While the US Navy has slightly reduced Super Hornet procurement, the type is taking a major step ahead with the Block III variant now entering testing. BOEING HAS UNVEILED the Block III Super Hornet for the US Navy. It officially rolled out the first two-seat F/A-18F in the new configuration at its production facility in St Louis, Missouri, on May 8. The airframe in question is build number F287. It is one of two test aircraft that will be used to evaluate the additional features of the Block III Super Hornet, including 10×19 in large-area cockpit displays and an airframe life extended from the previous 6,000 to '9,000-plus' flight hours. Notably, the aircraft emerged from the factory without the new conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) fitted, which will add 3,500lb (1,588kg) of fuel to increase the strike fighter's range by 100-120nm (185-222km).
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