Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels to receive newer and larger F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
defence-blog.com ^ | Aug. 14, 2018

Posted on 08/14/2018 12:52:28 PM PDT by PROCON

Photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Schumaker

Boeing has received a $17 million contract for convert nine F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft for Blue Angels flight demonstration team, said in the statement of the U.S. Department of Defense on 13 August.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has contracted Boeing for the retrofit documentation and kits to convert nine F/A-18E (single-seat) and two F/A-18F (tandem-seat) aircraft into a Blue Angel configuration in accordance with engineering change proposal 6480.

According to the DoD, work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed in December 2021.

The Blue Angels have operated Boeing F/A-18A, C, B, and D models for 30 years – far longer than they have flown any other aircraft type. The new F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft is 25 percent larger and has 40 percent more range than the F/A-18C/D, making the aircraft substantially larger than its predecessors.

The Super Hornet comes in the single-seat F/A-18E and the tandem-seat F/A-18F.

The Super Hornet has the capability, flexibility and performance necessary to modernize the air or naval aviation forces of any country. It is able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions.

The Blue Angels are the Navy and Marine Corps’ elite flight demonstration squadron. With pilots drawn from active-duty Navy and Marine flight squadrons, the Blue Angels demonstrate the incredible skills of America’s Naval and Marine pilots. The F/A-18 Hornets they fly are combat-ready aircraft that are constantly updated to meet the latest demands on the battlefield.



TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: aerosapace; aerospace; aviation; blueangels; navair; superhornet; usnavy

1 posted on 08/14/2018 12:52:28 PM PDT by PROCON
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: PROCON
Defence Blog doesn't allow hotlinking, so your pics don't show up for the rest of us.

The Marine Corps are so desperate for F/A-19C/Ds that they're taking them from the Blue Angels.

2 posted on 08/14/2018 1:01:01 PM PDT by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PROCON
I could swear some FReeper stated a few years back that the navy would not allow the Blues to get the Super Hornet as it was a front line fighter.

The added thrust should make them great to watch and hear.

3 posted on 08/14/2018 1:13:33 PM PDT by doorgunner69 (Give me the liberty to take care of my own security..........)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PROCON
In what language was this originally written? Google translate usually does a little bit better job.

Boeing has received a $17 million contract for convert nine F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft for Blue Angels flight demonstration team, said in the statement of the U.S. Department of Defense on 13 August

4 posted on 08/14/2018 1:24:55 PM PDT by PAR35
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PAR35

Sounds like the blog is outsourcing its writing to India.


5 posted on 08/14/2018 1:28:34 PM PDT by SauronOfMordor (Socialists want YOUR wealth redistributed, never THEIRS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: PROCON

Geez, isn’t this going to involve learning a whole new set of muscle memory?.


6 posted on 08/14/2018 1:37:27 PM PDT by TalBlack (It's hard to shoot people when they are shooting back at you...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PROCON

*The F/A-18 Hornets they fly are combat-ready aircraft that are constantly updated to meet the latest demands on the battlefield.*

Not what has been written elsewhere. Blue Angels demonstration aircraft are usually stripped of combat systems to make them lighter and therefore achieve better acceleration than their fleet counterparts.

It’s also been said that they get the leftovers.


7 posted on 08/14/2018 1:42:01 PM PDT by Tallguy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tallguy

The Blue Angels are flying the oldest F/A-18s in the fleet.


8 posted on 08/14/2018 1:46:17 PM PDT by pfflier
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Tallguy
It’s also been said that they get the leftovers.

What the navy has been doing to the Marines for a long time.

9 posted on 08/14/2018 2:09:34 PM PDT by doorgunner69 (Give me the liberty to take care of my own security..........)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: doorgunner69
From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs......

Do your own DD...and BTW...Sempi fi and happy birthday..from an old Army Air Cav CE/DG..67-68-69

10 posted on 08/14/2018 8:18:46 PM PDT by M-cubed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson