A DVIDS photo showing an F/A-18E Super Hornet of the U.S. Navy includes an unknown pod that has a similar design to a previously spotted pod on an F-22.
The DVIDS image published by the U.S. Navy does not disclose the pod carried by the F/A-18E, but there are apparently no optical apertures.
Moreover, the refuelling pod and external fuel tank are also eliminated as the pod is too small to be one.
The pod’s structure bears some resemblance to a low RCS pod spotted on the F-22 fighter in a photo taken by James Reeder. F-22 was seen carrying two pods in different configurations, with one having optical apertures.
If this is the same pod, it suggests U.S. Navy interest in integrating the pod tested by the U.S. Air Force to increase the off-board capabilities on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, which still form the backbone of the naval aviation’s combat wing.
Thus, this pod might be meant to give the Super Hornets extra capabilities in the form of IRST, targeting, or electronic warfare with minimal increase in RCS.
F/A-18E/F Super Hornets have received a series of upgrades, including the IRST21 mounted on central fuel tanks, better AESA radars, and, more recently, the AIM-174B long-range air-to-air missile based on the SM-6 air defence missile. While the F-35C is being introduced, it is still lower in numbers and more care-intensive (which adds to operational costs). This has led to a series of integrations on the long-serving Super Hornets to keep them relevant until the arrival of F/A-XX, which is anticipated to come in the next decade.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
