F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet - discussione ufficiale

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Eccolo qui. Il videogioco simulato nella realtà,o meglio che integra velivoli e riduce i costi.

 

Interessante, spero altrettanto formativo della simulazione "live", anche se nutro delle riserve.

[Andrea75]

dallo US GAO Better Cost Estimates Needed for Extending the Service Life of Selected F-16s and F/A-18s

 

The Air Force plans to upgrade and extend the service life of 300 F-16 aircraft and the Navy 150 F/A-18 aircraft, at a combined cost estimated at almost $5 billion in fiscal year 2013 dollars.

 

The Air Force plans to extend the service life of selected F-16s by 2,000 flying hours each as well as install capability upgrades such as an improved radar. The Air Force estimates that it will complete this work by 2022 at a cost of $2.61 billion. About 28 percent of the projected costs are included in the Air Force's spending plans through 2017, with the remainder expected to be incurred in 2018-2022.

 

The Navy plans to extend the service life of selected F/A-18s by 1,400 flying hours each and may install capability upgrades on some of the 150 aircraft--such as adding the ability to integrate with newer aircraft. The Navy projects that it will complete the life extension by 2018 at a cost of $2.19 billion, with most of these costs included in its spending plans through 2017, but costs associated with any upgrades are not included in the Navy estimate or in its spending plans.

 

Air Force and Navy officials told GAO that they could ultimately extend the service life of up to 650 F-16s and 280 F/A-18s if needed to attain desired inventory levels.

 

The Air Force's and Navy's cost estimates to upgrade and extend the service life of selected fighter aircraft exhibit some characteristics of a high-quality cost estimate but do not reflect all potential costs. The estimates were: well-documented since they identified data sources and methodologies; accurate since they accounted for inflation and were checked for errors; and mostly comprehensive since they included the work planned and identified key assumptions. However, the estimates were not fully credible in part because they did not assess the extent to which the total costs could change if additional work is done or more aircraft are included in the programs. Another factor affecting the credibility of the estimates is that they have not been compared to an independently developed estimate. GAO's past work has shown that such an independent cost estimate is one of the best validation methods since an independent cost estimate tends to be higher and more accurate than a program office estimate. Air Force and Navy officials told GAO that they use Department of Defense and military department guidance that allows for some variation in how the estimates are developed depending on the dollar value and maturity of the program. However, these programs--which are critical to maintain fighter capability and capacity as current inventory ages--total almost $5 billion and the costs will increase if program quantities and scope increase. Without fully credible cost estimates, including an analysis of how much total costs may increase, decision makers will not have visibility into the range of potential costs, which could hinder their ability to formulate realistic budgets and make informed investment decisions.

 

 

Global F/A-18 Hornet Fleets: Keeping ‘Em Flying

 

The lateness of the F-35, and high flight-hour usage over Iraq and Afghanistan, are making it hard to keep fighter numbers up. Current USAF plans involve $2.61 billion to upgrade at least 300 of 1,020 F-16s to fly another 2,000 hours (est. 6-8 years) each, add more advanced radars, etc. The USN would spend about $2.19 billion to keep 150 of 624 F/A-18A-D Hornet fighters flying for another 1,400 flight hours (est. 5 years) each, alongside a separate buy of 41 more F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

 

The alternative is a more expensive approach that would buy new F-16s or Super Hornets. They would cost much more, but last 4x-5x as long. The problem is that the cost of new planes is known, but costs of fixing existing aircraft to cover for additional F-35 delays or add new capabilities aren’t as clear. F-16 upgrades could rise to 650 planes, and F/A-18 Hornet life extension could rise to 280 planes, with the possibility of added capability upgrades.

 

The US Navy’s 2011 plan for its Hornet fleet would take place over FY 2013-2017. The planes to be upgraded would be specially chosen, presumably for low wear and structural integrity. They would also be individually evaluated for capability enhancements, but those aren’t in the $2.19 billion budget. Current estimates involve another $1.76 million per Hornet for capability upgrades, and an average of $5.64 million more if the Hornets need structural life extension and obsolescence replacement. That gives us a figure of between $2.19 – $3.3 billion if 150 Hornets are upgraded ($14.6 – $22 million per plane), and the upper ends of that figure offer poorer long-term value for money than buying a new Super Hornet in the mid-$60 million range.

 

If costs are linear, the total for a 280 plane program would be between $4.09 – 6.16 billion, but costs are often not linear. Hence the GAO’s recommendation to do a full sensitivity analysis, so decision makers can fully understand the range of Navy costs between $2.19 – $6.16 billion.

[ChriF18]

Grandissimo caccia, uno dei miei preferiti.. e poi su BF3 e devastante

[Andrea75]

Notizie dalla Finlandia Lockheed Martin Receives JASSM® Contract for Integration : missili cruise per i F-18C/D Hornets.

 

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] received a $5.1 million Foreign Military Sale contract from the U.S. Air Force to support integration of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) onto the Finnish Air Force (FiAF) F-18C/D aircraft.

The contract is for the first phase of a six-year effort of software development and aircraft integration support. Additional contract awards are expected for remaining phases of integration support, missile procurement and post-production support. Finland is the second international customer for JASSM, following the Commonwealth of Australia, which became the first export customer in February 2006.

“JASSM plays a critical role in giving allied warfighters the operational flexibility, reliability and effectiveness necessary to complete their missions,” said Alan Jackson, director of strike systems in Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business. “The team has worked hard to be able to deliver this vital and affordable capability to our allied partners.”

JASSM integration will coincide with the FiAF Mid-Life Two upgrade of their F-18 aircraft. The U.S. Navy will lead the integration effort in coordination with the U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin and the FiAF. Integration activities will take place at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, Calif.

The award aligns with the recent JASSM Production Lot 10 procurement contract to employ economies of scale, reducing cost for both the U.S. Government and Finland. JASSM on the

F-18C/D enables Finland to fulfill its regional defense role, as well as its European community and North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Partnership for Peace responsibilities.

The contract award follows several recent JASSM program milestones, including the Lot 10 contract award, certification of JASSM on the Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 and successful integration on the U.S. Air Force F-15E.

 

Finland to Buy Cruise Missiles for its Hornets

 

It’s the 1st phase of a 6-year software development and aircraft integration support program, with additional contract awards expected for the remaining phases of integration support, missile procurement and post-production support. For convenience and economies of scale, the award aligns with the FY 2012 JASSM Production Lot 10 procurement contract.

Finland becomes the 2nd international customer for JASSM, whose integration will coincide with the FiAF’s F/A-18 Mid-Life Two upgrades.

 

AGM-158 JASSM F-18C/D Hornets

[Mustanghino]

questo shopping da parte dell'aviazione finlandese non credo sia stato bene accolto in Russia..... non ricordo le performance degli AGM-158, ma di sicuro non vengono lanciati verso i mortai che martellano il proprio aeroporto

[Andrea75]

Global F/A-18 Hornet Fleets: Keeping ‘Em Flying

 

Dec 3/12: Engines. General Electric in Lynn MA receives a 3-year, $265 million performance based logistics contract to provide repair, replacement and program support of 35 components used in F404 engines, which equip F/A-18A-D Hornets.

 

Nov 21/12: USN Life Extension. Boeing in St. Louis, MO receives a $9.8 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification for additional engineering analyses in support of the F/A-18A-D Service Life Extension Program.

[Andrea75]

Australian F-18 Super Hornet Achieves Final Operational Capability

 

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) fleet of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft have achieved Final Operational Capability (FOC).

This is a major milestone for the Super Hornet fleet and is a major step forward for Australia’s Air Combat Capability

The Super Hornet fleet enhances Australia’s Air Combat Capability and ensures Australia’s Air Combat Capability regional edge is maintained until the introduction into service of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter.

FOC is declared when the entire capability can be deployed on Defence operations. FOC takes into account not only the aircraft itself but also logistics, management, sustainment, facilities and training.

The Super Hornet is built by Boeing at its production line in St Louis, Missouri and has been flown by the United States Navy since 2001.

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

 

 

... e, in caso di cancellazione degli F35, Australia Considers More F/A-18s If Joint Fighter Delayed By Reuters

 

Australia will look at buying 24 more Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets in the event of any major new setbacks to the controversial Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter project, Defence Minister Stephen Smith said on Thursday.

That means Australia could buy fewer stealth F-35 Joint Strike Fighters than originally planned and is another sign that development partners are growing frustrated by delays and cost overruns to the $396 billion programme, which is the costliest programme in Pentagon procurement history.

The announcement comes a day after Canada also said it would look to other options for its jet fighters due to mounting concerns over the development and cost of the F-35s.

“Australia’s air combat capability is a vital part of our national security framework. The government will not allow a gap in our air combat capability to occur,” Smith said on Thursday.

Australia foreshadowed the decision in May, when it delayed orders for its first squadron of F-35s by two years to help with budget savings and to put Australia’s F-35s on the same timetable as those for the United States.

Australia originally planned to by up to 100 F-35s, for up to $16.4 billion, but has made no commitment beyond its first 14 aircraft. Australia has committed to two joint strike fighters to be delivered in 2014-15, but they will remain in the United States for testing and pilot training.

It was due to decide by the end of this year on the timing of its next order of 12 F-35s, but that decision has now been pushed back to next year, while the government considers options to replace its Classic F/A-18s.

Australia’s fleet of 71 Classic F/A-18 Hornets entered service between 1985 and 1990 and were due to retire by around 2020.

Australia also has 24 of the new generation F/A-18F Super Hornets, which entered service in 2010 and 2011, and 12 of those have been upgraded with sophisticated U.S. jamming equipment.

Smith said Australia would write a letter of request to the United Sates, seeking cost and availability information for an extra 24 Super Hornet under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales programme. But he said no decision had been made to buy more Super Hornets.

Australia is one of the eight international partners helping fund the development of the F-35, although delays and increased costs, as well as budget pressures, have prompted some countries to wind back or delay their orders.

Modificato 14 Dicembre 2012 da Andrea75

[Andrea75]

Pentagon Contract Announcement (Growler USA)

 

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $101,862,000 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-09-C-0086) to exercise an option for the procurement of 12 EA-18G Lot 37 Full Rate Production (FRP) Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) Kits.

Work will be performed in Baltimore, Md. (41.1 percent); St. Louis, Mo. (36.3 percent); Bethpage, N.Y. (19 percent); and Fort Wayne, Ind. (3.6 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2015.

Contract funds in the amount of $101,862,000 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

 

 

Pentagon Contract Announcement (Growler aussie)

 

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $164,000,000 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-09-C-0086) to exercise an option for the procurement of 12 Airborne Electronic Attack Group B Kits and four Equivalent Ship-sets of spares for the Royal Australian Air Force.

This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to the Government of Australia (100 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.

Work will be performed in Baltimore, Md. (41.1 percent); St. Louis, Mo. (36.3 percent); Bethpage, N.Y. (19 percent); and Fort Wayne, Ind. (3.6 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2015.

Contract funds in the amount of $164,000,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Modificato 21 Dicembre 2012 da Andrea75

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Un bellissimo video sull'F-18 Hornet.

[fabio-22raptor]

Visto il video... e sempre dello stesso autore ho visto l'altro.. in quest'ultimo al minuto 01:52 si vede una manovra spettacolare...scusate l'ot ma se avete tempo guardatelo...merita...

[madmike]

 

 

 

... e, in caso di cancellazione degli F35, Australia Considers More F/A-18s If Joint Fighter Delayed By Reuters

 

Certo che oramai con i prezzi non si capisce più nulla: nell'articolo sopra citato si parla di

 

Australia originally planned to by up to 100 F-35s, for up to $16.4 billion

 

e sappiamo tutti che questi prezzi non esistono più. Poi qualche giorno fa, in Australia, si parla di 90m.USD a esemplare.

 

Ora questo editoriale

 

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/editorial/scanning-the-sky-for-the-f35-20130128-2dh3r.html

 

In one of its last major defence acquisitions, the Howard government decided to spend $6 billion acquiring 24 Super Hornet aircraft. The Rudd government reviewed the decision shortly after coming to power in 2007, and though professional military judgments about the wisdom of the purchase were mixed, elected not to cancel the deal.

 

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/editorial/scanning-the-sky-for-the-f35-20130128-2dh3r.html#ixzz2MaXdVjMu

 

Ovvero, pare che i Super Hornet siano costati 250 milioni al pezzo.

 

BOH.

[Flaggy]

Come sempre bisogna vedere cosa c’è dentro nei contratti e in quelli dell’F-35, a seconda della fonte, si passa dal “dimenticarsi” del motore al considerare le spese della manicure della segretaria che si rompe un’unghia consegnando l’ultimo rapporto GAO a Bogdam (sarebbe plausibile se non altro per il peso del rapporto… ).
Cercando un po’ in rete comunque risulta che nei 6 miliardi di dollari dei 24 F-18E australiani c’è parecchio, anche il costo dell’addestramento e del supporto per 10 anni, senza contare che i 6 miliardi sono dollari australiani che al momento dell’acquisto corrispondevano a 4.6 miliardi di dollari americani (ora il cambio è circa 1 a 1).
Togliendo questi la cifra si dimezza, ma resta comunque alta. Dentro ci sono però anche i 35 milioni per la predisposizione a trasformare 12 aerei in Growler, pezzi di ricambio (compresi 6 motori extra) e vari equipaggiamenti.

 

Come sempre nulla di così facilmente decifrabile in questi contratti.

[madmike]

appunto. Oramai le cifre sono incontrollabili.

[TT-1 Pinto]

F-18 .... si riparla di serbatoi esterni dorsali (Conformal Fuel Tanks) .... anche se i dubbi sono parecchi ....

 

US Navy may add conformal fuel tanks to F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet ....

 

The US Navy is considering adding conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) onto its fleet of Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighters, sources say.

The twin dorsally mounted tanks are expected to be tested this summer.

 

Fonte .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-navy-may-add-conformal-fuel-tanks-to-fa-18ef-super-hornet-fleet-383701/

 

 

Queste immagini, puramente dimostrative, circolarono un paio di anni fa .... al tempo della proposta, da parte di Boeing, relativa allo "International Super Hornet" ....

 

http://oi47.tinypic.com/2mzwk7s.jpg

 

 

 

 

[Flaggy]

Riprendendo anche il vecchio articolo postato qualche pagina indietro in occasione della presentazione dell’Super Hornet international, si leggeva come i serbatoi conformi non causassero un aumento di resistenza e dessero anzi un contributo alla portanza.
In realtà, come sempre, un velivolo è frutto di compromessi e quest’ affermazione può esser vera in crociera (subsonica), ma non necessariamente in tutto l’inviluppo di volo, perché bisogna sempre considerare che un serbatoio conforme, sia esso applicato a un F-15E, a un F-16, ad un F-18 o anche agli europei Rafale o EF-2000 (i TR3 ne sono predisposti), tendenzialmente determina un aumento della sezione di fusoliera in una zona di per se critica come quella in cui si innesta l’ala e comunque altera pesantemente l'andamento delle sezioni di fusoliera.

Nei vecchi articoli Boeing aveva parlato di una conformazione di questi serbatoi tale addirittura da rispettare ancor meglio la regola delle aree piazzando gran parte del carburante supplementare davanti all’ala e migliorando così la resistenza transonica, ma pare ora che ora le dichiarazioni siano più caute, almeno finché non si faranno le prove di volo.
In generale la regola delle aree richiede infatti una riduzione della sezione di fusoliera per controbilanciare l’aumento di sezione prodotta dall’ala, ma si richiede comunque che la variazione di sezione per tutta la lunghezza del velivolo avvenga con una certa linearità.
Non sembra il caso dell’F-18E, specie con i nuovi serbatoi.

I nuovi CFT a quanto pare produrranno comunque un aumento della resistenza nel volo transonico e un peggioramento delle prestazioni di accelerazione fra mach 0.8 e 1.2, il dato ormai reso famoso dal recente rilassamento delle specifiche relative all’F-35.
La causa è sempre la medesima: in effetti la necessità sempre più pressante di sistemare parecchio carburante, armamento e magari delle stive in posizione baricentrica rende sempre più difficile soddisfare in modo ottimale i requisiti dell’aerodinamica transonica.

I tempi dei motori assetati di carburante e dal rapporto spinta/peso basso sono però passati, come quelli della corsa al sempre più veloce (e purtroppo della pulizia delle linee…), e una brutale spinta dei propulsori diventa quindi la via più rapida per ovviare al problema transonico e nel contempo beneficiare dei vantaggi nel resto dell’inviluppo di volo dove il carburante supplementare si traduce in preziosa autonomia.
4 tonnellate di spinta in più quindi non guasterebbero certo a un velivolo già penalizzato da un’aerodinamica non ottimizzata per il volo supersonico e sporcata ulteriormente da quei piloni subalari così sgraziatamente divergenti, ma il dilemma della Navy è che gli aerei cui aggiungere i serbatoi conformi sono già stati prodotti, non hanno tale motore e non possono averlo a poco.
La prudenza è quindi dettata dall’attesa di dati concreti su cui ragionare.

[TT-1 Pinto]

Boeing presenta al Salone LIMA un F/A-18F munito di CFT .... però sotto forma di mock-up ....

 

Conformal tanks add fuel to Super Hornet campaign ....

 

Boeing is displaying a mock-up of a proposed conformal fuel tank fit (CFT) for its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet combat aircraft at the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition in Malaysia.

 

Fonte .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/lima-conformal-tanks-add-fuel-to-super-hornet-campaign-383904/

[TT-1 Pinto]

Il numero di Aprile del mensile "AIR International" ....

 

 

 

.... testé uscito in Gran Bretagna, contiene uno speciale dedicato allo EA-18G Growler ....

 

 

 

This FREE 56-page EA-18G Growler supplement details the mission, aircraft types, systems and worldwide combat operations.

[TT-1 Pinto]

E' confermato .... questa estate Boeing darà l'avvio ad un programma dimostrativo concernente possibili miglioramenti da apportare al "Super Hornet" ....

 

Boeing to demo Super Hornet enhancements in summer ....

 

"We're actually doing a demo project this year, in concert with Boeing, to look at the conformal fuel tanks and the weapons pod there and some further signature enhancement efforts," says Capt Frank Morley, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) programme manager for the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G.

"That's not a navy programme of record but the demo is something that's supported by OPNAV [Office of the Chief of Naval Operations] and certainly by the programme."

 

Fonte .... http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-to-demo-super-hornet-enhancements-in-summer-384367/

 

 

CAPT. FRANK “SPANKY” MORLEY Program manager, F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265).

BIO: Born in Miami, raised in Kansas, Missouri and Arizona; married.

WORDS OF WISDOM FOR ASPIRING MAJOR PROGRAM MANAGERS: “Most of us come in to fly, then discover we have to lead. We grow to like it. At this level, it’s about solving problems. You’ve got to commit -- it’s a lot of time and effort. Great leadership support is important. My predecessor in the [F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office] was Rear Adm. [Mark] Darrah. He took an interest in me and answered my stupid questions. It doesn’t matter how you got here; it matters how you do.”

(U.S. Navy photo)

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Dal tuo link, è interessante anche leggere questo: "But the same enhanced engine could be software modified to provide the same amount of power as the current F414 variants but with much greater durability and fuel economy."

Cioè, una modifichina alla centralina per avere più potenza, o più economia, interessante.

[Scagnetti]

Intanto un F-18F cade nel Mar Arabico a causa di un guasto al motore(i). Era del VF-103, distaccatao sulla Eisenhower. i due membri dell'equipaggio si sono espulsi e sono stati recuperati illesi.

Modificato 9 Aprile 2013 da Scagnetti

[fabio-22raptor]

Nuovi ordini dalla terra dei canguri:

 

http://www.dedalonews.it/it/index.php/05/2013/australia-dodici-super-hornet-oggi-75-f-35-domani/

[TT-1 Pinto]

Third, while the Joint Strike Fighter project has suffered cost overruns and delays, the Government remains committed to the JSF as our principal ADF strike capability and confident of its delivery.

 

We envisage three operational squadrons of the JSF entering service beginning around 2020.

 

However, to ensure air combat capability through the transition to the Joint Strike Fighter, the Government is announcing today that it will purchase twelve new-build Growler aircraft.

 

The Growler is the electronic warfare variant of the Super Hornet.

 

This capability purchase will allow Australia to retain its existing 24 Super Hornets in their current air combat configuration whilst also maintaining 12 Growler aircraft.

 

The cost of this purchase is estimated at around $1.5 billion over the next four years and will be contained in the forthcoming budget and included in Defence’s four year forward estimates.

 

 

Fonte .... http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/transcript-remarks-launch-2013-defence-white-paper

 

Più che la notizia dell'acquisto dei 12 "Growler" è importante l'affermazione che il governo australiano intende proseguire la sua partecipazione al programma JSF ....

[TT-1 Pinto]

In produzione sino al 2020 .... così spera Boeing ....

 

Boeing Aims To Keep Building F/A-18 Jets Through 2020 ....

 

Boeing could keep building its Super Hornet fighter jet and a modified electronic attack version through 2020, the company said, given prospects for over 200 foreign sales and what it sees as up to 150 more sales to the U.S. Navy.

 

Fonte .... http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_05_10_2013_p0-577802.xml

 

[Umberto]

Nell'ultima pagina c'è scritto: "$16,000 per flight hour" Davvero? costa meno di un F 16?

Modificato 11 Maggio 2013 da Umberto

[fabio-22raptor]

io ero rimasto a 18.000$ per ora ma evidentemente il prezzo è sceso ancora. Siamo più o meno sui valori dell' F-16, rinomato per essere un campione nel rapporto costo - efficienza. La cosa che io vorrei studiare di questo aereo è come funziona il radar e come proietta le informazioni sui display, la simbologia utilizzata ecc... ma per farlo mi sà che dovrò arruolarmi (ma magari) o se casomai ci fosse una qualche anima pia in possesso di tali informazioni...