refurbished in Russia for the Indian Navy. None of the fighters in the IAF’s existing fleet have the capability to operate from the deck of an aircraft carrier.

Boeing’s campaign manager for the Indian deal Michael E. Rietz has revealed that after detailed simulations conducted at the company’s test centres, the Super Hornet on offer to India, can in fact operate off the Gorshkov. The significance of Boeing’s finding lies in the fact that the Super Hornet – which by default is launched using a steam-powered catapult on American super-carriers – has never before been known to be able to take off from an angled ski-jump – the launch mechanism on India’s sole aircraft carrier INS Virat, as well as the Gorshkov and the under-construction indigenous aircraft carrier.

Rietz told HT at Lemoore, which holds half of the US Navy’s striking power in the Pacific, “In our simulation, we discovered that not only could the Super Hornet take-off from a ski-jump, but could do so with a significant weapons load.” Landing the Super Hornet on the Gorshkov would pose no problem since the warship comes equipped with an arrester cable. The 16 MiG-29K fighters that will come with the Gorshkov will land using this “trap” method.


A typical scenario illustrates the import of the newly identified ability. A Super Hornet flying with the air force from a shore base can fly hundreds of kilometres over the sea, then land on an aircraft carrier, refuel and proceed onward. The reach advantage it would give the aircraft is something the air force has only envisaged with mid-air refuellers so far. Aircraft carriers, by their very nature, can obviously stay out at sea for far longer.

In 2004, the Navy had sent out a request for information to another American firm Northrop Grumman about whether the latter’s carrier-based airborne early warning and control aircraft, the E-2 Hawkeye, could operate off the Gorshkov. However, plans to procure the aircraft in a ship-based role have since

been shelved.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...hornets-too/story-4NE3rf4jBNP6qJQsmaTlFP.html
 
Last edited:

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,502
Likes
16,946
Country flag
It’s Official: Indian Navy Wants 57 Carrier-borne Fighters
It’s been in the air for two years now. And now it’s formal. The Indian Navy wants new fighter jets for its aircraft carriers. Today, the navy’s planning wing has published a request for information to support the purchase of 57 Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters (MRCBF) for its aircraft carriers.

Only weeks ago, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba had rung the death knell on India’s indigenous LCA Navy, putting all doubts to rest about whether the platform would ever see carrier service. With today’s RFI, the Indian Navy has taken a tangible step that solidifies what has only been largely in the realm of speculation thus far, in addition to dispelling the MiG-29K’s chance of being a mainstay multirole fighter element for the navy stepping into the future.

On paper, the navy says, “The MRCBF are intended as day and night capable, all weather multi-role deck based combat aircraft which can be used for Air Defence (AD), Air to Surface Operations, Buddy Refuelling, Reconnaissance, EW missions etc from IN aircraft carriers.” In one of its most comprehensive RFIs for a fighter to date, the navy spreads a battery of questions on configuration over 55 pages with sub-sections, making it generally clear that it is looking for a new generation fighter with a significant electronic warfare capability, endurance and payload (something it hits several walls on with the MiG-29K fleet). Fifty-seven is a solid number of planes, so it isn’t a surprise that the MoD is ‘desirous’ of license production of the aircraft under a technology transfer arrangement.

To answer the first question that pops up, no, the navy hasn’t provided any indications of the kind of fighter it wants, and thus provides no hints about the launch configuration it is moving towards on carriers beyond the new Vikrant-class. While the first Vikrant, being completed at the Cochin Shipyard, will sport a conventional ski jump based STOBAR layout, the navy is yet to decide on whether the follow on ships will sport a CATOBAR (steam or EMALS is way out from this decision) configuration. The Indian Navy’s RFI specifically asks vendors to specify if the platforms they field are capable of either CATOBAR or STOBAR launch with arrested recoveries.

Livefist spoke to Admiral (Retd) Arun Prakash, former Navy chief, veteran fighter pilot and part of the original crew that ferried British Sea Harriers to India decades ago. He said, “Presumably, the Navy HQ are in the midst of (belatedly) freezing the configuration of IAC-2, which is entirely dependent on the type(s) of aircraft that will operate from it. One of the overriding compulsions for the IN is to have on-board Airborne Early Warning (AEW) for its carrier force. The Ka-31 is just not good enough and they must be looking for the E-2C – which can operate only from a CATOBAR ship. On the other hand, if IAC-2 is to operate the Tejas and MiG-29K, it will have to have a ski-jump and no catapult (hence no AEW). If the IAF Tejas has not got its FOC yet, the naval Tejas may take another 6-7 years. A BIG IF here is the availability of a powerful enough engine for this overweight aircraft. Also, the hook and undercarriage may need re-design. With all these uncertainties, one can’t blame the IN for jettisoning the Tejas – one hopes for the time being.”

Asked what he would do if he was still in service — if the navy should go the CATOBAR way or stay with STOBAR –, the Admiral chose the former, but stipulated that propulsion would still need to be sorted out, when conflated with other (AEW) requirements.

The field of play isn’t very big, but let’s be generous and look at technically what it’s like at this time:

  1. Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: CATOBAR The Super Hornet has a major Make-in-India bid going that looks to feed a prospective Indian Air Force requirement. As part of Washington’s wider technological CATOBAR push in India, Boeing’s offering gains. On the other hand, Boeing is on record to say it has simulated STOBAR ski-jump operations and that the Super Hornet is capable of operating from a Vikramaditya-class carrier.
  2. Dassault Rafale-M: CATOBAR The Rafale has type advantage. To be in service with at least two Indian Air Force squadrons, and the possibility of more at a later stage, the Rafale gets to push the commonality key. Cost, though, would be a pushback.
  3. Lockheed-Martin F-35C CATOBAR Lockheed has pushed the F-35B and C to the Indian Navy since at least 2010. It’s a single engine jet (something the US Navy was goaded into agreeing to during the JSF programme), but everything else it offers could enthuse the Indian Navy. Cost and development uncertainties/delays, on the other hand, will be a major pushback.
  4. Lockheed-Martin F-35B STOVL The only new jet that does the Harrier trick, it would offer enormous flexibility to small deck operations of the kind the Indian Navy may be interested in in the future, but may not account for much in the more conventional launch focus the navy appears to be choosing from for the follow-on Vikrant class ships. Cost and development issues will also hang heavy, if the platform is ever seriously under consideration.
  5. Saab Gripen Maritime STOBAR/CATOBAR PROPOSED Saab says the Gripen Maritime (known by its far niftier previous name ‘Sea Gripen’) is ready on paper and has been simmed in both CATOBAR and STOBAR configurations. Design work was completed in 2012, with Saab only really waiting for a fund tap from an interested customer to take the development forward. A single engine configuration works against it — the Indian Navy will be hard pressed to explain junking plans with the LCA Navy (and perhaps the up-engined Mk.2) for another albeit more capable single engine fighter.
  6. Mikoyan MiG-29K STOBAR The MiG-29K, it clear by now, has little chance of adding numbers in Indian inventory. A worthy fighter on a trusted platform, but it has run into several problems — not least that it doesn’t quite deliver what the Indian Navy needs from deck-based squadron, notably endurance. Other problems with the jet are well-documented, but the very fact that the Indian Navy has invested time, energy and a ton of funds on looking for new fighters means the MiG-29K is pretty much toast.
  7. LCA Tejas Navy Mk.2 STOBAR The LCA Navy Mk.2 remains a quandary, a variable. While the Indian Navy has specifically dumped the LCA Navy Mk.1 (powered by a F404 turbofan), it has said nothing specific about the up-engined LCA Navy Mk.2, to be powered by an F414. While development work is continuing, the Mk.2 won’t survive without the Indian Navy’s specific backing, unless it gets a government bailout to continue.
In the future, the Indian Navy will be looking towards the concept AMCA as a deck-based fighter too. The deck launch regime the Indian Navy chooses on its follow-on Vikrant-class ships will guide how that development works out. The AMCA, currently no more than a paper concept and a handful of wind-tunnel models, is a touchstone for how foreign companies are calibrating their offers to make their fighter jets in India.
http://www.livefistdefence.com/2017/01/its-official-indian-navy-wants-57-carrier-borne-fighters.html
 

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,502
Likes
16,946
Country flag
So F-18 can able to operate on INS Vikramaditya with some modifications
 

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,502
Likes
16,946
Country flag
Boeing In Talks With State Govt To Set up Manufacturing Facility

In a development that gives a big boost to the aviation industry in Karnataka, aerospace major Boeing is holding talks with the state government on setting up a new aircraft manufacturing facility near Bangalore.
Top officials of the state government held discussions with representatives of Boeing recently. Availability of land close to Bangalore, tax incentives and special packages the government can offer to the company were discussed. But nothing has been finalised yet, nor has the company submitted a formal proposal to the government on its investment plans, sources in the government said.
“We are holding talks with Boeing. The company has plans to set up a new manufacturing facility near Bangalore. Talks are still in preliminary stages,” Industries Minister R V Deshpande told DH. The minister, however, refused to divulge details on the company’s investment plans. Boeing recently launched its Engineering and Technology Center in Bangalore.
A few months ago, the US aircraft manufacturer had revealed that it was keen on investing in a new futuristic Indian factory under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The company had said that it wants to create an entire aviation ecosystem for building its fighter aircraft, F/A-18 Super Hornet.
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, multi-role fighter jet capable of landing and taking off from an aircraft carrier. But it is not clear whether the company is holding talks with the state government on establishing the factory near Bangalore.
AP Too Is Wooing
Sources in the Commerce and Industries department said that neighboring Andhra Pradesh is also wooing Boeing to invest there. Andhra Pradesh has been aggressive in attracting investments. But, the Karnataka government is not lagging behind in this regard. Karnataka has an edge over other states as Bangalore is an aviation hub, the sources added.
The sources said one of the reasons for the state government to hurriedly approve a proposal to relax land allotment rules for industrial purposes, is to compete with Andhra Pradesh in attracting Boeing. Projects coming in single unit complex bracket will get land on lease-cum-sale basis and absolute sale deed for the land will be issued to the investor after 15 years, as per the government’s decision.
Hitherto, land for industrial purposes was given only on 99 years lease. The Andhra Pradesh government has already simplified its land allotment rules.
http://www.indiandefensenews.in/2017/03/boeing-in-talks-with-state-govt-to-set.html
 

Flame Thrower

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2016
Messages
1,676
Likes
2,731
I'd say don't go for both Rafale or S/A Hornet....

There is no way that we can arm indigenous weapons...

LCA mk2 is coming anyway... let's use it...

Learn what are career based fighters can do...use that knowledge in fine tuning N-AMCA

If we are obliged to buy more rafales due to Kaveri program then it's ok... Else none...

Buying 57 fighters(with weapons, training, 10 yrs spares) will cost us close to 20 billion...

On top of that we can't arm it with Brahmos NG or Aastra or any future indigenous weapon systems....

I understand that MiG 29 has very low availability, can anyone tcompare what are the operational availabilities of SH & Rafale N...And their ability to sink ships too...

Enemy Naval commander will fear a MiG 29 with Brahmos NG than Rafale with Exocet or S/A Hornet with Harpoon latest block(anyone care to disagree)...
 

Blackwater

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2012
Messages
21,157
Likes
12,211
I'd say don't go for both Rafale or S/A Hornet....

There is no way that we can arm indigenous weapons...

LCA mk2 is coming anyway... let's use it...

Learn what are career based fighters can do...use that knowledge in fine tuning N-AMCA

If we are obliged to buy more rafales due to Kaveri program then it's ok... Else none...

Buying 57 fighters(with weapons, training, 10 yrs spares) will cost us close to 20 billion...

On top of that we can't arm it with Brahmos NG or Aastra or any future indigenous weapon systems....

I understand that MiG 29 has very low availability, can anyone tcompare what are the operational availabilities of SH & Rafale N...And their ability to sink ships too...

Enemy Naval commander will fear a MiG 29 with Brahmos NG than Rafale with Exocet or S/A Hornet with Harpoon latest block(anyone care to disagree)...


LCA 2 is coming anyway?? kon sa way uncle??



it is said ' There is a will ,there is a way but if there no will and skill how there will be any way??


:biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2:

:laugh::laugh::laugh:
 

Flame Thrower

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2016
Messages
1,676
Likes
2,731
LCA 2 is coming anyway?? kon sa way uncle??



it is said ' There is a will ,there is a way but if there no will and skill how there will be any way??


:biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2:

:laugh::laugh::laugh:
Tho Paaji aap kya keh rahe hai...

Are you saying there will be no NLCA mk2 or NLCA mk2 will be a day late dollar short similar to LCA MK1 to make any impact on IN...

What would you prefer Paaji

1. LCA MK2 with Brahmos
2. Rafale M with Exocet missile
3. S/A Hornet with Harpoon missile

Which is a deadly combination for Anti-Ship role...
 

Blackwater

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2012
Messages
21,157
Likes
12,211
Tho Paaji aap kya keh rahe hai...

Are you saying there will be no NLCA mk2 or NLCA mk2 will be a day late dollar short similar to LCA MK1 to make any impact on IN...

What would you prefer Paaji

1. LCA MK2 with Brahmos
2. Rafale M with Exocet missile
3. S/A Hornet with Harpoon missile

Which is a deadly combination for Anti-Ship role...
bhai please dont insult DRDO by saying LCA mk2 is coming

MK1 does not shown proper desired results. it was inducted to save izzat of IAF GOI,DRDO,HAL
 

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,502
Likes
16,946
Country flag
Boeing's Upgraded Super Hornet May Replace F-35 Fighters In US Navy's Fleet
 

WolfPack86

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2015
Messages
10,502
Likes
16,946
Country flag
Boeing's Upgraded Super Hornet May Replace F-35 Fighters In US Navy's Fleet
Boeing has offered a Block III upgrade for US Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornet fleet as a move to resolve shortfall of fifth generation F-35 fighter aircrafts.

The Super Hornets are considered as a cheaper alternative to the fifth-generation Lightning II. "The initial effort to close the strike fighter gap is through addressing “capacity and capability,” Dan Gillian, Boeing vice president and Super Hornet program manager was quoted as saying by Sea Power Tuesday.

"Boeing is building two new aircraft a month. It is also conducting sustainment for existing airplaines and new program of service-life modification to extend Super Hornets' operational life from 6000 hours to 9000 hours," Gilliona said.

"After analysis in coordination with the Navy and a detailed inspection of two aircraft, Boeing expects to start conducting the life-extension program early in 2018," said Mark Sears, program director.

The Navy has a strike fighter capacity problem because the Super Hornets have been flying a lot more than expected due to the 16 years of nearly constant combat in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, Gillian noted. That means the fighters are burning up their flight hours faster than expected.

But looking to the future, Boeing is proposing a major increase in capability through the Super Hornet Block III program, he said.

One goal of the Block III proposal is to make the Super Hornet “a smart node” in the Navy’s Integrated Fire Control Counter-Air (NIFC-CA) network, Gillian explained.

"They would do that by adding the distributed targeting network and the tactical targeting technology system, both of which are official programs of record," he said.

The first is “a big computer” and the second ‘is a big data pipe.” Gillian said they also think “we can do a little bit to improve its stealth capabilities. They also would install conformal fuel tanks that would extend the Hornet’s operating range by 120 nautical miles or 30 minutes on station, and make the aircraft faster by eliminating the underwing fuel tanks, he said.

They also think they can produce a 9,000-hour airplane off the production line, he added. The new aircraft also will have an advanced cockpit with larger displays and will incorporate the integrated infrared (IR) track-and-search system, a long-range, passive counter-air sensor.

Gillian said that IR sensor is a good example of Hornets proving “complementary capabilities” to the F-35s, because it is that no other aircraft in the carrier air wing has.

Boeing could start delivering Block III aircraft in the early 2020s, and then start retrofitting existing jets through the service life modification a little later.
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/18...F_35_Fighters_In_US_Navy_s_Fleet#.WOdAN2-GPIU
 

Doc Mozart

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Messages
172
Likes
237
Country flag
Will they offer the Growler? I don't think so. Pretty pointless to go for the hornet, if you'd ask me.
 

lcafanboy

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2013
Messages
5,776
Likes
36,928
Country flag
F-18 Jet From USS Carl Vinson Heading to N Korea Crashes Near Philippines
© Flickr/ U.S. Pacific Fleet


MILITARY & INTELLIGENCE

18:31 21.04.2017(updated 18:40 21.04.2017) Get short URL
72750363

According to the US Navy, a F/A-18E jet based on the US Carl Vinson aircraft carrier crashed near the Philippines.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — A pilot flying an F/A-18E combat aircraft ejected safely from his cockpit on landing approach to the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and was recovered unharmed by a helicopter rescue crew, the US Navy said in a press release on Friday.

"A pilot safely ejected and was quickly recovered by a helicopter assigned to [helicopter squadron] HSC-4 aboard USS Carl Vinson while conducting routine flight operations during a transit in the Celebes Sea," the release explained.

© REUTERS/ YONHAP
Heading Where? USS Carl Vinson Spotted Near Indonesia, Not Korean Peninsula

The incident took place in the Celebes Sea in the western Pacific. The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia border the body of water. The distance from the Celebes Sea to the South Korean port of Busan is about 2300 miles.


The incident occurred as the F/A-18E assigned to Carrier Air Wing 2 was on final approach to the Carl Vinson, the release explained.

The incident is under investigation and the pilot under review by the Carl Vinson's medical team.

After it turned out that the Carl Vinson deployed to deter North Korea did not reach the Sea of Japan reportedly because White House and Pentagon failed to communicate effectively and was spotted near Indonesia, it was reported that it will finally reach the Korean Peninsula later this month.


Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that an "armada" is heading to the Korean Peninsula's shores amid a tensions with North Korea had escalated.

https://sputniknews.com/military/201704211052862419-f18-carl-vinson-philippines/
 

Latest Replies

Global Defence

New threads

Articles

Top