F/A-18F Super Hornet creates buzz at Farnborough International Air Show

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jerry Fleshman
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FARNBOROUGH, England --  More than 285,000 visitors witnessed the superior performance and handling capabilities of the Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet during a flight demonstration at the 2010 Farnborough International Air Show July 21.

Aircrew and support personnel with the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23), are on hand to participate in this week-long event.

In addition to the daily demo performance, the aircraft is also on static display to give visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal to this combat proven aircraft.

"It's a really awesome aircraft," said Patrick Carlson, an aviation enthusiast who admired the Navy's premier fighter jet. "It was really great to get up close to the Super Hornet and see the aircraft perform."

This twin engine, mid-wing, multi-mission tactical aircraft has a number of unique characteristics which makes the F/A-18F unique when compared to other platforms. One item of interest of the Super Hornet is its launch and recovery capabilities.

"We land on aircraft carriers," said Lt. Ray Bieze, F/A-18F pilot, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. "Along with taking off and landing on aircraft carriers, this platform can do almost anything-it's an air-to-ground attacker, an air-to-air fighter, a transit aircraft and a tanker."

The F/A-18F Super Hornet has enhanced capabilities over the F/A-18 C/D Hornet which increases the overall effectiveness to meet diverse mission requirements. These upgrades allow the Super Hornet to carry 33% more fuel, fly 40% further and carry a 30% greater payload than previous models.

According to Lieutenant Bieze, the overall advancements in technology allow the war fighter to focus more on the war during battle situations instead of the simple aspects of flying the aircraft. "This, along with the Joint Strike Fighter, is the future of naval aviation," he said.

The F/-18F Super Hornet is on static display daily and will perform flying demonstrations in the afternoons for the duration of the 2010 Farnborough International Air Show.