Forum: Modern Military Aircraft

Hello everyone. I'm new and this is my first post so please go easy on me. I am very curious as to the differences in roles/missions between the single seat E and dual seat F variants of the Super Hornet. Does anyone know if there are any major differences in the missions these aircraft undertake within the carrier battle group? I would think that the addition of a WSO would dramatically reduce pilot workload, but is that the only reason for the two seater? I have also noticed that nearly every USN squadron flies either one variant or the other (a notable exception being VFA-122). Why is this?

Another thing I've picked up on is that flight demonstrations seem to always be flown by the two seat F variant. Why? They need two guys to fly a demo? Are they trying to make the two seater attractive to potential foreign buyers?

Thanks for the help!

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Regardless of why exactly they chose the F model as the official air-show bird Shrug

, it's most likely giving some great additional flight training opportunities for a 2nd pilot in the back? I'd be surprised if that other passenger is a mere WSO. Interesting questions though. Welcome.

weez wrote:

Hello everyone. I'm new and this is my first post so please go easy on me. I am very curious as to the differences in roles/missions between the single seat E and dual seat F variants of the Super Hornet. Does anyone know if there are any major differences in the missions these aircraft undertake within the carrier battle group? I would think that the addition of a WSO would dramatically reduce pilot workload, but is that the only reason for the two seater? I have also noticed that nearly every USN squadron flies either one variant or the other (a notable exception being VFA-122). Why is this?

Another thing I've picked up on is that flight demonstrations seem to always be flown by the two seat F variant. Why? They need two guys to fly a demo? Are they trying to make the two seater attractive to potential foreign buyers?

Thanks for the help!

The F-models perform fleet defense, tactical reconnaissance, and airborne forward air control in addition to what the more ground attack oriented Es do. In a combat situation, you'll generally see the Fs working as sort of a command bird direction Es and legacy Hornets to ground and air targets. For air to air, the F also has dual cockpit JHMCS with either the pilot or WSO able to fire sidewinders.

Can they each use Sidewinders to engage their own individual targets simultaneously?

Thanks guys, that was very helpful. Ever since getting up close to these Super Hornets and watching an outstanding flight demo at a recent air show, I have become very impressed with the aircraft. Two guys with JHMCS in the F seems like a real advantage in a close in dogfight. Any new developments on boosting engine performance? More thrust would definitely seem like an improvement on an airplane that is already very agile.

weez wrote:

Thanks guys, that was very helpful. Ever since getting up close to these Super Hornets and watching an outstanding flight demo at a recent air show, I have become very impressed with the aircraft. Two guys with JHMCS in the F seems like a real advantage in a close in dogfight. Any new developments on boosting engine performance? More thrust would definitely seem like an improvement on an airplane that is already very agile.

There's an upgrade to the F414 with about 26k on afterburner.

madrat wrote:

Can they each use Sidewinders to engage their own individual targets simultaneously?

Yes.

Is the upgrade to the F414 actually going into effect or is it still just a proposal at this point?

weez wrote:

Another thing I've picked up on is that flight demonstrations seem to always be flown by the two seat F variant. Why? They need two guys to fly a demo? Are they trying to make the two seater attractive to potential foreign buyers?

Thanks for the help!

Neil Anderson used to say they took the 2 seater to Paris so they could give rides to prospective customers. I believed him.
fisk

Not the best video quality but certainly one of, if not the most impressive Super Hornet air show demos at least, I've seen on the net. Recorded from 2010 RIAT..

How it could perform with the upgraded 2x 25k thrust, one could only wish to see..

And maybe fisk is on to something and the back seater was a MoD or RN top brass??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxKLwF5BBUw

The bunt over at 1:04 had to feel REAL pleasant. Smile

weez wrote:

Is the upgrade to the F414 actually going into effect or is it still just a proposal at this point?

Currently in testing.

The F is used in the Navy's Tactical Demo team at 122 and 106 because having a WSO in back allows them to go lower than the legacy Hornet. The single seat C model has a min alt of 500' while the Rhino demo goes down to 200'. And yes it is a WSO in the back during the Navys Demo. When the Boeing Rep flies the demo (Paris, England, etc..) he flies the demo alone in a F model. The F is also used to give rides to certain individuals at the foreign airshows, but not during the demo.

Interesting.. Thanks for the clarification, INO.

So is there a minimum altitude on the single seat E Super Hornet as well?

INO wrote:

The F is used in the Navy's Tactical Demo team at 122 and 106 because having a WSO in back allows them to go lower than the legacy Hornet. The single seat C model has a min alt of 500' while the Rhino demo goes down to 200'. And yes it is a WSO in the back during the Navys Demo. When the Boeing Rep flies the demo (Paris, England, etc..) he flies the demo alone in a F model. The F is also used to give rides to certain individuals at the foreign airshows, but not during the demo.

The F is used in Demos for the same reason that Blue Angels #7 is a B, can't put local dignitaries or local press in a single seater.

Forum: Modern Military Aircraft

Super Hornet variant questions