F-18 Advanced Super Hornet

[Sancho]

What if Indian Navy selects F-18 advanced super hornet and HAL build 57 F-18 advanced super hornet if there is any chance numbers might reach to 100. Sancho.

That depends on additional on the state of the Migs, or when IAC 2 will be available. If the technical issues with the Migs caused by carrier operations increases, at a certain point they might be replaced early. Imo we should divert them as a gap filler to IAF anyway and order more F18s instead.
Also IAC 2 could have F18s as well, if IN wants to mix non stealth and stealth fighters, similar to USN, but that's a long shot.

 

[Sancho]

The F18 Block 3 is clearly cheaper, and should come between 73 and 78 million USD according to the report I posted before. So when you take the flyaway cost for IAFs Rafales for comparison and add a bit for the costlier naval version, you are at least 20 millions more expensive, most likely more.

Flyaway unit cost for the standard F18 E/F between 2016 and 2018, 61 to 70 million USD.
Flyaway unit cost for the F18 E/F Block 3, from to 2019 to 2022, 70 to 77 million USD.

 

[Sancho]

New Hornets carry a huge sting
6 February 2018

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft ordered by Kuwait last November will be delivered to the latest Block III standards, which transform the already impressive Super Hornet into a fully networked fighter, fit for service into the 2040s. Jon Lake reports.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency informed Congress of the potential $10.1 billion sale to Kuwait on November 17 last year.
Under the terms of the deal, it listed 32 single-seat F/A-18Es, and eight two-seat F/A-18Fs, together with their F414-GE-400 engines and spares.
Also included was AN/APG-79 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, AN/AAQ-33 Sniper advanced targeting pods and joint helmet-mounted cueing systems (JHMCS), and a range of other equipment items and weapons, as well as the required support and logistics services...

...The Block III configuration brings a range of enhancements and improvements, the most visually obvious of which lies in its ability to be fitted with conformal fuel tanks (CFTs). These impose a smaller aerodynamic penalty than traditional external drop tanks and do not take up weapons hardpoints. It has been calculated that CFTs give 150 nautical miles more range compared to traditional drop tanks.
The very sharp-sighted might also notice some of the enhanced low observable (stealth) features incorporated on the Block III – including a redesigned gun muzzle above the nose and redesigned angle of attack sensors on the sides of the forward fuselage.
With a planned service life extending out to 2040 and beyond, the structural service life of both in-service and new-build Super Hornets is being extended from 6,000 to 9,000 flying hours.
The Block III Super Hornet will also feature a new advanced cockpit with a wide area display, designed by Elbit Systems USA, with new mission processors, a low-profile head-up display, and a large 10-in by 19-in touchscreen HD wide-area display.
The aircraft is fitted with a new Boeing distributed targeting processor-networked (DTP-N) computer, a Rockwell Collins tactical targeting network technology (TTNT) internet protocol-based datalink, and a Lockheed Martin AN/ASG-34 infrared search-and-track pod.
The aircraft also features a Harris AN/ALQ-214 Block IV integrated defensive electronic countermeasures (IDECM) suite, while the Raytheon AN/APG-79 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar will incorporate some upgrades.
The Kuwait deal, along with an expected US Navy order for 12 more Super Hornets, promises to keep Boeing’s F/A-18 St Louis assembly line open for about two years longer. Keeping the Super Hornet line open will allow Boeing to offer the aircraft in further export campaigns, perhaps most notably in India, Canada and Finland...

Read more at:
http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/new-hornets-carry-a-huge-sting.html

 

[Sancho]

Singapore Airshow 2018: Boeing eyes Super Hornet partners in India
09 February 2018

Boeing is assessing Indian defence and aerospace companies to select industrial partners in support of its bid to supply its F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet fighter aircraft to the Indian Navy (IN), Gene Cunningham, vice-president of Boeing Defense, Space & Security told Jane’son 8 February.

The IN fighter requirement – the Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighter (MRCBF) programme – features the acquisition of an initial 57 aircraft. The IN issued a request for information (RFI) to support the programme, which has an estimated cost of USD5.7 billion, in January 2017.

A key part of the MRCBF requirement will be local industrial participation in line with New Delhi’s ‘Make in India’ drive to spur manufacturing capability within the country. It is also possible that the programme will fall under India’s new Strategic Partner policy, through which the government will nominate specific private-sector companies to engage with the foreign contractor.

Commenting on the industrial element of the programme, Cunningham said Boeing is evaluating potential partners with a view to making selections possibly later this year.

“We know there will be specific requirements about the companies that will be asked to be considered for partnerships under the Strategic Partner requirements,” he said. “Our approach right now is to identify which companies make the best teammates within the structural requirements.”

He added, “There are many good companies in India with good capabilities. We are trying to make our way through the whole field and to figure what is the best fit.”

While extensive local participation in the MRCBF programme is expected, Cunningham said the details about the scope of this engagement have yet to be finalised by the Indian government. “We are not at the stage where the requirements are laid out,” he said.

http://www.janes.com/article/77765/...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

[Sancho]

US Navy contracts Boeing to begin conformal fuel tank work for Super Hornet Block 3
15 February 2018

Boeing has been contracted to design, develop, test, and integrate conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) for the US Navy’s (USN’s) fleet of F/A-18E/F Super Hornet combat aircraft.

The contract, announced by the Department of Defense (DoD) on 14 February, is valued at USD219.6 million and will run through to July 2022.

Boeing first touted ‘shoulder-mounted’ CFTs as one of the features of its Super Hornet International Roadmap in 2011 and of its Advanced Super Hornet concept in 2013. These CFTs have now been rolled into the USN’s Super Hornet Block 3 upgrade, which should begin entering service in the early 2020s.

www.janes.com/article/77935/us-navy-contracts-boeing-to-begin-conformal-fuel-tank-work-for-super-hornet-block-3

 

[Sancho]

www.janes.com/article/77935/us-navy-contracts-boeing-to-begin-conformal-fuel-tank-work-for-super-hornet-block-3

Sieh dir den Tweet von @CombatAir_Mag an:

 

[Sancho]

Sieh dir den Tweet von @GarethJennings3 an:

 

[Sancho]

Boeing makes a pitch for F/A-18s to India

Pitching its F/A-18 Super Hornet to India’s air force and navy, US military contractor Boeing Co. has said the twin-engine fighter plane is cheaper to operate than a single-engine jet, citing a US government study.

In an interview, Boeing Defence Space and Security chief executive Leanne Caret, speaks about the company’s plans to pursue an upcoming multi-billion dollar fighter programme, Make in India opportunities and the defence ecosystem in the country. Edited excerpts...

More at:
http://www.livemint.com/Companies/C.../Boeing-makes-a-pitch-for-FA18s-to-India.html

 

[Sancho]

Navy recognition interview on F18 block 3:

 

[WolfPack86]

#IAF is asked to evaluate F/A-18 Super Hornet for the next 100+ fighter jets worth $15 Billion, this is also a finalist in Navy's $8 billion to $9 billion contract for 57 fighters. Canada eyes 88 such jets which can be worth $15 billion
https://twitter.com/indiandefencera?lang=en

 

[Hari Sud]

Hold it a bit-

Will India run into CISMOA issues if we buy F-18/ E/F block 3. Then it is a big problem right up front.

Anybody has inside information about it.

 

[WolfPack86]

India eying Boeing's Super Hornet in latest twist to air force procurement
NEW DELHI/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Boeing Co, considered the front runner in the race to supply the Indian navy with new fighter jets, is now in contention for a much bigger $15 billion order after the government abruptly asked the air force to consider the twin-engine planes.

Until recently, Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-16 and Saab AB’s Gripen were in a two-horse race supply at least 100 single-engine jets to build up the Indian Air Force’s fast-depleting combat fleet.

Both had offered to build the planes in India in collaboration with local companies as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s drive to build a domestic industrial base and cut back on arms imports.

But last month the government asked the air force to open up the competition to twin-engine aircraft and to evaluate Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet, a defense ministry source said. That jet is a finalist for the Indian navy’s $8 billion to $9 billion contract for 57 fighters.


The defense ministry plans to within weeks issue a request for information (RFI), the first stage of a procurement process, for a fighter to be built in India. The competition will be open to both single and twin-engine jets, the official said, but both Lockheed and Saab said they had not been informed about the new requirements.

The latest change of heart is a major opportunity for Boeing, whose only foreign Super Hornet customer so far is the Royal Australian Air Force.

It also illustrates how dysfunctional the weapons procurement process and arms industry are in the world’s second-most-populous country. The need for new fighters has been known for nearly 15 years, but after many announcements, twists and turns, the country’s air force has only three-quarters of the aircraft it needs.

An indigenous light combat aircraft, the Tejas, is still not operational, 35 years after it was first proposed.

An Indian Air Force source said fighter procurement was urgent: the branch’s operational strength has fallen to just 33 squadrons, its weakest level in four decades, as it decommissions Soviet-era MiG-21s.

“The IAF wants the RFI issued within weeks and get the process started,” said the source, who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media. “The problem is that government keeps shifting what it wants.”

A PRESSING NEED
Over the next decade, 13 more squadrons will be retired as their aircraft age out of service, parliament’s standing committee on defense said in a December report.

The defense ministry declined to comment on the air force’s aircraft modernization program, saying it was not in a position to do so.

Lockheed, which had offered to shift its F-16 production line in Fort Worth, Texas, to India, said it had not been told of any change to the Indian plan for single-engine fighters.

“Our proposed F-16 partnership with India stands firm,” the company said in an email. Last year it picked Tata Advanced Systems as its local partner and said it was in talks with dozens of firms to build up the supplier network.

“The Government of India has not yet issued formal requirements but we are continuing to support government-to-government discussions and engage with Indian companies about F-16 industrial opportunities,” Lockheed said.

Sweden’s Saab was also caught off guard.

“We have seen the reports in the Indian media, but no new formal communication has been made to us regarding the fighter program,” said Rob Hewson, Saab Asia Pacific’s head of communications.

France’s Dassault Systemes SE’s Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon and Russian aircraft are also potential contenders under the new requirements, the air force source and industry analysts said.

Admiral Harry Harris, the head of U.S. Pacific Command, told the U.S. House Armed Services Committee last month that India was considering the stealthy F-35, among other options. But the Indian air force said no request had been made to Lockheed for even a briefing on the aircraft.

An order the size of India’s is rare. The only comparable opportunity for the Super Hornet is Canada’s request for 88 fighters, which could be worth as much as $14.6 billion.

The Indian air force competition has echoes of a 2007 tender for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft, for which Dassault was selected for exclusive negotiations. But the talks quickly bogged down over local production and prices, and in the end, the government ordered just 36 Rafales in 2016 for $8.7 billion.

LOCAL FIGHTER
The air force ideally would like a combination of lighter single-engine and twin-engine jets, as well as stealthy aircraft, but cannot afford such a range of foreign systems, analysts said.

A twin-engine foreign fighter would perhaps offer the best value while the Tejas finishes development, they said.

India’s annual defense capital procurement budget of $14 billion to $15 billion has to be spread over the army, navy, air force and the indigenous defense research organization.

“The operational costs are going up with increased manpower, higher wages and general inflation. Ministry of Defence doesn’t have the luxury to go for too many platforms despite the rapidly falling squadron strength of the air force,” said Amber Dubey, partner and India head of aerospace and defense at global consultancy KPMG.

Boeing India President Pratyush Kumar said the company was ready to respond to any request from the air force.


“We will follow the MoD’s lead on their process and will be responsive to their needs if we are asked to provide any information,” he said.

Kumar said Boeing was committed to building the planes in India and had offered to help with India’s plans to develop its own advanced medium combat aircraft.

But the experience with the Rafale contract has made experts skeptical that the latest tender will proceed as planned.

Richard A. Bitzinger, visiting senior fellow at Singapore’s S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said he did not expect a resolution in even the next two to three years.

“I am never surprised by what the Indians do when it comes to their procurement tenders. They are constantly changing the rules, changing their minds, and often even cancelling orders mid-way through,” he said.

“The Indians have a remarkable knack for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-twist-to-air-force-procurement-idUSKCN1GR081

 

[BON PLAN]

India eying Boeing's Super Hornet in latest twist to air force procurement
NEW DELHI/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Boeing Co, considered the front runner in the race to supply the Indian navy with new fighter jets, is now in contention for a much bigger $15 billion order after the government abruptly asked the air force to consider the twin-engine planes.

Until recently, Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-16 and Saab AB’s Gripen were in a two-horse race supply at least 100 single-engine jets to build up the Indian Air Force’s fast-depleting combat fleet.

Both had offered to build the planes in India in collaboration with local companies as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s drive to build a domestic industrial base and cut back on arms imports.

But last month the government asked the air force to open up the competition to twin-engine aircraft and to evaluate Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet, a defense ministry source said. That jet is a finalist for the Indian navy’s $8 billion to $9 billion contract for 57 fighters.


The defense ministry plans to within weeks issue a request for information (RFI), the first stage of a procurement process, for a fighter to be built in India. The competition will be open to both single and twin-engine jets, the official said, but both Lockheed and Saab said they had not been informed about the new requirements.

The latest change of heart is a major opportunity for Boeing, whose only foreign Super Hornet customer so far is the Royal Australian Air Force.

It also illustrates how dysfunctional the weapons procurement process and arms industry are in the world’s second-most-populous country. The need for new fighters has been known for nearly 15 years, but after many announcements, twists and turns, the country’s air force has only three-quarters of the aircraft it needs.

An indigenous light combat aircraft, the Tejas, is still not operational, 35 years after it was first proposed.

An Indian Air Force source said fighter procurement was urgent: the branch’s operational strength has fallen to just 33 squadrons, its weakest level in four decades, as it decommissions Soviet-era MiG-21s.

“The IAF wants the RFI issued within weeks and get the process started,” said the source, who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media. “The problem is that government keeps shifting what it wants.”

A PRESSING NEED
Over the next decade, 13 more squadrons will be retired as their aircraft age out of service, parliament’s standing committee on defense said in a December report.

The defense ministry declined to comment on the air force’s aircraft modernization program, saying it was not in a position to do so.

Lockheed, which had offered to shift its F-16 production line in Fort Worth, Texas, to India, said it had not been told of any change to the Indian plan for single-engine fighters.

“Our proposed F-16 partnership with India stands firm,” the company said in an email. Last year it picked Tata Advanced Systems as its local partner and said it was in talks with dozens of firms to build up the supplier network.

“The Government of India has not yet issued formal requirements but we are continuing to support government-to-government discussions and engage with Indian companies about F-16 industrial opportunities,” Lockheed said.

Sweden’s Saab was also caught off guard.

“We have seen the reports in the Indian media, but no new formal communication has been made to us regarding the fighter program,” said Rob Hewson, Saab Asia Pacific’s head of communications.

France’s Dassault Systemes SE’s Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon and Russian aircraft are also potential contenders under the new requirements, the air force source and industry analysts said.

Admiral Harry Harris, the head of U.S. Pacific Command, told the U.S. House Armed Services Committee last month that India was considering the stealthy F-35, among other options. But the Indian air force said no request had been made to Lockheed for even a briefing on the aircraft.

An order the size of India’s is rare. The only comparable opportunity for the Super Hornet is Canada’s request for 88 fighters, which could be worth as much as $14.6 billion.

The Indian air force competition has echoes of a 2007 tender for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft, for which Dassault was selected for exclusive negotiations. But the talks quickly bogged down over local production and prices, and in the end, the government ordered just 36 Rafales in 2016 for $8.7 billion.

LOCAL FIGHTER
The air force ideally would like a combination of lighter single-engine and twin-engine jets, as well as stealthy aircraft, but cannot afford such a range of foreign systems, analysts said.

A twin-engine foreign fighter would perhaps offer the best value while the Tejas finishes development, they said.

India’s annual defense capital procurement budget of $14 billion to $15 billion has to be spread over the army, navy, air force and the indigenous defense research organization.

“The operational costs are going up with increased manpower, higher wages and general inflation. Ministry of Defence doesn’t have the luxury to go for too many platforms despite the rapidly falling squadron strength of the air force,” said Amber Dubey, partner and India head of aerospace and defense at global consultancy KPMG.

Boeing India President Pratyush Kumar said the company was ready to respond to any request from the air force.


“We will follow the MoD’s lead on their process and will be responsive to their needs if we are asked to provide any information,” he said.

Kumar said Boeing was committed to building the planes in India and had offered to help with India’s plans to develop its own advanced medium combat aircraft.

But the experience with the Rafale contract has made experts skeptical that the latest tender will proceed as planned.

Richard A. Bitzinger, visiting senior fellow at Singapore’s S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said he did not expect a resolution in even the next two to three years.

“I am never surprised by what the Indians do when it comes to their procurement tenders. They are constantly changing the rules, changing their minds, and often even cancelling orders mid-way through,” he said.

“The Indians have a remarkable knack for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-twist-to-air-force-procurement-idUSKCN1GR081

pfffff....

two months ago it was sure : F16 will be ordered.
Now SH18.
Tomorrow the stealthy big goose F35

No way. The winner will be Rafale.

=>Already ordered.
=>Mature but with a solid road map for the future.
=>Able to all missions.
=>With less political risk than a full or partial US product.

 

[Immanuel]

pfffff....

two months ago it was sure : F16 will be ordered.
Now SH18.
Tomorrow the stealthy big goose F35

No way. The winner will be Rafale.

=>Already ordered.
=>Mature but with a solid road map for the future.
=>Able to all missions.
=>With less political risk than a full or partial US product.

Not a given, if IN wanted Rafale, it would have merely asked for G2G deal much like for the IAF, it's clear MOD is trying to get IN & IAF to buy the same aircraft, this would mean if IAF were to trial the Block 3 SH, the Rafale is vulnerable since Block 3 comes with proven and far better AESA, CFTs, Large Panel Displays, uprated F414 engines (huge commonality boost with LCA MK-2 for which 99 are already ordered and first few engines already delivered) and comes ready capable of deploying a host of US weapons already in service such as Paveways, Harpoons, CBU-105SFW (with more to be ordered). From day 1 the SH can do more missions with a far wider set of weapons. The SH with over 600 already operational has a far better and well funded road map. It's flyaway and operational costs are lower too.

This scenario makes 3 aircraft plausible Rafale, SH Block-3 and F-35 if LM/ US Govt. decide to up the ante by offering it.

As far as political risk of the fighter being a US product, it's very low since IAF/IN would have to choose the best aircraft based on trials, we could end with a split if IAF sticks to buying the Rafale and if IN finds the SH more suitable. This doesn't mean Rafale doesn't have an advantage but to declare it winner already is silly while I think IAF should buy another 36 Rafale anyways outside this competition for 114 fighters for IAF and 57 for IN.

What were the poltical risks of buying the 12 P-8I with 24 to be ordered during the next decade? What are the risks the Govt. faced for order the very expensive C-17s, 28 Apaches, 15 Chinooks, 140+ M777 (with MII order of over 1000 expected), LM2500 engines for IAC-1. The armed forces IN, IA and IAF do consider risks but it didn't stop them from ordering these without any major hiccups.

Any news that said IAF would buy the F-16 was fake news.

 

[AmoghaVarsha]

For heaven's sake buy the bloody fighter. This is getting ridiculous now, not that it wasnot earlier but this is in nuts territory.



Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[Brij Ray]

in logo ne internationally INDI-YAAPA macha rakha hai

 

[BON PLAN]

The SH with over 600 already operational has a far better and well funded road map. It's flyaway and operational costs are lower too.

SH18 : 2 customers / Rafale : 4 customers.

Better road map? The production will ceased in a very few year, and after that all the budget will go to the stealthy big goose, so for the time being, the SH road map is mainly a powerpoint (seems that the powerpoint is the most powerfull tool imagined by the US fighter manufacturers...)

Lower costs? never proved. the SH is bigger, heavier, so unlikely to be cheaper.

 

[Prashant12]

There has been no request made by the government to the Air Force to specifically evaluate Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet as suggested in some reports.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gov...ghter-jet-deal-say-sources-on-reports-1824391

 

[shankyz]

There has been no request made by the government to the Air Force to specifically evaluate Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet as suggested in some reports.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gov...ghter-jet-deal-say-sources-on-reports-1824391

TOI-let paper hit job as usual .....dalals at work ....

 

[Sancho]

#IAF is asked to evaluate F/A-18 Super Hornet

Let me repeat myself:

Actually that's not what Livefist is saying:

So IAF "don't" want to use the same fighter, just for so called commonality reasons and would prefer to have an own choice according to their requirements.
That actually would speak for the SE MMRCAs again, because even if Saab participates with a naval version in the IN tender, they have no chances for the navy. That leaves only F18 or Rafale that could be forced on IAF and since they already have Rafale, it should mean, that they fear to be forced on F18SHs for commonality reason.

http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/...-news-discussions.57142/page-128#post-1410394

If we recap reports of the last 6 months, we have seen...

IAF - prioritising SE MMRCAs to make up numbers at lower costs and explaining GoI why Tejas is not comparable to MMRCAs.

IN - gets replies from 4 customers to their RFI, while GoI is urging on revising IN budget.

Boeing - going public with support of HAL and the offer to set up a joint production line.

GOI - delaying the RFI of the SE tender and now rumors of including TE fighters like the F18 again.

Interesting development.

Apart that government evidently is clueless on what they want, it's also clear that they are they have funding problems and combining IAF and IN could reduce costs.
The F18 is also one of the cheapest TE MMRCAs, per unit and at operational costs. With the Block 3 upgrade, it certainly offers more future potential than the F16 and certainly should be the prefered political choice, if we want to make a US deal.
But the lack of flight performance and EW capabilities, would be a problem for IAF for sure.
From an industrial point of view, it would be better for India to have 2 different production lines and ToT inputs, to gain more benefits to improve the aviation industry.

And all this 1 year ahead of the election.