The F/A-18 Block III can safely operate from Indian aircraft carriers with 'significant'' payload, says Boeing after conducting detailed capability studies and simulation analysis.
The Super Hornets are required to operate from the under construction INS Vikrant that is expected to start its sea trials at the earliest by 2020.
A senior Boeing executive told ET that talks are on with both the navy and the airforce (which has a requirement for 116 new fighter jets) and that the Super Hornet would in the near future demonstrate its capability to take off from a ski jump.
Boeing says that according to its internal studies the Super Hornet will be able to operate from the ski jump without any modifications to either the carrier or the jet itself.
“We have answered queries from the Indian Navy and the simulation analysis is done. At some point we will also take off from a US Navy ski jump. We feel very comfortable that we will pass the requirements with a meaningful and significant payload,” Dan Gillian, Program Manager F/A-18 at Boeing says.
Boeing is looking to leverage its partnership with Indian manufacturers Mahindra and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to present a proposal under the Make in India initiative.
“HAL has built airplanes for years and Mahindra too has manufacturing knowhow. A public-private partnership will bring it together and we will build a brand new first class facility in India. It will help India build its next plan for the advanced multirole combat aircraft as well,” Gillian says.
While a timeline is tough to assign, the Indian Navy would require to induct the jets for its second aircraft carrier under construction by 2020-22 while the air force is desperately looking for replacements to the MiG jets by 2025.
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