Navy Orders Block III Super Hornets

The Navy has awarded Boeing a $4B contract for the production of 78 Block III Super Hornets (61 single seat ‘E’ models and 17 two seat ‘F’ models) to be built beginning in 2019 and deliver beginning in 2021. (1)  That’s $51M apiece so, presumably, that’s not the complete cost which indications are should be around $80M each.

As a reminder, the Block III Super Hornet includes the following enhancements:

• Enhanced stealth (2)
• Greater range (129 nm) (2)
• Conformal fuel tanks
• Larger weapons payload
• Longer lifespan (9000-10,000 hours) (2,3)
• Enhanced networking, satellite communications, and data links
• Block II IRST (Infrared Search and Track) (3)
• Advanced Cockpit Display (3)

Note that the Block III is not exactly the same as the Advanced Super Hornet (ASF).  The Block III lacks some feature of the ASF, notably additional stealth.

Upgraded Super Hornet

Boeing claims that within a decade the entire Super Hornet carrier fleet will be Block III aircraft. (2)

Note that in addition to providing longer range, the conformal fuel tanks also free up pylons for additional weapons carriage.

Minor structural changes will decrease the aircraft’s radar cross section (RCS). (5)  How that resulting degree of stealth compares to the F-35 is unknown.

Boeing will begin converting Block II Super Hornets to the Block III configuration, as well. (3)  Conversion cost will be on the order of “a few million dollars” per aircraft. (4)

The Navy plans to order additional Block III Super Hornets at a rate of 12 per year for 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Some observers see the Navy using the F-35C as the spotter due to its greater stealth and the F-18 as the shooter due to its greater weapons payload.  According to Sean Stackley, former Secretary of the Navy,

The Super Hornet has a lot of payload, and that’s a good complement to the F-35, which has stealth and sensors. (4)

Others disagree and note that the F-18 will have enhanced stealth and an IRST sensor allowing it to go toe-to-toe with front line enemy aircraft on its own.

One of the remaining problems is integrating the F-35 and the Super Hornet.  The F-35’s ‘stealthy’ communications method involves the Multi-function Advanced Data Link (MADL).  Unfortunately, no other aircraft includes that function so the F-35 can’t securely talk to anyone but another F-35.  The F-35 can, of course, use the standard Link 16 but that mode is more easily detected.  Boeing claims to be working on the issue.

While this is a positive step for naval aviation, the Hornet remains a sub-optimal aircraft for the Navy’s operational needs.  The war with China will require a very long range, very high payload, air superiority fighter and the Hornet is not it – nor is the F-35.

Rather than make the hard decision to terminate the F-35 and embark on a new, purpose designed long range, air superiority fighter that actually meets the operational needs, the Navy is just prolonging the mediocrity by polishing up the ill-suited Hornet.  Yes, it will now be a somewhat better ill-suited Hornet but it’s still an ill-suited Hornet.  This is the classic ‘lipstick on a pig’ scenario.

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(1)USNI News, “Boeing Awarded $4B Multi-Year Deal for 78 Super Hornets”, Ben Werner, 21-Mar-2019,

https://news.usni.org/2019/03/21/42021

(2)USNI News, “Boeing Touts Block III Super Hornet’s Better Range, Improved Digital Connectivity to Fleet”, Ben Werner, 23-May-2019,

https://news.usni.org/2018/05/23/33808

(3)Sea Power Magazine website, “Navy Orders 78 Super Hornet Block III Strike Fighters”, Richard R. Burgess, 21-Mar-2019,

http://seapowermagazine.org/stories/20190321-Boeing.html

(4)Breaking Defense website,”Boeing’s Block III Super Hornet ‘High End’ Complement To F-35: Stackley”, Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr., 6-Apr-2017,

https://breakingdefense.com/2017/04/boeings-block-iii-super-hornet-high-end-complement-to-f-35-stackley/

(5)DefPost website, “Boeing Receives U.S. Navy Contract for 78 F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet Fighter Jets”, 24-Mar-2019,

https://defpost.com/boeing-receives-u-s-navy-contract-for-78-f-a-18-block-iii-super-hornet-fighter-jets/

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