New Hornets for the Fleet: One Year of R&D in Images

NEPTUNE Magazine no.1 - January 2018 - Cover story special section

Hornets over Miramar. Welcome home. January 2018.

F/A-18 Hornet Strike Fighter

All-weather fighter and attack aircraft. The single-seat F/A-18 Hornet is the nation's first strike-fighter. It was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air support without compromising its fighter capabilities. With its excellent fighter and self-defense capabilities, the F/A-18 at the same time increases strike mission survivability and supplements the F-14 Tomcat in fleet air defense. F/A-18 Hornets are currently operating in 37 tactical squadrons from air stations world-wide, and from 10 aircraft carriers. The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron proudly flies them. The Hornet comprises the aviation strike force for seven foreign customers including Canada, Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland.

From the aircraft's United States Navy Fact File at  www.navy.mil

Captains V. Kühn and A. Kron inspect Ms. Shana Carpool's first body framework at Meridas. 01/13/2017

CAPT. Kron and Ms. Shana Carpool discuss features and frame details in the initial stages. Meridas, 04/26/2017.

Testing the seat positions in the first D model frame at Meridas. CAPT. Kron and Ms. Shana Carpool. 04/28/2017.

CAPT. Kron and Ms. Shana Carpool inspect the first landing gear applied on a C model frame. Meridas, 05/05/2017.

The first Martin Baker zero zero seat! Ms. Shana Carpool wearing an ID4 Blue Angels cap. Meridas, 07/03/2017.

An early stages model C on start up. Each engine has its own ignition. Meridas, 07/03/2017.

Determining texture application and details with a mock up livery applied. Meridas, 07/03/2017.

A historic day: The first F/A-18C BA test aircraft arrives at Miramar. 07/23/2017.

Initial livery and add on kit tests for the Blue Angels F/A-18C's at Miramar. 10/12/2017.

The frame did not always agree with the design and the drawing board was always a step away. Miramar, 10/16/2017.

A model C on trials during the International Daystar Airshow practices, with the two Blue Angels solos performing a high alpha pass on the background. The first engines were already interesting but far from finished. Daystar, 10/23/2017.

The Hornets will bring a whole new game to the Blues and the first layouts with crew chiefs for ground routines were tested at Daystar, during the trial week. Daystar, 10/29/2017.

The Blue Angels Hornets have a number of features not included in the default stock version, meant to enhance the demo role of the aircraft, from poses to engine tuning, just as in real life. Daystar, 10/29/2017.

The trials at Daystar, before the 2017 International Air Show, were fundamental for the development of the Blue Angels F/A-18C Hornet. Lessons learned were relayed to Shana Carpool Aircraft for study and application. 10/29/2017.

November, 2017. The Hornets approach demo ready condition. Two test aircraft seen at Miramar. 11/05/2017.

As the test flights start including formation flying new details are put on the table for analysis and upgrading. The idea is always to make as many upgrades as possible before releasing an operational version. From the right in hangar B at Miramar, CAPT. Vickster Kühn, Ms. Shana Carpool and CAPT. Asra Kron. And CPO Black! 11/07/2017.

Flying the Hornets means the Blue Angels will no longer use the real life demo reels as a loose guide, but rather in a very accurate way to study each maneuver. From left, LCDR. Jenny Kaz, CAPT. Asra Kron and CAPT. Vickster Kühn watch the real life diamond in action on the screen of the Roy Marlin Voris auditorium, at NAF Eagles Nest. 11/16/2017.

"There is no spoon." Back at Miramar, then LCDR. An Rainbow grows a little anxious as only the Boss and Angel 7 have been given access to test versions of the new Hornets. 11/07/2017.

The two solos did not have to wait long for their own test C models, it was time to get more input on formation conditions so "QB" and "Mistell" received the BA test planes late November last year. Miramar, 11/25/2017.

Angels 4, 6 and 5 with liveries applied on the East apron at NASM. 11/25/2017.

Ms. Shana Carpool with the mystical magical extra virgin olive oil. At every turn, when upgrades are needed, Shana is on it as soon as possible, allowing us to retest and double check all changes, some in real time. Miramar, 11/26/2017.

A test C model with the add on applied from factory. The stock versions will benefit from the added detail on the Blue Angels aircraft, both C and D default models will have similar add ons installed. Miramar, 11/26/2017.

CPO Black playing crew chief as CAPT. Kron's pit bull "Psy" watches a seat adjust on a test model C at Miramar. The Blue jets are the only planes she does not bark at. For some reason she prefers helicopters. Very weird dog.11/26/2017.

A few dissimilar formation flight tests were carried out, including one with the Patrouille de France Alpha Jet. On the photo, Athos 9, flown by Lieutenant Myrisse Loon, takes the lead as CAPT. Kron's Angel 4 flies right wing during a Gaeta V Northern Run. 12/01/2017.

A rare photo of Ms. Shana Carpool in Winter attire. "It's snowing at Meridas!" she explained. Miramar, 12/22/2017.

Ms. Shana Carpool gets her 2018 Blue Angels varsity jacket. She is after all Angel Zero. Meridas, 12/28/2017.

A clean F/A-18C livery applied on a test aircraft, preparing for the arrival of the stock test versions. Miramar, 12/28/2017.

VFA-25 "Fist of the Fleet" AA/400 BuNo 164266 was the chosen base for the stock F/A-18C Hornet. When they are released to the public this will be the C model version paint, on a rare historic Navy livery applied to a market aircraft. The D model will sport an European livery. Decisions on the offered options are still being made. Miramar, 12/30/2017.

The stock A and D models as well as the USNTPS and NFWS B models have working formation light strips. Miramar, 12/30/2017.

A stock test C model hot and static at Miramar as a C-130 lands. Benefiting from all the work done on the Blue Angels versions, the stock test flights were smooth and focused on the combat role of the Hornet. 12/30/2017.

Happy New Year. Load options discussed at Miramar. The stock versions will have at least two configurations per model, making for a total of possible four variations, from Ferry to Air Superiority and of course Attack. Miramar, 01/01/2018.

A test B model in NFWS colors. This aircraft will be flown by the Navy Fighter Weapons School CO, CAPT. Vickster Kühn, and is one of an initial batch of F/A-18B's ordered by Third Fleet. 01/02/2018.

NFWS F/A-18B Hornet BuNo 161714 "Black Zero Zero" in tests over Crows Nest. 01/03/2018.

Air power at sea. The Hornet was the first fighter attack aircraft of the Navy and the range of options is wide. The test NFWS F/A-18B shows a few of them. 01/04/2018.

The B models on order for the USNTPS will continue to provide valuable information throughout all of this year as the Hornet will remain in constant development. CAPT. Kron climbs aboard BuNo 18001 at Miramar. 01/07/2018.

The Blues close to receiving the operational BA v1.0 intensify formation tests. In the photo, from left, "Speed", "Cougar" and "QB" eye the weather conditions over the Aldabra Sea North of Miramar. 01/12/2018.

No, they are not that kind of angels, but as the operational aircraft delivery nears, the Blues get a little exuberant. Showing off at Miramar, from left, "Cougar", the Boss and "QB". 01/12/2018.

The morning of Gold and Blue Day at Miramar and still working on the C model BA test 100 aircraft. Captains Kühn and Kron stand at a safe distance a little concern about their full dress navy whites as Ms. Shana Carpool works on the brake system of the final test aircraft before BA version 1.0. 01/13/2018.

The two exceptional F/A-18B Hornets were on display during Gold and Blue Day at NAS Miramar. In the photo, USNTPS BuNo 18001, first of a batch of three to be delivered to the school. NFWS BuNo 161714's black nose is visible on the right. 01/13/2018.

First Blue Angels practice with the new F/A-18C Hornet BA v1.0 over the Aldabra Sea, North of Miramar. 01/15/2018.

"Mistell" takes off for a solo practice with her new BA v1.0, BuNo 163455, the same that was flown by Captain Jeff Kuss. All the original seven Hornets delivered to the Blues have historic BuNo's, and Angel 6 163455 could not be in better hands. 01/18/2018.

A very different animal from the Grumman Cougars the squadron flew for the last two years. A brand new diamond taking a feel for the capabilities of the Boeing F/A-18C Hornet. Aldabra Sea, 01/18/2018.

Homecoming is upon us, and the Blues intensify the practice program. In addition to the two newbies in the squadron, all the aircraft are newbies too! Building the start line up for flight prep at Miramar. The skies are Blue again. 01/18/2018.

Thank you, Shana!

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