Super Hornet Built for Carrier Ops Completes Demonstration Tests for India

The Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III has shown it can operate off Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers during tests at Indian Naval Station Hansa in Goa, India.

Two U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets completed multiple ski-jumps, roll-in and fly-in arrestments, as well as performance flights, in a variety of weights in the air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-surface configurations, meeting the Indian Navy test requirements, Boeing said in a release.

The tests followed eight ski-jumps in various weights and configurations during previous tests held at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River in Maryland in late 2020 that demonstrated the Super Hornet’s ability to operate from a short takeoff but arrested recovery (STOBAR) aircraft carrier.

Last week, the Block III variant showcased its ability to control three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

With the indigenous twin-engine deck-based fighter a decade away, India will be buying 26 carrier-based fighters for soon to be commissioned INS Vikrant (Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 or IAC-1). INS Vikrant is being constructed by the Cochin Shipyard. It is currently taking part in sea trials near the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, and will reportedly enter service in mid-August this year.

The Super Hornet is competing with French Rafale-Marine for the contract.

The Rafale-M was put through rigorous trials at the 283m mock-up ski jump facility. It was apparently be the first time that the jet will prove its compatibility with a ski jump ramp, used in lieu of catapult launch gear in the short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) concept of operations. The SBTF also replicates the carrier recovery process, with arrester wires on the runway for landings.

The Rafale-M is designed to operate from the French Navy’s nuclear-powered Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier which is configured with catapult launch gear. It is also the only non-U.S. fighter cleared to operate from U.S. carriers.

India already has a Rafale maintenance and flight training centre at Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana.