In First, Navy Super Hornet Launches from Ski Jump to Prove it Can Fly Off Foreign Carriers
Boeing Super Hornet demonstrates ski-jump launch capability at demonstrations held at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, December 21, 2020. (Photo: Boeing)
30 Dec 2020
A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet has demonstrated it can take off from a ski jump ramp, proving it can someday operate from international aircraft carriers.
The Navy and Boeing Co. tested this capability at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, according to a December Boeing release. The demo was conducted for India, which is looking to buy new carrier-based fighters that can launch from its short-runway ships.
India and the handful of other countries with carriers use some version of a short-take off and landing system with its distinctive “ski jump” appearance.
In addition to being launched via steam-powered catapult, Boeing said their Super Hornet also can take off from a ski jump. The demonstration earlier this month validated simulation studies, the company said.
“The F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet will not only provide superior war fighting capability to the Indian Navy but also create opportunities for cooperation in naval aviation between the United States and India,” said Ankur Kanaglekar, India Fighter Sales lead for Boeing.
Boeing Says Its F/A-18 Super Hornet Can Operate From A ski Jump Ramp
CHICAGO (dpa-AFX) - Aircraft giant Boeing Co. (BA) claims that its F/A-18 Super Hornet can operate from a ski jump ramp, demonstrating the aircraft s suitability for India s aircraft carriers.
The company held demonstrations at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, claiming that the Super Hornet would do well with the Indian Navy s Short Takeoff but Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) system. The first successful and safe launch of the F/A-18 Super Hornet from a ski jump begins the validation process to operate effectively from Indian Navy aircraft carriers, said Ankur Kanaglekar, India Fighter Sales lead for Boeing. The F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet will not only provide superior war fighting capability to the Indian Navy but also create opportunities for cooperation in naval aviation between the United States and India.
The Super Hornet provides the most weapons at range in the U.S. Navy’s fighter inventory.
Dec 22nd, 2020
Industrial Media Staff
Boeing and the U.S. Navy proved recently that the F/A-18 Super Hornet can operate from a “ski jump” ramp.
Boeing
Boeing and the U.S. Navy proved recently that the F/A-18 Super Hornet can operate from a “ski jump” ramp, demonstrating the aircraft’s suitability for India’s aircraft carriers.
The demonstrations, held at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, showed that the Super Hornet would do well with the Indian Navy’s Short Takeoff but Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) system and validated earlier simulation studies by Boeing.
An F/A-18E from VX-23 launches from the ski jump installation at Patuxent River. (Photo: Boeing)
The F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter has successfully demonstrated that it can take off from a ski jump, Boeing has revealed in a press release and video. The trials were most likely undertaken sometime in the summer at the U.S. Navy’s principal test base at NAS Patuxent River in Maryland and were performed by the test and evaluation unit VX-23 “Salty Dogs”. The trials validated the results from extensive simulation studies, and are aimed at supporting Boeing s bid to sell the Super Hornet to the Indian Navy.