The Super Hornet multi-role fighters of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No. 1 Squadron are making their Exercise Pitch Black debut appearance.
Nine Super
Hornets are operating alongside other RAAF aircraft and international
participants for the exercise.
Commanding
Officer No. 1 Squadron, Wing Commander Murray Jones, said the Super Hornet had
brought Air Force a tremendous increase in capability at Exercise Pitch Black.
“For the first time, No. 1 Squadron has come to Exercise Pitch Black with a true multi-role capability,” WGCDR Jones said.
“Unlike the
F-111 previously operated by No. 1 Squadron, the Super Hornet can fly missions
which combine air-to-air against enemy fighters and air-to-surface strike
against ground targets.”
The Super
Hornet is equipped with advanced electronics systems which include the APG-79
Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. This provides a continuous
picture of the battlespace, whereas older mechanically-steered radars would
‘sweep’ a radar beam over the same area.
“Missions at Pitch Black can involve 60 to 80 aircraft, so it’s critical we have an uninterrupted view of what is happening in the battle space,” WGCDR Jones said.
“The
coverage of the AESA radar, combined with an excellent data-link system, means
that the Pilot and Weapons System Officer can have constant situational
awareness of what is happening all around them, and can conduct near
simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks when required.”
The power of
the Super Hornet is further extended when operating alongside other aircraft
like the Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft,
which can provide a continuous radar feed to other aircraft.
“With the information shared from the Wedgetail, it is almost as if they are an extension of our airplane,” WGCDR Jones said.
Exercise
Pitch Black 12 will be completed by August 17. Air Force expects to declare
Full Operational Capability for the Super Hornet in December.
(Aus DoD)
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