Boeing delivers first Super Hornet for USN Blue Angels

Boeing on 3 June reported that it has delivered the first F/A-18 Super Hornet test aircraft for the USN’s Blue Angel flight demonstration squadron.

The company has delivered 23 modified Blue Angel aircraft since 2008. It expects to deliver an additional 11 to the squadron by the end of 2020.

The first Super Hornet will now enter flight test and evaluation processes at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. The F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets are converted into Blue Angels by Boeing at the company’s Cecil Field facilities in Jacksonville, Florida.

The conversion includes an addition of an oil tank for the smoke-generation system, fuel systems that extend its operational flight time, civilian-compatible navigation software and cameras.

Adm (ret) Pat Walsh, VP of USN & USMC Services for Boeing, said: ‘As Boeing continues to support the operational fleet of Navy Super Hornets, we are excited to see this platform enter a critical phase of its journey to joining the team.’

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