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CAF
Air Marshal Angus Houston sits in a HUG 2.1 upgraded F/A-18
Hornet while associated dignitaries look on.
Photo by LAC Clint Siggins
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COMPLETION
of the second in a series of four F/A-18 Hornet upgrades was celebrated
at a special ceremony at RAAF Base Williamtown on August 27.
CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston joined representatives of the Air
Force, the US Defence Force and Boeing to witness the unveiling
of the final Hornet Upgrade (HUG) Phase 2.1 modified F/A-18 aircraft.
HUG represents the first major upgrade of the Hornet weapons system
since the delivery of the aircraft in the mid-1980s.
An earlier upgrade involved the installation of jamming-resistant
radios, upgraded mission computers and avionics and software.
Future upgrades will feature an improved electronic warfare suite
and situational awareness and data link systems.
Commander of Air Combat Group Air Commodore John Quaife said it
was a magnificent milestone in the upgrade program.
“These revamped Hornets are now equipped with a new radar
system, which will significantly improve the aircraft’s targeting
capabilities,” he said.
“The upgrade maintains the ADF’s air combat capability
edge.
“The following Hornet upgrade phases are aimed at maintaining
an effective combat capability in a hostile electronic attack
environment.”
AIRMSHL Houston said the success of the HUG 2.1 Hornets that flew
in Iraq earlier this year were indicative of the
success of the HUG project.
“The modifications reinforced the multi-role capability of
the F/A-18 – for example, being able to conduct Defensice
Counter Air missions while carrying laser-guided bombs to enable
a quick role change to conduct strike missions against selected
targets,” he said.
“This flexibility and adaptability is what earned the No.
75 Squadron detachment the praise and admiration of many coalition
partners during Operation Falconer.
“The success of the HUG 2.1 project is very much a team effort,
and special thanks go to those Air Force members involved over
the years, the Defence Material Organisation, Boeing, the US Navy
and the Boeing and Raytheon industry teams.”
Action
station at Amberley
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Aircraftman
Robert Edwards, of No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron, shows
Andrea McSkimmings and Hayley White a gun buggy during the
Triple M radio station’s recent live broadcast from
the Queensland air base. The breakfast program featured
interviews with personnel and gave listeners an insight
into life on the base and in the Air Force.
Photo by
LAC Steve Hobbs
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