Boeing on 3 June reported that it has delivered the first F/A-18 Super Hornet test aircraft for the USN’s Blue Angel flight demonstration squadron.
The company has delivered 23 modified Blue Angel aircraft since 2008. It expects to deliver an additional 11 to the squadron by the end of 2020.
The first Super Hornet will now enter flight test and evaluation processes at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. The F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets are converted into Blue Angels by Boeing at the company’s Cecil Field facilities in Jacksonville, Florida.
The conversion includes an addition of an oil tank for the smoke-generation system, fuel systems that extend its operational flight time, civilian-compatible navigation software and cameras.
Adm (ret) Pat Walsh, VP of USN & USMC Services for Boeing, said: ‘As Boeing continues to support the operational fleet of Navy Super Hornets, we are excited to see this platform enter a critical phase of its journey to joining the team.’
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
Romania joined NATO more than two decades ago and the country is vital to the alliance’s geographic reach and its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons.
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.
Connect with us on socials
