they are using the tank for testing.....please read again and below
Boeing will conduct a prototype flight demonstration in the first quarter of 2008, using a modified 480-gallon centerline fuel tank to house the IRST system. The modified fuel tank provides a cost effective, software-only integration approach, requiring no structural or wiring changes to the aircraft. This supports potential integration of IRST on existing and future F/A-18E/F/G aircraft.

wrote in message oups.com...
According to the following link from Boeing, in future Super Hornet is
gonna receive an Infra-Red Search and Track device to be built in a
standard 480 US Gallon fuel tank. The idea of the device looks very
interesting:

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/...70702a_nr.html

The sensor-fusion in combat jets nowadays becomes impressing - with
separate helmet-mounted sights for each crew member and multi-sensor
detection they really keep up with what was seen before only in attack
helicopters...

Best regards,
Jacek