Image Gallery: June 2008
Successful upgrades to F/A-18 Hornet capability
24 June 2008
As part of the Hornet upgrade program, Australia’s fleet of F/A-18 aircraft are being fitted with upgraded Radar Warning Receivers, countermeasures systems and radar jamming systems.
Earlier this year the Royal Australian Air Force accepted the Operational and Technical Airworthiness of the JDAM ‘smart-bomb’ on F/A-18A/B fighter aircraft.
The JDAM ‘smart-bomb’ provides RAAF F/A-18A/B fighters with a state-of-the-art weapon capability, allowing them to accurately employ air-to-ground weapons during day or night and in all weather conditions through the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
“These upgrades to the F/A-18 Hornet will provide the Royal Australian Air Force with leading-edge technology, ensuring the Hornet’s continued ability to operate as Australia’s frontline fighter aircraft” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“The JDAM ‘smart-bomb’ will provide the Air Force with greatly improved accuracy and weapon effectiveness, reducing the likelihood of collateral damage during offensive operations.”
“The upgrade to the Hornet’s Radar Warning Receiver is a significant achievement for the Defence Materiel Organisation as it has only been 18 months since the Raytheon ALR-67(V)3 Radar Warning Receiver was approved as part of the Hornet’s Electronic Warfare Self Protection upgrade.”
During the 18 months since approval, the project acquired the Radar Warning Systems, completed the design, integration and testing required to install and operate the new system on the Hornet. The project is within budget and on-track to deliver the complete electronic warfare self protection upgrade to the entire Hornet fleet by late 2012.
| 20070718raaf8162678_0001 A F/A-18 Hornet flying with one 2000lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) "Smart Bomb". (Date taken: 18 June 2008) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718raaf8162678_0004 A F/A-18 Hornet flying with four 500lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) "Smart Bombs" which were successfully released on a single pass against four seperate targets. (Date taken: 18 June 2008) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718raaf8162678_0007 Image of the four 500lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) "Smart Bombs" that were released from a F/A-18 Hornet in a single pass and all successfully went to separate targets. (Date taken: 18 June 2008) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718raaf8162678_0008 F/A-18 Hornet with a 500lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) "Smart Bomb" flying over the test range. (Date taken: 18 June 2008) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718raaf8162678_0009 F/A-18 Hornet taxiing with a 2000lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) "Smart Bomb". (Date taken: 18 June 2008) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718raaf8162678_0010 F/A-18 Hornet pilot conducting final checks while preparing for a trial with two 500lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) "Smart Bombs". (Date taken: 18 June 2008) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718raaf8162678_0011 F/A-18 Hornet taxiing with two 500lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) "Smart Bombs". (Date taken: 18 June 2008) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070718raaf8162678_0012 F/A-18 Hornet with two 500lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) "Smart Bombs" taxing to the runway for a trials mission. (Date taken: 18 June 2008) Low Res | High Res |
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