News Highlights
Two Boeing F/A18E Super Hornet fighter jets landed in Goa for trials on the Indian Navy’s Shore Based Test Facility (SBTF) to demonstrate their compatibility and suitability to operate from Indian aircraft carriers.
It was allocated to operate from INS Vikrant that was commissioned in August through catapult launch mechanism.
About Boeing F/A18E Super Hornets fighter
- The Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jets are twin engined aircraft variants based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.
- The Block III version which is currently being manufactured for the United States Navy will enable the Indian armed forces to challenge the next generation of adversaries.
Features of F/A18E Super Hornet fighter jets
- Multirole Superiority: Capable of tactical strikes, air reconnaissance, air defense, and maritime roles
- Cutting edge technologies : Enhanced computing and data link, advanced cockpit system, signature improvements
- Lifecycle Affordability: Lowest cost per flight hour among all U.S. tactical fighter in production. High mission capability rates
- Future Ready: Unrivaled growth potential to complement future air wing capabilities.
- It flies at Mach 1.6 speed
- Generation: 4.5th Generation
Significance for Indian Navy
- The F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III offers the Indian Navy an advanced, combat proven, multi-role naval fighter.
- Designed as a carrier-based fighter for high- loading, high stress operations, the F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet requires minimal support equipment .
- It will offer an impressive low cost per flight hour with high mission readiness.
- The F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet can act as a force multiplier for the Indian Navy as it interfaces with assets such as the P-8I.
About INS Vikrant
- INS Vikrant, also known as Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 (IAC-1), is an aircraft carrier constructed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for the Indian Navy.
- It is the first aircraft carrier to be built in India.
- It is named ‘Vikrant’ as a tribute to India’s first aircraft carrier, Vikrant (R11).
- It features a STOBAR configuration with a ski-jump.
- The deck is designed to enable aircraft such as the MiG-29K to operate from the carrier.
- It is expected to carry an air group of up to thirty aircraft
Catapult launch mechanism
- An aircraft catapult is a device used to allow aircraft to take off from a very limited amount of space, such as the deck of a vessel, but can also be installed on land-based runways in rare cases.
News Source: The Hindu