Boeing

The third production model F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was delivered on schedule to the U.S. Navy by The Boeing Company today. The aircraft ferried from Lambert International Airport in St. Louis to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

The first seven production model Super Hornets will enter Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) with Navy test squadron VX-9 at Naval Air Station China Lake, Calif., in May. During OPEVAL VX-9 pilots will fly more than 800 flights in a six-month period. The aircraft will be tested in all mission areas.

The Navy has ordered 62 F/A-18E/Fs and plans to buy a minimum of 548 of the aircraft. This is the second two-seat version of the Super Hornet that Boeing has delivered. The first production model, a single-seat version, was delivered in December 1998 more than a month ahead of schedule.

As of March 14, the seven flight-test aircraft at Naval Air Station Patuxent River have completed more than 2,975 flights and flown more than 4,390 hours.

An industry team led by Boeing builds the Super Hornet. Boeing builds the forward fuselage and wings, and conducts final assembly. Northrop Grumman Corp. is the principal airframe subcontractor, supplying the center and aft fuselage. General Electric Co. produces the engines, and Raytheon Co. provides the radar.

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