By Ankur Kanaglekar, India Fighters Lead, Boeing Defense, Space & Security
The F/A-18 E/F Block III Super Hornet is the world’s most lethal, advanced, combat-proven, multi-role frontline fighter-jet. This next-generation aircraft is ready to protect Indian armed forces from current and evolving threats for decades to come.
The Block III Super Hornet will be delivered to the U.S. Navy early next year and will continue to serve as their frontline fighter. This modern jet on offer to Indian Navy and Indian Air Force incorporates several key enhancements and cutting edge technologies including enhanced network capacity, longer range, even better stealth performance, an advanced cockpit system and new sensors, with the life of the aircraft extended to 10,000 hours.
Game Changer for the Indian Navy
The Block III Super Hornet is uniquely suited for the Indian Navy’s operational environment. Built to meet the broadest range of mission needs, the Block III delivers the world’s most contemporary warfighter technologies for unique and differentiated capabilities while offering full compatibility with India’s naval carriers without modifications.
Beyond its advanced technology, the Super Hornet was designed as a carrier-based fighter for high-loading, high-stress operations with minimal support equipment required. These operational requirements have allowed for nearly two decades of naval operations in all-weather conditions and long duration deployments flying all types of mission profiles. The Block III Super Hornet is compatible with STOBAR and CATOBAR take-offs.
Today, the Indian Navy has eight P-8I long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft and more are expected to be delivered. The F/A-18 Super Hornets can optimally interface with the P-8I and other U.S. platforms soon to be inducted in the Indian Navy. This is sure to augment the lethality of these platforms, enhancing India’s force projection capabilities.
With both one-seat and two-seat variants, the Super Hornet directly aligns with the Indian Navy’s training philosophy and mission set. Both these variants are capable of performing all missions from the carrier. The two-seat variant is able to provide training capabilities aligning with Indian Navy’s concept of operations for the carrier qualification of a fighter pilot.
Furthermore, the Block III Super Hornet may serve as a conduit to the U.S. Naval Aviation ecosystem, enabling the sharing of tactics, technological upgrades and knowledge. It unlocks the potential of cooperation with the sharing of best practices in modern naval aviation systems, know-how, services and training.
Superior Economics
The Super Hornet’s proven track record of reliability, readiness and affordability ensure the lowest risk, most cost-effective solution over the total life cycle. Available at a predictable and affordable cost, with operational flight hour costs that have been documented by U.S. Government to be the lowest among U.S. fighter aircraft in production, the Super Hornet saves billions of dollars over the aircraft’s 10,000+ hour lifetime. Its cost per flight hour is lower than single-engine aircraft and fifth-generation aircraft among U.S. tactical aircraft inventory in production. A constant focus on supporting both the design and upgrades philosophy by Boeing and its industry partners has enabled superior economics for the Super Hornet.
Currently, more than 550 Super Hornets operate in the U.S. Navy and are with the navies or air forces of other countries. With 106 Block III orders for the U.S. Navy and international air forces of the world, combined with a modernized production line delivering aircraft, and long term sustainment and upgrade programs, the Super Hornet will be in service through at least 2050s with high mission readiness rates. The growth potential of the Super Hornet will assure new capabilities to the Indian Navy in the most economical manner since it also factors in a technology insertion capability roadmap.
Along with this extended growth potential, the Super Hornet provides a low-risk transition path to an aircraft that is ready to operate on day one, allowing India to effectively safeguard its country while also adding significant and tactically relevant contributions to coalition operations.
‘By India – For India’ Sustainment
Beyond manufacturing, Boeing’s ‘For India – By India’ sustainment program builds on the company’s nearly eight decades of history in the country, leveraging existing programs, growing supply chain capabilities and partnering with the local industry.
As it has for every United States Naval aviator and maintainer, Indian Navy personnel will receive the knowledge and skills required for acceptance, operation, maintenance, repair, and deployment of their F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet. The Super Hornets will be sustained in India, in partnership with the Indian Navy as well as India and U.S.-based partners throughout the lifecycle of the aircraft. This will further enable its growth and develop advanced expertise in maintenance, resulting in higher availability of the aircraft, at competitive pricing and reduced risk for the Indian Navy.
