INDUstRY FEatUREBoeing’s Super Hornet International Roadmap is composed <strong>of</strong> six new advancedoptions that will enable international customers to customize capability basedon their unique requirements. The new options include: enhanced performanceengines; enclosed weapons pod; conformal fuel tanks; missile/laser warningsystem; internal infrared search <strong>and</strong> track system; <strong>and</strong> a next-generation cockpit.(Boeing photo by Ron Bookout)Next Level ... Boeing’sNew Super Hornet<strong>Spring</strong> <strong>2011</strong> ENGINEERINGWVInternational Roadmap Exp<strong>and</strong>s the Capability SpectrumBy Philip Carder, APR, Boeing F/A-18<strong>and</strong> EA-18 Communications8Boeing Test Pilot Ricardo Traven briefs journalists on the new capabilities the Super HornetInternational Roadmap delivers for international tactical aviation customers on February 8, <strong>2011</strong>, atIndia’s Air Force Station Yelahanka during the Aero India <strong>2011</strong> air show. (Boeing photo by Kevin Flynn)
<strong>WVU</strong> COllEGE OF ENGINEERING AND MINERAl RESOURCESAs international air forcesaround the world look for everincreasingcapability to meetnew threats that evolve onan almost daily basis, Boeingis applying an innovativeapproach to meet the needs <strong>of</strong>tactical aviation customers.On February 8 at India’s Air Force Station Yelahanka, locatednear the city <strong>of</strong> Bengaluru in the southern Indian state <strong>of</strong>Karnataka, thous<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> government <strong>and</strong> military <strong>of</strong>ficialsfrom around the globe got their first look at Boeing’s new F/A-18 Super Hornet International Roadmap, an aircraft outfittedwith options designed to give international customers theability to tailor their aircraft to not only defeat today’s threats,but ensure continued air dominance for decades to come.Roadmap to the FutureIn architecting the Super Hornet International Roadmap,Boeing engineers <strong>and</strong> analysts looked deep into the futureto determine what capabilities would deliver a knockoutpunch in tactical air operations in the coming decades. BretMarks, Boeing’s director <strong>of</strong> F/A-18 International Operations,said the team believes it has unearthed a gem with the newSuper Hornet options. “The Super Hornets we currentlyFeaturing a new 11 X 19 inch touchscreen display, Boeing’s next-generation cockpitfor the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet will provide pilots with an interactive 3-D perspective<strong>of</strong> the air <strong>and</strong> ground threat environments. (Boeing photo by Ron Bookout)build in St. Louis are some <strong>of</strong> the most advanced tacticalaircraft produced in the world today,” said Marks. “With theintroduction <strong>of</strong> the International Roadmap, we have providedinternational air forces with the ability to enhance currentSuper Hornet capabilities to best address the unique threatsthey will encounter in their operating environments.”Marks, who earned a bachelor <strong>of</strong> science degree inaeronautical engineering in 1984 from West VirginiaUniversity’s <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Engineering</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Mineral</strong> <strong>Resources</strong>,joined Boeing that same year as an engineer in theAerodynamic Technology Applied Research Group. Today,Marks leads Boeing’s F/A-18E/F International Programsunder the Global Strike division, located in St. Louis. “To besuccessful in the international tactical aviation market, youmust underst<strong>and</strong> the core needs <strong>of</strong> your customers,” saidMarks. “Air forces around the world need tactical aircraftthat provide the flexibility to meet current <strong>and</strong> emergingthreats. However, they also need aircraft that are affordable,<strong>and</strong> reliable, with real growth capability to ensure long-termrelevancy.”Evolutionary growthMarks, who has accumulated nearly 27 years <strong>of</strong> engineering<strong>and</strong> program management experience on tactical aircraftprograms at Boeing, said the team in St. Louis is focused onan evolutionary path <strong>of</strong> inserting new, advanced technologiesinto the combat-proven Super Hornet. “What we are doingwith this approach is maximizing capability while minimizingdevelopment risk,” he said. “When we insert these advancedapplications onto a proven platform, like we have in the SuperHornet, we eliminate much <strong>of</strong> the risk that exists with themore revolutionary approach <strong>of</strong> attempting to incorporatenew technology onto new platforms. The result is the ability to<strong>of</strong>fer truly advanced capability, while minimizing developmentcost <strong>and</strong> schedule risks. It’s a best-value approach for ourcustomers.”Six super optionsThe Super Hornet International Roadmap is composed<strong>of</strong> six new advanced options that Marks said will enableinternational customers to customize capability accordingto their needs. “The options deliver increased survivability,situational awareness, aerodynamic performance, <strong>and</strong>provide a compelling value proposition for our internationalcustomers,” said Marks. Specifically, the options include:an internal infrared search <strong>and</strong> track system (IRST); nextgenerationcockpit featuring large area displays; missile/laser warning systems; enclosed weapons pod; enhancedperformance engines; <strong>and</strong> conformal fuel tanks.“The combination <strong>of</strong> internal IRST <strong>and</strong> missile/laser warningsystems provide the war fighter with greater battlespaceawareness,” said Marks. “That’s critical in all combatoperations.” For customers who desire increased power, Markssaid pilots will see a 15 to 20 percent increase in thrust withthe enhanced performance engine.continued...»Volume 7 Issue 19
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