Submitted by TEAM Public Affairs, F-18

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Aeronautic Association recently announced that the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet has been selected to receive the NAA Collier Trophy recognizing the top aeronautical achievement in the United States for 1999.

The U.S. Navy and the Hornet Industry Team were recognized by the NAA awards committee for, "designing, manufacturing, testing, and introducing into service the F/A-18E/F multi-mission strike fighter aircraft, the most capable and survivable carrier-based combat aircraft,"

In announcing the selection of the winner, NAA President Don Koranda commented, "The selection of the Super Hornet as the 1999 Collier winner is an excellent example of the technical achievement and teamwork of America's aerospace industry."

The NAA's Robert J. Collier Trophy, established in 1911, is awarded annually, "For the greatest achievement in aeronautics and astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year."

The trophy, on permanent display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, is considered the greatest and most prized of aeronautical honors in America.

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a flexible, multi-mission aircraft capable of performing a variety of tactical missions including air superiority, fighter escort, close air support, day/night precision strike, and all-weather attack. It was designed to replace three Navy aircraft, the A-6 Intruder, the F-14 Tomcat, and the earlier model Hornets. In addition, the aircraft will significantly increase an aircraft carrier battle group's capability to independently carry out sustained operations in support of national interests.

The F/A-18E/F has greatly increased performance, efficiency, and safety over the Hornet and has also reduced the maintenance requirements with 42 percent fewer parts than its predecessor. The aircraft has 25 percent greater payload, three times the "bring-back" to the aircraft carrier, five times more survivability, a 40 percent increase in range, and 17.3 cubic feet of growth volume for future systems.

In 1999, the Super Hornet completed the most thorough and challenging operational evaluation in the history of naval aviation. Its test program was a unique partnership between the Hornet Industry Team and the Navy that used a fully integrated team to conduct developmental flight and ground testing concurrently from a single location. During its "Test and Evaluation" phase, the F/A-18E/F has flown 6,876 mishap-free hours, including 2,917 hours in 1999. As it entered service in November 1999, the Super Hornet exceeded all Navy and Department of Defense operational requirements. In addition, Congress approved a multi-year procurement demonstrating confidence in the program.

Additional evidence of the success of the program is illustrated by a number of technical "firsts." The Super Hornet has an unlimited angle of attack that provides exceptional maneuverability in combat, fly-by-wire controls and Full Authority Digital Electronic Engine Control (FADEC), and a flight control system that automatically compensates for damage or failure.

Formal presentation of the trophy will take place at the annual Robert J. Collier Presentation, which will be held May 3 in Arlington, Va.