By
LACW Simone Liebelt
THE F/A-18 Hornet Upgrade program (HUG) has received a major boost
with the Government announcing more than $230 million would be
spent to strengthen the Hornet’s airframe and purchase three
new flight simulators.
The major structural upgrade and simulator project will be run
concurrently with HUG Phase 2.2, which involves the implementation
of new avionics technology including improved pilot situational
awareness through LINK-16 datalink, cockpit colour displays and
a helmet-mounted cuing system.
Two earlier upgrades involved the installation of jamming resistance
radios and upgraded mission computers and radar software. HUG
2.2 modified aircraft are due to enter service in 2006.
Structural refurbishment of the Hornet will ensure it remains
airworthy until its planned withdrawal date of between 2012 and
2015, with the majority of work to be completed at RAAF Base Williamtown
by Boeing Australia and BAE Systems.
The simulator project will improve F/A-18 pilot training by incorporating
new weapons systems being acquired for the aircraft.
To be installed at RAAF Bases Williamtown and Tindal, the simulators
will be linked so pilots from both bases can practice real missions
by locking into mock battles with each other.
The potential to link the new trainers with other aircraft simulators,
such as the Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, will
give fighter pilots the opportunity to interact with other crews.
Wing Commander Joe Iervasi, Deputy Director Firepower, said while
the Government’s decision to withdraw the F-111 from service
had led to a stronger focus on the air to ground capabilities
of the Hornet, the purpose of the upgrade program was to deliver
technologically advanced air combat capability to the ADF over
the next decade.
“The F/A-18 is going to remain the ADF’s mainstay for
air combat capability through to the introduction of the Joint
Strike Fighter. And for that reason we need to ensure that the
aircrew, ground crew and support are in the appropriate condition
to ensure that we have the best capability to meet all of Defence’s
needs through that transition period,” WGCDR Iervasi said.
“I honestly believe that by the time our upgrade program
is complete, there will be few F/A-18s out there that have a better
capability than ours.”
The HUG program is due for completion by the end of 2007.
