First Hornet 2.2 rolled out

In the year that the RAAF's Hornet fleet celebrates its 20th birthday, Boeing has delivered the first two of 71 F/A-18 Hornets to undergo Phase 2.2 of the Hornet Upgrade (HUG) Program.

The validation and verification stage of Phase 2.2, the most complex HUG phase to date, started on 1 July 2004 and was completed on schedule at the Boeing Aerospace Support Centre (BASC) in Cecil Field, Florida. The handover, in January, signalled the commencement of flight-testing at China Lake, California, to achieve RAAF certification.

Once testing is complete in November, the Boeing Australia-led Hornet Industry Coalition (HIC) will commence Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) at the BASC at RAAF Base Williamtown. This is scheduled to run from the first quarter of 2006 to the end of 2008. In parallel, Boeing expects to be installing the upgraded EW Self-Protection (EWSP) system under Phase 2.3 from the end of this year to the end of 2007. Structural refurbishments and centre barrel replacements under Phases 3.1 and 3.2 of the HUG are scheduled for 2005-2007 and 2007-2010, respectively.

Phase 2.3 will also see the Hornets receive the Omni21X OFP, enabled for the RAAF's unique EWSP suite. By 2010 the Hornets will have the Omni 23X OFP enabling full operation of whichever Follow-On Stand-Off Weapon is selected under Project Air 5418.

The HUG Phase 2.2 upgrade includes the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS); Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS); Tactical Aircraft Moving Map Capability (TAMMAC); a new Countermeasures Dispensing Systems (CMDS); and the Omni 19C Operational Flight Program (OFP) which will enable the upgraded aircraft to handle J-series weapons, including JDAM and the Small Diameter Bomb.

Boeing's Vice President F/A-18 Programs, Chris Chadwick, said the completion of Phase 2.2 would give the RAAF a superior air combat capability.

"The two HUG 2.2 jets are now the most capable first generation Hornets in the world," Chadwick said. "The upgrades have enhanced their lethality and survivability and will improve interoperability of the Australian F/A-18 fleet with allied air forces."

By Gregor Ferguson, St Louis & Adelaide