Fighter Jet Super Hornet Showing Its Skills

by Miroslava Jurcik

Title

Fighter Jet Super Hornet Showing Its Skills

Artist

Miroslava Jurcik

Medium

Photograph - Photograph,composite

Description

RAAF F/A 18 Super Hornet Fighter Air Display over Sydney Harbour . This is a composite of 2 photographs of the same fighter jet.
This picture was taken 5th of October 2013, during air display on the 3rd day of the International Navy Fleet Review in Sydney.
On 3 May 2007, the Australian Government signed a A$2.9 billion contract to acquire 24 F/A-18Fs for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as an interim replacement for aging F-111s.[88] The total cost with training and support over 10 years was expected to be A$6 billion (US$4.6 billion).[89] The order was controversial. Air Vice Marshal (ret.) Peter Criss, a former Air Commander, said he was "absolutely astounded" that $6 billion would be spent on an interim aircraft,[90] and cited evidence given by the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee that the Super Hornet Block I's specific excess power is inferior to the MiG-29 and Su-30 being operated, or ordered, by multiple air forces in South East Asia. Air Commodore (ret.) Ted Bushell stated that the F/A-18F could not perform the assigned role, and that the F-111 was suitable for the strategic deterrent/strike role until at least 2020.
The first RAAF Super Hornet was completed in 2009 and first flew from Boeing's factory in St. Louis, Missouri on 21 July 2009.[100] RAAF crews began training in the USA in 2009. The RAAF's first five F/A-18Fs arrived at their home base, RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, on 26 March 2010; and were joined by six more aircraft on 7 July 2010. Following the arrival of another 4 aircraft in December 2010, the first RAAF F/A-18F squadron was declared operational on 9 December 2010.
In December 2012, the Australian government sought information from the United States about the cost of acquiring a further 24 F/A-18Fs., which may be purchased to avoid a capability gap due to F-35 program delays.[104] In February 2013, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for up to 12 F/A-18E/F and 12 EA-18G Growler aircraft with associated equipment, training and logistical support. In May 2013, Australia announced they would retain the 24 F/A-18F instead of converting them, and will order 12 new EA-18Gs.
On 24 September 2014, eight RAAF F/A-18Fs, along with a tanker, an early warning aircraft, and 400 personnel arrived in the United Arab Emirates to take part in operations against Islamic State (IS) militants. The F/A-18Fs were ready to commence attacks once ordered. On 5 October 2014, the RAAF officially started combat missions over Iraq, with a pair of F/A-18Fs armed with GPS guided bombs and a KC-30A refuelling aircraft; they returned safely to base without attacking targets. On 8 October 2014, an Australian Super Hornet conducted its first attack against IS forces, dropped two bombs on an ISIL facility in northern Iraq

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January 9th, 2016

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