F/A-18 Super Hornet

[JA Boomer]

Its likely still some distance away, typically the navy jammer aircraft is based on the older of the two carrier air-frames, the prowler is scheduled to leave the navy next year and the marines shortly after. Likely the growler will be the only EW aircraft in the navy for a few years until an f-35 version becomes available. Which isn't likely for at least a decade. (I don't know for sure I don't have any real sources on f-35 development let alone variant development with-in and its pretty certain it won't be much beyond conceptual until the air-frame itself is in service for a year or two)

The "Next Generation Jammer" is a replacement for the AN/ALQ-99 electronic warfare system used on the Prowler and Growler, not an actual new jamming aircraft.

[Maxor]

With these recent acquisitions of EA-18s does that mean the Next Generation Jammer is somewhere close to seeing the light of day? I was under the impression that it was still 4-5 years away at this point.

Its likely still some distance away, typically the navy jammer aircraft is based on the older of the two carrier air-frames, the prowler is scheduled to leave the navy next year and the marines shortly after. Likely the growler will be the only EW aircraft in the navy for a few years until an f-35 version becomes available. Which isn't likely for at least a decade. (I don't know for sure I don't have any real sources on f-35 development let alone variant development with-in and its pretty certain it won't be much beyond conceptual until the air-frame itself is in service for a year or two)

[SteveDaPirate]

With these recent acquisitions of EA-18s does that mean the Next Generation Jammer is somewhere close to seeing the light of day? I was under the impression that it was still 4-5 years away at this point.

[surfgun]

Boeing Awarded to $1.94 Billion Contract for F/A-18 Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers

By RICHARD R. BURGESS, Managing Editor

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has awarded to Boeing a production contract for 44 F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighters and EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft in what may be the last run for the Super Hornet.

The $1.94 billion contract, awarded June 30 for fiscal 2014, will result in the production of 11 Lot 38 F/A-18Es and 21 EA-18Gs for the U.S. Navy and 12 EA-18Gs for the Royal Australian Air Force.

Unless additional orders for the F/A-18E/F are forthcoming from the U.S. or foreign governments, the contract will be the last for the Super Hornet, with the last jets rolling off the St. Louis production line in 2016.

Production of the EA-18G may be extended beyond 2016 if Congressional mark-ups of the 2015 National Defense Authorization bill or defense appropriations bill survive the budget process. The House Armed Services Committee has approved five Growlers, and the House Appropriations Committee has approved funds for 12 Growlers. The Navy has stated a requirement for 22 EA-18Gs in 2015 or beyond.

The Navy plans to stand up two additional expeditionary EA-18G squadrons and to increase the number of EA-18Gs per carrier-based squadron from five to seven if procurement levels allow.

[gf0012-aust]

It is that secret?

Not really. Its more of an issue that sometimes there are conversations better held away from the general forum, and in the case of Chogy and Jimmy, minimal conversation needed as they play in the space and will get the picture really quickly :)

I'm pretty sure most people don't care about how RAN and RAAF play

[Doktor]

wait out, more detail coming in a PM to you and Jimmy in a few hours time

It is that secret?

[GGTharos]

Because the F-15SE is none of those things you mention. The TWR night be superior but that doesn't matter - once you load it out for strike it'll be quite heavy. And the F-35 will likely beat it in range because it features more comprehensive stealth, allowing it to cruise at higher altitudes where the F-15SE would have to fly lower altitude profiles. Those are probably minor points as well, since it's all about the package: Comprehensive stealth, modern computing infrastructure, sensor fusion, and all the new fun capabilities that ensure the F-35 will not be obsoleted anywhere near as soon as SuperHornet or a Silent Eagle.

Interestingly, with all of that said, the F-15SE looks like a more attractive offering; better T-to-W ratio, equivalent stealth characteristics, longer range, more flexible airframe, better avionics, etc.

I'm still scratching my head as to why the F-15SE hasn't garnered any international orders; granted, it's a legacy airframe, but people have been operating "upgraded" MiG-21's for decades now, why not the F-15?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]33290[/ATTACH]

[gf0012-aust]

Curious, why in bed with the USN? With all due respect to our squidly friends, their mission centers around fleet operations and power projection. In terms of an overall force, the USAF is better rounded.

wait out, more detail coming in a PM to you and Jimmy in a few hours time

[Doktor]

Looking from far away, seems like a logical step, since whatever engagement RAAF will eventually have would include navy.

[Jimmy]

Curious, why in bed with the USN? With all due respect to our squidly friends, their mission centers around fleet operations and power projection. In terms of an overall force, the USAF is better rounded.

For whatever reason, the Navy works with them far more. Unless the RAAF comes to Red Flag, the only Americans they practice with is the USN. I've got a few ideas why it evolved this way, but that's it.

[Chogy]

+ USN is heavily linked into RAAF with other aviation developments.

Curious, why in bed with the USN? With all due respect to our squidly friends, their mission centers around fleet operations and power projection. In terms of an overall force, the USAF is better rounded.

[gf0012-aust]

Interestingly, with all of that said, the F-15SE looks like a more attractive offering; better T-to-W ratio, equivalent stealth characteristics, longer range, more flexible airframe, better avionics, etc.

I'm still scratching my head as to why the F-15SE hasn't garnered any international orders; granted, it's a legacy airframe, but people have been operating "upgraded" MiG-21's for decades now, why not the F-15?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]33290[/ATTACH]

well, for RAAF it was driven by issues of support tail commonality, and a big influence was that the USN was prepared to break their own delivery cycle so as to give us earlier access into the new platforms. + USN is heavily linked into RAAF with other aviation developments. +there was no readily identifiable wild weasel equiv in F-15's unless we wanted IDF involvement (and which would have been a longer streched out development issue)

all in all I'd argue that it all came down to logistics and TLS. F15 was never in the hunt when you considered how tight we are with the USN and what they were willing to do to help

[Jimmy]

Because the countries that can afford an F-15SE can afford newer designs. Countries that are buying MiG-21s can't (with one exception).

[Stitch]

IF Canada opts out of F-35 then I think the SH would be the natural choice however I don't see that happening. F-35 will most likely be more expensive than the SH, but the difference may not be that big.

And that is part of the point I am trying to make; the SH is quite capable but it is also quite expensive. Keep in mind that to keep the SH relevant it needs a substantial MLU in the near future that will push the price up; it would need the EPE engines, CFTs, RCS reductions, low-RCS weapons pod, upgrade in avionics, IRST system, etc. Without those things (or most of them) it is difficult to see how the SH can remain relevant over the next 40 years.

With those things, the price will go up...

This is why I think that high-end operators that currently consider the F-35 for the most part will go for F-35. In particular partners have a strong incentive to do so, and both Canada and Denmark are partners.

Interestingly, with all of that said, the F-15SE looks like a more attractive offering; better T-to-W ratio, equivalent stealth characteristics, longer range, more flexible airframe, better avionics, etc.

I'm still scratching my head as to why the F-15SE hasn't garnered any international orders; granted, it's a legacy airframe, but people have been operating "upgraded" MiG-21's for decades now, why not the F-15?

[citanon]

IF Canada opts out of F-35 then I think the SH would be the natural choice however I don't see that happening. F-35 will most likely be more expensive than the SH, but the difference may not be that big.

And that is part of the point I am trying to make; the SH is quite capable but it is also quite expensive. Keep in mind that to keep the SH relevant it needs a substantial MLU in the near future that will push the price up; it would need the Without those things (or most of them) it is difficult to see how the SH can remain relevant over the next 40 years.

With those things, the price will go up...

This is why I think that high-end operators that currently consider the F-35 for the most part will go for F-35. In particular partners have a strong incentive to do so, and both Canada and Denmark are partners.

And worse yet, 10 years down the line, Canada might find herself the only country in the world operating a couple of dozen out of production SHs with unique "EPE engines, CFTs, RCS reductions, low-RCS weapons pod, upgrade in avionics, IRST system, etc." Can you imagine the maintenance costs? Ouch!