Aviation: F/A-18E Super Hornet

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Introduction

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is the full name of the aircraft, which is relatively easy to decipher F – fighter, A – attack aircraft, E/F – single/dual-seat variant, Super Hornet – directly indicates a significant upgrade of the past version. Naval command desired to make everything possible, and the goal was to increase range, introduce low-visibility technology, expand the area of engagement of air and ground targets, and integrate modern weapons, including cruise missiles. This comprehensive approach is explained as simply as possible; there is no room for different planes on an aircraft carrier. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is unique and can accomplish almost anything.

The Main Characteristics of the F/A-18E Super Hornet as a Unique Military Fighter

Aerodynamic Features of the Airplane

The enormous wingspan allowed the installation of two additional under-wing towers to suspend weapons. F/A-18E/F wing area increased by 25 square meters (up to 46 m2). As a result, despite the increase in weight, the aircraft reduced stall speed, and landing speed decreased by 18 km / h. The total mass of the payload placed on the six underwing and three under-fuselage suspension components is 8050 kg (Sherman, 2018). The designers increased the deflection speed of all control surfaces. For this purpose, the pressure of working fluid in the hydraulic system was raised from 210 to 350 kg/cm2 (Sherman, 2018). To improve the stability and controllability of the aircraft at high angles of attack in the wing root sections, holes were made in the wing root sections to bypass the air stream.

Lift and Thrust

Lift and drag are classified as aerodynamic forces since they come from the movement of an item through the air, such as an aircraft that is the F/A-18E. Due to the strengthening of chassis supports in particular and the design of the aircraft in general, the upgraded fighter bomber has a maximum landing weight of 4100 kg more than the F/A-18C/D. In opposition to the lift produced by air flowing over the wing, the weight pulls down on the aircraft ((Sherman, 2018). The engine’s propeller has thrust, which counters the drag brought on by air resistance.

Stability and Control

The flight control system has undergone a significant upgrade. The F/A-18E/F uses a digital electric remote control with fourfold redundancy, developed by Lockheed Martin. The mechanical backup system installed on the C/D model was utterly abandoned, and the cable is retained only in the release mechanism landing hook. The more complex EDSU consumes more power, so the number of power sources had to be increased from three on the C/D to nine on the E/F.

Peculiarities of F/A-18E Super Hornet

Slow-speed Flight

The F/A-18 E has incorporated several capabilities-enhancing technologies during the past 20 years, earning a reputation as the cornerstone of the Navy’s carrier air wing and a tried-and-true fleet leader. The service received the final F/A-18E/F Block II production aircraft in April 2020, concluding a run that includes 322 ES and 286 FS (Neilsen et al., 2019)). Due to the strengthening of landing gear supports in particular and the design of the aircraft in general, the upgraded fighter bomber has a maximum landing mass

High-Speed Flight

The F/A-18 includes a digital control-by-wire flight control system that offers outstanding handling characteristics and makes it relatively simple for new pilots to pick up the controls. The pilot may focus on using the weapons system while still having access to excellent mobility, thanks to this mechanism ((Neilsen et al., 2019)). The F/A-18 can hold against any opponent because of its thrust-to-weight solid ratio, excellent turn characteristics, and energy sustainability.

Maneuverability

Controllability and maneuverability are terms used to describe how well an aircraft can respond to the pilots’ inputs for control and how well it can move around in a particular area. The F/A-18E/F uses Lockheed-Martin’s Quad-redundant digital electric remote control system (Coder & Somers, 2020). The mechanical backup system was abandoned entirely, with cable wiring retained only in the landing hook release mechanism. The new fly-by-wire system, coupled with aerodynamic improvements, allows the F/A-18E/F to maneuver at angles of attack of 40° (Coder & Somers, 2020). In case of failures or damage of control elements or control surfaces, the EDSU reconfigures without pilot intervention to compensate for faulty nodes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, airline firms should thoroughly examine and test their aircraft to prevent more issues. Aviation bodies should conduct their certification procedures carefully and without corruption. It then produces disasters that trigger an economic collapse. One of the riskiest modes of transportation is air travel. Thus, it needs to be treated seriously and professionally. Before permitting their airlines to participate in the transportation industry, the EASA should conduct extensive studies on aircraft manufacturing businesses. Those who fall short of the requirements ought to be disregarded.

References

Coder, J. G., & Somers, D. M. (2020). Design of a slotted, natural-laminar-flow airfoil for commercial transport applications. Aerospace Science and Technology, 106, 106217.

Neilsen, T. B., Vaughn, A. B., Gee, K. L., Swift, S. H., Wall, A. T., Downing, J. M., & James, M. M. (2019). Three-way spectral decompositions of high-performance military aircraft noise. AIAA Journal, 57(8), 3467-3479.

Sherman, J. (2018). Raytheon, Northrop AESA radars pass F/A-18 ‘fit check’. Inside the Pentagon, 34(33), 13-14.

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