CF-18 Hornet Extension Project achieves initial operational capability
All RCAF CF-18 Hornet aircraft have been scheduled for retirement in 2032. (Photo: US Air Force / Senior Airman Julia Lebens)
The project extension continues to address the capability gap in the Canadian Armed Forces to meet its fighter aircraft commitments for both NORAD and NATO.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has announced its CF-18 Hornet Extension Project (HEP) has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC).
As part of a joint effort with the F/A-18 and EA-18G programme office (PMA-265), HEP will ensure the RCAF CF-18 Hornet fighter fleet can meet operational commitments to the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) and NATO until 2032, the RCAF stated. From then on, the fleet will be retired and replaced with F35-As under Canada’s future fighter capability project.
The IOC also marked the delivery of the first six HEP2 upgraded fighter aircraft to the RCAF. A total of 84 aircraft will be upgraded which RCAF said would provide all 84 aircraft with HEP 1 interoperability upgrades and 36 aircraft with HEP 2 combat capability upgrades. According to the RCAF, Full Operational Capability on all 84 aircraft is predicted to be achieved by the first half of 2026.
“Achieving this milestone and ensuring the timely delivery of the first six aircraft required extensive coordination and cooperation among industry partners, PMA-265 and the Navy F/A-18 enterprise, including the Air Weapons Laboratory and radar teams at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake,” said Don Valentine, PMA-265 Canadian and Spanish F/A-18 programme manager.
PMA-265 provides current and future capabilities for the F/A-18A-D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the GA-18G Growler, in the form of life cycle support management and weapons systems.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Future Fighter Capability Project [Canada]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Thailand-bound AH-6i helicopter completes first flight]()
Thailand-bound AH-6i helicopter completes first flight
A total of eight aircraft will replace the Royal Thai Army’s ageing AH-IF Cobra fleet as part of a contract deal worth US$103.8 million.
-
![Raytheon to develop Next-Gen Jammer upgrade for US navy under $192million deal]()
Raytheon to develop Next-Gen Jammer upgrade for US navy under $192million deal
The development of the Next-Generation Jammer Mid-Band system and its expansion upgrade will be a joint effort between the Royal Australian Air Force and US Navy to meet emerging electronic warfare threats.
-
![Pratt & Whitney granted $1.3 billion for F135 core upgrade]()
Pratt & Whitney granted $1.3 billion for F135 core upgrade
The contract award followed on from the preliminary design review of the F135 Engine Core Upgrade in July 2024. Work on the upgrade will be expected to be completed by March 2028.
-
![Lockheed Martin bags $3.2 billion US Air Force contract for JASSM and LRASM]()
Lockheed Martin bags $3.2 billion US Air Force contract for JASSM and LRASM
Lockheed Martin will supply the missile systems to the militaries of Japan, Finland, Poland and the Netherlands, with work carried out at Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Orlando until mid-2032.
