Forum: Modern Military Aircraft

Hello this is about your opinion of which Super Hornet "Block III" upgrade you like. Here it goes:

GE-F414-EPE (Enhanced Performance Engine) Upgrade's it with 20% MORE THRUST which the Super Hornet will be more maneuverable and maneuver better and give it a better A2A ability.

Conformal Fuel Tanks. Increases range.

Next Gen cockpit. 5th Gen Systems.

Stealthy Enclosed weapons pod. Carries internal weapons inside

Missle laser warning. Tracks missile when fired.

IRST POD. Tracks planes and ground targets at long ranges.

So Rolling Eyes

Which is your favorite Super Hornet "Block III" Upgrade?

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Yeah, I was wondering why No CFT was included in your poll!! Smile

And I can further see that by the inclusion of EPE/enhanced engines being listed TWICE in your poll you might hold a slight bias in that department eh?? Wink

Otherwise, the whole definition of what 'Block III' entails is actually pretty undefined and relative imho.

I mean, the planned next-gen Type IV computer + next-gen displays integration alone won't necessarily translate to a so-called Block III, will it?

Yet for marketing sense, perhaps Boeing could better clarify a block type upgrade designation path...e.g., a block II+, II B, IIIA, etc?

In my assessment at least though, the credible 'next-gen' Super Hornet will need to offer a CFT configuration capacity, period, as a baseline. Then upgrade from there.

Simply, the CFT will allow the platform to better exploit a wide range of other next-gen upgrades/ehancements... such as: the proposed centerline Weapons pod (or centerline IRST/Recon pod, or Escort jamming pod), improved ATFLIR field of view, improved aerodynamics (leading to reduced annual fuel consumption for same number of hours operated), reduced RCS, increased cruising speed, improved agility and acceleration (vs performance of wing-EFT equipped SH), greater lift/reduced wing-loading thus improving control @ higher-altitude maneuvering or lower approach speeds, and increase overall flexibility and combinations of the Tactical load-out configuration.

The CFT might also be an incentive and amplify the justification for investing in the proposed F414 engine upgrade as a package deal.

Anyway, most likely there will be an 'incremental', prudent upgrade path to look for, over the next 3-7 years (by 2020) and not so much an all-inclusive ultra block III SH with everything envisioned by integrated into the model all at once..

So I'd list priority as: Type IV mission computer, CFT, displays, common MAWS+laser warner (either being skin-mounted or externally integrated), Radar/ESM enhancements, enhanced engine, wing and hard point aero-dynamic enhancement (similar wing fix as the Growler (?)), and lastly, external weapon pod. Note: the IRST tank/pod is apparently already available.

geogen wrote:

Yeah, I was wondering why No CFT was included in your poll!! Smile

And I can further see that by the inclusion of EPE/enhanced engines being listed TWICE in your poll you might hold a slight bias in that department eh?? Wink

Otherwise, the whole definition of what 'Block III' entails is actually pretty undefined and relative imho.

I mean, the planned next-gen Type IV computer + next-gen displays integration alone won't necessarily translate to a so-called Block III, will it?

Yet for marketing sense, perhaps Boeing could better clarify a block type upgrade designation path...e.g., a block II+, II B, IIIA, etc?

In my assessment at least though, the credible 'next-gen' Super Hornet will need to offer a CFT configuration capacity, period, as a baseline. Then upgrade from there.

Simply, the CFT will allow the platform to better exploit a wide range of other next-gen upgrades/ehancements... such as: the proposed centerline Weapons pod (or centerline IRST/Recon pod, or Escort jamming pod), improved ATFLIR field of view, improved aerodynamics (leading to reduced annual fuel consumption for same number of hours operated), reduced RCS, increased cruising speed, improved agility and acceleration (vs performance of wing-EFT equipped SH), greater lift/reduced wing-loading thus improving control @ higher-altitude maneuvering or lower approach speeds, and increase overall flexibility and combinations of the Tactical load-out configuration.

The CFT might also be an incentive and amplify the justification for investing in the proposed F414 engine upgrade as a package deal.

Anyway, most likely there will be an 'incremental', prudent upgrade path to look for, over the next 3-7 years (by 2020) and not so much an all-inclusive ultra block III SH with everything envisioned by integrated into the model all at once..

So I'd list priority as: Type IV mission computer, CFT, displays, common MAWS+laser warner (either being skin-mounted or externally integrated), Radar/ESM enhancements, enhanced engine, wing and hard point aero-dynamic enhancement (similar wing fix as the Growler (?)), and lastly, external weapon pod. Note: the IRST tank/pod is apparently already available.

Sorry I didn't put Conformal Fuel Tanks up there. Mad

I thought I did put it up there. Shocked

Given that the CFT will add considerable transonic drag, but come out almost even on sub-sonic drag (because of the added lift), wouldn't they be best used in EW, buddy refueling, and permissive bomb-truck missions?

count_to_10 wrote:

Given that the CFT will add considerable transonic drag, but come out almost even on sub-sonic drag (because of the added lift), wouldn't they be best used in EW, buddy refueling, and permissive bomb-truck missions?

Could make drag to the Super Hornet. CFT'S would be very useful for the E/A-18G Growler for extended range.

Forum: Modern Military Aircraft

Your favorite Super Hornet Block III Upgrade.