"Chad Irby" wrote in message
m...
In article ,
"Tarver Engineering" wrote:

"Chad Irby" wrote in message
. com...

It's only the second batch of Super Hornets, it's looking like that
third batch isn't going to be bought. And it looks like the 90
Growlers
are going to be part of that 210.

Nice speculation Chad, but as usual, you are mistaken.

Nope. The recent buy of 210 is only the second batch out of what was
supposed to be 538, and it's not likely to be extended (since this buy
is only good through 2010).

Actually, the original purchase was for 526 and if you check Boeing's
website there are about 20 additions, today. As posted by Doering, IIRC.

The 2010 date was supposed to be the end of
the oroginal F/A-18E/F buy, and about half of this buy are F/A-18G
Growlers to replace the Prowler. So the F-18 has been cut back by about
200 planes. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

No, the F/A-18 was always intended to replace all execept the F/A-18As.
What has happened is that the Navy has bought the second option of the
original contract and added R&D money for an electronics bird designated
"G". In combat, the F/A-18E exibited extraordinary reliability and this
pleased the Navy greatly.

The Navy loves the F-18 and it is advantaged over even the F-35, due
to it's COTS design.

...which is why they're cutting back on the F-18 buy so much, and
substituting F-18G models for the regular ones?

LOL

Buy a vowel son ...