4 photos: FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom — A Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, performs aerial acrobatics for more than 285,000 aviation enthusiasts during the Farnborough International Air Show July 19. The demo s
Photo 1 of 4: FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom — A Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, performs aerial acrobatics for more than 285,000 aviation enthusiasts during the Farnborough International Air Show July 19. The demo showcases the aircrafttâ?s exceptional handling and maneuvering capabilities during the week-long event. Nearly 70 aircrew and support personnel from bases across Europe and the United States participated in the air show. This premier global aviation event allows exhibitors to showcase the newest aerospace equipment and technology. This week-long event is open to traders during the week and to the public Saturday and Sunday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Fleshman)
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4 photos: FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom — Navy Lt. Ray Bieze, F/A-18F pilot, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Points out onboard munitions on a static F/A-18
Photo 2 of 4: FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom — Navy Lt. Ray Bieze, F/A-18F pilot, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Points out onboard munitions on a static F/A-18F Super Hornet to young aviation enthusiasts during the Farnborough International Air Show July 20. More than 285,000 trade and public visitors attend the biennial Farnborough Air Show. This year, 38 different countries are represented at 29 international pavilions. The air show will run through the week, with the last two days open to the public. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Fleshman)
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4 photos: FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom — Navy Lt. Ray Bieze, F/A-18F pilot, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. tours a group of aviation enthusiasts around an
Photo 3 of 4: FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom — Navy Lt. Ray Bieze, F/A-18F pilot, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. tours a group of aviation enthusiasts around an F/A-18F Super Hornet during the Farnborough International Air Show July 20. Lieutenant Bieze explained the different areas around the aircraft and capabilities of the Super Hornet to the group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Fleshman)
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4 photos: FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom — A Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, prepares for takeoff for an aerial demonstration during the Farnborough International Air Show July 19. The demo showcases the aircraft
Photo 4 of 4: FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom — A Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, prepares for takeoff for an aerial demonstration during the Farnborough International Air Show July 19. The demo showcases the aircrafttâ?s handling and maneuvering capabilities during the week-long event. Nearly 70 aircrew and support personnel from bases across Europe and the United States participated in the air show. This premier global aviation event allows exhibitors to showcase their newest aerospace equipment and technology. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jerry Fleshman)
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FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom — More than 285,000 visitors witnessed the superior performance and handling capabilities of the Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet during a flight demonstration at the 2010 Farnborough International Air Show July 21.
Aircrew and support personnel with the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23), are on hand to participate in this week-long event.
In addition to the daily demo performance, the aircraft is also on static display to give visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal to this combat proven aircraft.
“It’s a really awesome aircraft,” said Patrick Carlson, an aviation enthusiast who admired the Navy’s premier fighter jet. “It was really great to get up close to the Super Hornet and see the aircraft perform.”
This twin engine, mid-wing, multi-mission tactical aircraft has a number of unique characteristics which makes the F/A-18F unique when compared to other platforms. One item of interest of the Super Hornet is its launch and recovery capabilities.
“We land on aircraft carriers,” said Navy Lt. Ray Bieze, F/A-18F pilot, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. “Along with taking off and landing on aircraft carriers, this platform can do almost anything-it’s an air-to-ground attacker, an air-to-air fighter, a transit aircraft and a tanker.”
The F/A-18F Super Hornet has enhanced capabilities over the F/A-18 C/D Hornet which increases the overall effectiveness to meet diverse mission requirements. These upgrades allow the Super Hornet to carry 33% more fuel, fly 40% further and carry a 30% greater payload than previous models.
According to Bieze, the overall advancements in technology allow the war fighter to focus more on the war during battle situations instead of the simple aspects of flying the aircraft.
“This, along with the Joint Strike Fighter, is the future of naval aviation,” he said.
The F/-18F Super Hornet is on static display daily and will perform flying demonstrations in the afternoons for the duration of the 2010 Farnborough International Air Show.
