F-18 Super Hornet (wallpaper 4) aircraft photo gallery | AirSkyBuster

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F-18 Super Hornet (wallpaper 4). F-18 Super Hornet aircraft images wallpaper gallery 4. F-18 Super Hornet airplane pictures collection 4. The U.S. Navy currently flies both the F/A-18E single-seater and F/A-18F two-seater in combat roles, taking the place of the retired F-14, A-6 Intruder, S-3 Viking, and KA-6D. An electronic warfare variant, the EA-18G Growler, will replace the aging EA-6B Prowler. The Navy calls this reduction in aircraft types a "neck-down". In the Vietnam War era, the Super Hornet's capabilities were covered by no less than the A-1/A-4/A-7 (light attack), A-6 (medium attack), F-8/F-4 (fighter), RA-5C (recon), KA-3/KA-6 (tanker) and EA-6 (electronic warfare). It is anticipated that $1 billion in fleet wide annual savings will result from replacing other types with the Super Hornet. In 2003, the Navy identified a flaw in the Super Hornet's under wing pylons, which could reduce the aircraft's service life unless repaired. F-18 Super Hornet (wallpaper 4). F-18 Super Hornet aircraft images wallpaper gallery 4. F-18 Super Hornet airplane pictures collection 4. The problem has been corrected on new airplanes and existing airplanes will be repaired starting in 2009. After initial fleet integration began, Boeing upgraded to the block II version of the aircraft, incorporating an improved AESA radar, changing to larger displays, integrating joint helmet mounted cuing system, and replacing many aircraft avionics. The F/A-18E/F's radar cross section was reduced greatly from some aspects, mainly the front and rear. The design of the engine inlets reduces the aircraft's frontal radar cross section. The alignment of the leading edges of the engine inlets is designed to scatter radiation to the sides. Fixed fanlike reflecting structures in the inlet tunnel divert radar energy away from the rotating fan blades. The Super Hornet also makes considerable use of panel joint serration and edge alignment. Considerable attention has been paid to the removal or filling of unnecessary surface join gaps and resonant cavities. Where the F/A-18A-D used grilles to cover various accessory exhaust and inlet ducts, the F/A-18E/F uses perforated panels that appear opaque to radar waves at the frequencies used. Careful attention has been paid to the alignment of many panel boundaries and edges, to direct reflected waves away from the aircraft in uniformly narrow angles. F-18 Super Hornet (wallpaper 4). F-18 Super Hornet aircraft images wallpaper gallery 4. F-18 Super Hornet airplane pictures collection 4.