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<p class=”text-body text-muted small”>Australia’s extension of a sustainment contract for its Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers (pictured) is expected to support further upgrades for both variants. Australia will potentially operate the Super Hornets until at least 2030. (Commonwealth of Australia)</p>
<p>The Australian government has signed a AUD600 million (USD402.6 million) contract extension with Boeing Defence Australia to sustain and upgrade the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleet.</p>
<p>The five-year contract will ensure that support for the Super Hornet and Growler fleet is continued until 2030, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) said on 6 January. The contract is an extension of the ‘Air Combat and Electronic Attack Sustainment Contract’, which originally commenced with Boeing Defence Australia on 1 July 2016. That initial contract covered a period of five years.</p>
<p>“This is the second contract extension, taking the overall contract value to AUD1.2 billion,” the DoD said.</p>
<p>“The contract extension comes as the EA-18G Growler Airborne Electronic Attack capability reaches final operational capability,” the DoD added.</p>
<p>According to the DoD, the contract will help maintain “top-tier aircraft and a highly skilled local workforce” in a time of “escalating” global tensions. “This contract extension fortifies our preparedness for any potential challenges,” the DoD said.</p>
<p>
The RAAF’s Growler fleet is operated by No 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley. The fleet’s Airborne Electronic Attack capability comprises 12 EA-18G Growler aircraft with the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System and the AGM-88 series of anti-radiation missiles. The renewed contract will ensure that Australia can also proceed with its planned upgrade of the EA-18Gs under Project AIR 5349 Phase 6 – Advanced Growler,
<em>Janes </em>
assesses. This upgrade includes modifications to the EA-18G’s sensors.
</p>
<p class=”text-body text-muted small”>Australia’s extension of a sustainment contract for its Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers (pictured) is expected to support further upgrades for both variants. Australia will potentially operate the Super Hornets until at least 2030. (Commonwealth of Australia)</p>
<p>The Australian government has signed a AUD600 million (USD402.6 million) contract extension with Boeing Defence Australia to sustain and upgrade the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleet.</p>
<p>The five-year contract will ensure that support for the Super Hornet and Growler fleet is continued until 2030, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) said on 6 January. The contract is an extension of the ‘Air Combat and Electronic Attack Sustainment Contract’, which originally commenced with Boeing Defence Australia on 1 July 2016. That initial contract covered a period of five years.</p>
<p>“This is the second contract extension, taking the overall contract value to AUD1.2 billion,” the DoD said.</p>
<p>“The contract extension comes as the EA-18G Growler Airborne Electronic Attack capability reaches final operational capability,” the DoD added.</p>
<p>According to the DoD, the contract will help maintain “top-tier aircraft and a highly skilled local workforce” in a time of “escalating” global tensions. “This contract extension fortifies our preparedness for any potential challenges,” the DoD said.</p>
<p>
The RAAF’s Growler fleet is operated by No 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley. The fleet’s Airborne Electronic Attack capability comprises 12 EA-18G Growler aircraft with the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System and the AGM-88 series of anti-radiation missiles. The renewed contract will ensure that Australia can also proceed with its planned upgrade of the EA-18Gs under Project AIR 5349 Phase 6 – Advanced Growler,
<em>Janes </em>
assesses. This upgrade includes modifications to the EA-18G’s sensors.
</p>