Boeing

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter has been named the winner of the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy. The National Aeronautic Association announced the award Friday. The award honors the Super Hornet as the top aeronautical achievement of 1999.

Boeing, the Hornet Industry Team and the U.S. Navy were recognized for "designing, manufacturing, testing and introducing into service the F/A-18E/F multi-mission strike fighter aircraft, the most capable and survivable carrier-based combat aircraft. "

"Receiving the 1999 Collier Trophy for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a tremendous honor," said Phil Condit, chairman and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company. "The selection of the Super Hornet acknowledges that this aircraft is the most versatile, capable and survivable strike fighter in the history of naval aviation. We are proud of that fact and the team that made it all possible."

Working as an integrated team, the U.S. Navy and the members of the Hornet Industry Team demonstrated the Super Hornet's superb performance, efficiency and safety throughout 1999. Specific accomplishments include completion of almost 7,000 mishap-free flight hours, and completion of the development program on schedule and under cost.

The trophy, established in 1911, is awarded each year in recognition of the greatest achievement in aeronautics and astronautics in America, the value of which has been demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year. The Collier Trophy will be presented to Boeing and the Hornet Industry Team by the president of the National Aeronautic Association at a dinner sponsored by the National Aviation Club in Washington, D.C.

Boeing has been honored with the Collier Trophy on 12 previous occasions for programs that include the DC-1/DC-2, F-4 Phantom II, 757/767, 777, Space Shuttle, V-22 Osprey and C-17 Globemaster III.

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 F414 engines, and Raytheon Co. builds the APG-73 radar.

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