The first F/A-18 Hornet to be fitted with the new ALR-67(V)3 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) took off from RAAF Williamtown only 18 months after the project acquisition was approved by Government. 

This milestone is a significant achievement for the Project Office which, during the 18 months, acquired the Radar Warning Systems and completed the design, integration and testing required to install and operate the new system on the Hornet.

Hornet Upgrade (HUG) Phase 2.3 Project Manager WGCDR Steve Secker said that the delivery of the Interim-Operating Capability on this complex and technical capability is a significant achievement by all Phase 2.3 Project staff.

“During the past 18 months, the entire project office has been working extremely hard to bring this capability on line in the quickest possible time,” WGCDR Secker said.

“We will continue to work hard to achieve our milestones and ensure that the remainder of the capability is delivered on time, within budget and to the capability required by the customer,” he said.

Under Phase 2.3 of the Hornet Upgrade Program, worth approximately $700 million, the Hornet fleet will receive an upgraded Electronic Warfare Self Protection (EWSP) suite which includes:

• replacement of the existing ALR-67B(V)2 Radar Warning Receiver with the ALR-67(V)3 Radar Warning Receiver;
• supplementation of the existing Countermeasures Dispensing System with additional pylon mounted chaff and flare dispensers;
• supplementation of the existing Active RF Electronic Countermeasure System with the EL-L-8222 radar ‘jammer’ pod;
• upgrade to the aircraft Operational Flight Programs Software Configurations Sets;
• upgrade of existing Cockpit Video Recording System, including a data recording capability; and
• upgrades to the test, ground support, maintenance, software and training infrastructure to support the EWSP suite in service.

The new RWR will be able to detect enemy radar at longer distances than is currently available. When working in conjunction with the soon-to-be acquired radar ‘jammer’ pod, a F/A-18 Hornet will be able to both detect and jam enemy radar at extended ranges.

The next milestone for the project is due in late 2009 and involves the installation of the new data recording system and supplementary chaff and flare dispensers.

The majority of individual elements for the project are being acquired as Military Off-The-Shelf items and considered to be low risk acquisitions. However, there is a significant level of integration sought with the Electronic Counter Measures ‘jammer’.

 The Project is maximising the use of Original Equipment Manufacture and United States Navy advice and testing to supplement the limited amount of DMO/Australian expertise in developing such an Electronic Warfare suite.