The US Navy has abandoned plans to equip F/A-18E/F Super Hornet carrier-based aircraft with conformal fuel tanks. Boeing does not plan to supply the military with upgraded F/A-18E/F Block III aircraft with conformal fuel tanks (CFT), reports The Drive.
Conformal fuel tanks are called additional tanks that fit snugly to the profile of the aircraft. Due to this, CFTS have less impact on the aerodynamic characteristics and radar visibility of the aircraft than outboard fuel tanks.
According to the statement of the US Navy Aviation Systems Command (NAVAIR), which leads The Drive, the agency instructed Boeing to stop working on the CFT in January 2021. This decision was caused by the high cost, timing and unsatisfactory results of work on conformal fuel tanks.
In turn, representatives of the Boeing company confirmed that the F/A-18E/F Block III can receive CFT in the future, but initially the aircraft will be produced without conformal tanks. The exact reason for the rejection of CFT is unknown. Earlier, the Aviation Week portal reported that the tests of the upgraded aircraft encountered problems.
The F/A-18E/F Block III aircraft modernization program involved five key improvements, one of which was the installation of CFT. In addition, the aircraft will receive new coatings to reduce radar visibility, updated electronics and data transmission channel, as well as a new display in the cockpit.
Daniil Irinin
