F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

In the early 1990s, the A-12 Avenger II was developed to replace the A-6 Intruder and A-7 Corsair II. The project flopped and was cancelled. However, this left the US Navy with a problem: no other aircraft was under development and a new project would take at least three decades to produce a usable product.

The Second Gulf War made it clear that the US Navy needed more combat power to keep up with the US Air Force and the already obsolete A-6 and A-7 would certainly not last another thirty years. A quick solution was required and therefore it was decided to update an existing design. McDonnell Douglas was originally going to develop the A-12. The aircraft manufacturer decided to respond to the new situation and to further develop the F/A-18 into an aircraft with heavier armament, a longer range and more advanced equipment.

In 1996 the Super Hornet flew its first test flight and it would take until 1999 before all tests were completed. A total of 3100 test flights were performed with a total duration of 4600 flight hours. Actual production started in March 1997.

The Super Hornet is now replacing many outdated aircraft types, including the A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair II, Lockheed S-3 Viking and Grumman F-14 Tomcat. A special version, the Grumman EA-18G Growler, will replace the Grumman EA-6 Prowler and take on electronic warfare duties. In short, only the US Navy's turboprops and helicopters will not be replaced by the Super Hornet.