Boeing is tomorrow honouring the 10th anniversary of the arrival of the first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornets in-country on 26 March, 2010.
The RAAF has 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets and 11 EA-18G Growlers operating out of RAAF Base Amberley with Nos 1 and 6 Squadrons, which are operated and sustained under the Boeing-led Air Combat Electronic Attack (ACEA) Sustainment Program (ACEASP).
ACEA sustainment sees Boeing leverage both local industry expertise and Original Equipment Manufacturer capabilities from The Boeing Company to provide logistics, maintenance, engineering and operational and capability upgrade management services for the RAAF Super Hornets and Growlers.
ACEASP Program Manager Chris Gray said Boeing’s best-for-capability solutions ensured the Super Hornets’ operational and fleet life success.
“The 10th anniversary of the arrival of the first tranche of five F/A-18F Super Hornets in-country is a momentous milestone for us,” Gray said. “We are proud to be maintaining and upgrading the Super Hornet – notching up 10 years as a trusted partner of the RAAF in stewarding the Super Hornet as Australia’s premier frontline air combat capability.”
RAAF Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts added: “Defence’s relationship with Boeing has delivered us a great air combat capability with the Super Hornet, which we have used decisively on exercises and operations. We are very pleased to celebrate this 10th anniversary milestone.”
Defence has recently signed a four-year, $280 million extension to Boeing Defence Australia’s contract to maintain the Royal Australian Air Force’s Super Hornet and Growler aircraft in Amberley.
This latest contract is a follow on to the one signed in August 2016 for an initial five-year period, which also involved subcontractors including Raytheon Australia, Northrop Grumman Australia and Pacific Aerospace.
