23 December 2020

F/A-18E/F demonstrates ski-jump launch for Indian carrier requirement

by Richard Scott

An F/A-18E Super Hornet successfully completes a first ski-jump launch demonstration on 13 August. (US Navy)

The US Navy and Boeing have disclosed details of testing designed to show that the F/A-18E/F Hornet strikefighter can operate from a short takeoff but arrested recovery (STOBAR) configured aircraft carrier.

Undertaken using the ski-jump facility at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River in Maryland, the test campaign was performed by an F/A-18E (BuNo 165167/SD-213) to demonstrate the F/A-18E/F’s suitability for operation from the Indian Navy’s STOBAR carriers. The testing validated earlier simulation studies, said Boeing.

The Indian Navy currently operates a single STOBAR carrier, in the form of INS Vikramaditya (ex- Admiral Gorshkov ), operating MiG-29K fighters as part of its air group. A second STOBAR ship, the indigenously designed and built INS Vikrant , has recently completed basin trials and is expected to begin sea trials in early 2021.

India in January 2018 released a request for information for its Multi-role Carrier Borne Fighter programme, which calls for the acquisition of up to 57 twin-engine carrier-borne fighters. The F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet and the French Dassault Rafale M are seen as the leading contenders for this requirement.

According to the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), a series of test events was undertaken at NAS Patuxent River in August 2020 to demonstrate F/A-18E/F ski-jump launches in a variety of load configurations. The test programme was coordinated by the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (International Business and Test and Evaluation), Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX 23), and Boeing.

The US Navy and Boeing have disclosed details of testing designed to show that the F/A-18E/F Hornet ...

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