Aircraft
Boeing Flies Block III Super Hornet
The latest iteration of the F/A-18E/F introduces a host of improvements and additional capabilities, including conformal fuel tanks.
F287, the first production example of Boeing's Block III Super Hornet fighter, taxis out for its first flight at Lambert Field, St. Louis. (Photo: Boeing)
F287, the first production example of Boeing's Block III Super Hornet fighter, taxis out for its first flight at Lambert Field, St. Louis. (Photo: Boeing)

Boeing has flown the first Block III production example of the F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter. The June 4 flight, involving aircraft with build number F287, was conducted at the St Louis, Missouri, factory. It is the first of two Block III aircraft that will be delivered to the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Patuxent River in Maryland for tests and verification with the VX-23 squadron.

The planned trials will include carrier suitability evaluation, and also serve to familiarize the Navy with the Block III’s new avionics systems. These tests are likely to be followed by weapons trials at China Lake, California with the VX-9 squadron.

Loading…