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