Article Posted on : - Aug 04, 2011

F/A-18F Super Hornet touched down at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland on 03 August. Photo: Commonwealth of Australia ( Royal Australian Air Force).

SYDNEY (BNS): The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Wednesday received two new F/A-18F Super Hornets.

The aircraft, built by Boeing at its production line in St Louis, Missouri, arrived at the RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.

It has now brought the Australian fleet to 20 with a further four aircraft to be delivered by the end of the year, according to a news report by the Department of Defence, Australia.

"The Super Hornet is one of the best fighter aircraft in the world. It has an advanced multi-mode AESA (actively electronically scanned array) radar and 'low observability' characteristics that make it significantly better than any fourth generation fighter," Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare, was quoted as saying in the report.

The Super Hornet can carry about one-third more fuel and weapons payload than the F/A-18A or F/A-18B Classic Hornet aircraft, while maintaining the same speed and handling characteristics in combat configurations.

The Super Hornet gives RAAF the capability to conduct air-to-air combat; strike targets on land and at sea; suppress enemy air defences; and conduct reconnaissance.

The first 15 Australian Super Hornets became operational in December last year – following the retirement of the iconic F-111.

A further three Super Hornets were delivered to Amberley last month.