L3Harris Advances Development of Next-Generation Electronic Warfare for F/A-18 Super Hornet
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On November 21, 2024, L3Harris Technologies announced significant progress in the development of its Advanced Electronic Warfare (ADVEW) system for the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet. Funded by an $80 million contract awarded in 2023, the project aims to enhance the aircraft’s defensive capabilities against evolving threats. Recent tests have marked critical steps toward implementing this sophisticated system.
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Operated by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the F/A-18 has proven its resilience and reliability and will continue to serve as a tactical aviation asset until its planned transition to the F-35 by 2030 (Picture source: L3 Harris)
The F/A-18 Hornet, the United States’ first all-weather multirole aircraft, integrates both fighter and attack functionalities, making it suitable for interdiction, close air support, and tactical air control missions. Powered by two F404-GE-402 turbofan engines delivering 17,700 pounds of thrust each, the aircraft reaches speeds exceeding Mach 1.7 and operates at altitudes above 50,000 feet. With a combat range of 1,089 nautical miles and a ferry range of 1,546 nautical miles, the F/A-18 is recognized for its versatility and durability. It carries a diverse arsenal, including a 20mm M61A1/A2 Vulcan cannon, air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM, and precision-guided munitions like JDAM and JSOW.
Equipped with an advanced radar, the F/A-18 can detect and engage multiple targets in complex environments. Its ability to perform both air combat and strike missions within a single operation was demonstrated during the Gulf War, underscoring its effectiveness. Operated by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the F/A-18 has proven its resilience and reliability and will continue to serve as a tactical aviation asset until its planned transition to the F-35 by 2030.
In August, L3Harris, in partnership with Boeing, conducted hardware integration tests at the U.S. Navy’s test facility in Patuxent River, Maryland. Using 3D-printed models of the system’s components, including connectors and wiring, the team verified the ADVEW system’s compatibility with the aircraft. The successful tests revealed no significant issues, facilitating the next stages of prototype development.
The use of 3D-printed models demonstrated an efficient approach to technology validation, enabling engineers to identify and address potential challenges early in the process. This method has streamlined development and minimized delays.
Simultaneously, the ADVEW system underwent rigorous simulation testing at the U.S. Navy’s Threat Air Defense Lab (TADL). Over five days, the system demonstrated its threat-response capabilities in a closed-loop simulation environment, meeting performance expectations against validated threat models.
Jennifer Lewis, President of Airborne Combat Systems at L3Harris, emphasized the importance of these milestones, highlighting the progress made and the focus on advancing to subsequent development phases to enhance the protection of U.S. Navy aircrews.
Looking ahead, L3Harris plans to conduct a major design review with the Navy by the end of 2024. Prototype integration and testing are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025, with initial deliveries expected by the second quarter. Final validation, including chamber testing on an actual F/A-18, is anticipated by late 2025 to ensure full operational readiness.
These advancements underscore L3Harris’s role in driving innovation in defense technology while aligning with the U.S. Navy’s rigorous requirements. The ADVEW system is expected to significantly enhance the F/A-18’s resilience against a broad range of threats, ensuring its effectiveness in increasingly complex operational environments.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
On November 21, 2024, L3Harris Technologies announced significant progress in the development of its Advanced Electronic Warfare (ADVEW) system for the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet. Funded by an $80 million contract awarded in 2023, the project aims to enhance the aircraft’s defensive capabilities against evolving threats. Recent tests have marked critical steps toward implementing this sophisticated system.
Operated by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the F/A-18 has proven its resilience and reliability and will continue to serve as a tactical aviation asset until its planned transition to the F-35 by 2030 (Picture source: L3 Harris)
The F/A-18 Hornet, the United States’ first all-weather multirole aircraft, integrates both fighter and attack functionalities, making it suitable for interdiction, close air support, and tactical air control missions. Powered by two F404-GE-402 turbofan engines delivering 17,700 pounds of thrust each, the aircraft reaches speeds exceeding Mach 1.7 and operates at altitudes above 50,000 feet. With a combat range of 1,089 nautical miles and a ferry range of 1,546 nautical miles, the F/A-18 is recognized for its versatility and durability. It carries a diverse arsenal, including a 20mm M61A1/A2 Vulcan cannon, air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM, and precision-guided munitions like JDAM and JSOW.
Equipped with an advanced radar, the F/A-18 can detect and engage multiple targets in complex environments. Its ability to perform both air combat and strike missions within a single operation was demonstrated during the Gulf War, underscoring its effectiveness. Operated by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the F/A-18 has proven its resilience and reliability and will continue to serve as a tactical aviation asset until its planned transition to the F-35 by 2030.
In August, L3Harris, in partnership with Boeing, conducted hardware integration tests at the U.S. Navy’s test facility in Patuxent River, Maryland. Using 3D-printed models of the system’s components, including connectors and wiring, the team verified the ADVEW system’s compatibility with the aircraft. The successful tests revealed no significant issues, facilitating the next stages of prototype development.
The use of 3D-printed models demonstrated an efficient approach to technology validation, enabling engineers to identify and address potential challenges early in the process. This method has streamlined development and minimized delays.
Simultaneously, the ADVEW system underwent rigorous simulation testing at the U.S. Navy’s Threat Air Defense Lab (TADL). Over five days, the system demonstrated its threat-response capabilities in a closed-loop simulation environment, meeting performance expectations against validated threat models.
Jennifer Lewis, President of Airborne Combat Systems at L3Harris, emphasized the importance of these milestones, highlighting the progress made and the focus on advancing to subsequent development phases to enhance the protection of U.S. Navy aircrews.
Looking ahead, L3Harris plans to conduct a major design review with the Navy by the end of 2024. Prototype integration and testing are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025, with initial deliveries expected by the second quarter. Final validation, including chamber testing on an actual F/A-18, is anticipated by late 2025 to ensure full operational readiness.
These advancements underscore L3Harris’s role in driving innovation in defense technology while aligning with the U.S. Navy’s rigorous requirements. The ADVEW system is expected to significantly enhance the F/A-18’s resilience against a broad range of threats, ensuring its effectiveness in increasingly complex operational environments.
