conformal tanks are the big winner, offering greater persistence, especially for tanking and growler ops

Good luck. 😉 LOL

For me the question is which changes will the RAAF want on its Super Hornets?

Well the “Block III” Super Hornet is an optional upgrade for any customers who have or will buy the Super Hornet. It depends on what the RAAF needs if they want more range they get the Conformal Fuel Tanks. If they want more maneuverability for Air-to-Air combat they will choose the EPE Engine for better A2A ability. I haven’t seen a RAAF Super Hornet with bombs, only A2A missiles so i think Australia uses the Super Hornet for air defence and Air to Air fighting. So I think they will choose the EPE Engine for better A2A ability and and better maneuverability. Or they will choose both Conformal Fuel Tanks and EPE Engines.

Hope it helped.

Actually the EPE in its 26,400 lbs setting drastically improves the Super Hornet’s acceleration, a valuable feature in dogfighting with China’s advanced types in the AirSea battle. Remember that the Super Hornet is the US Navy’s primary A2A platform regardless of the F-35C(Which is exclusively a strike jet), so any upgrade that helps its A2A capability helps.

This is a reply to everybody and SlowMan. The EPE gives the Super Hornet a Air Dominance capability increase so it means it will be a better A2A fighter take a look at the EPE image.

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conformal tanks are the big winner, offering greater persistence, especially for tanking and growler ops

Why do you want Conformal Fuel Tanks? Need more info.

:confused:

There are only three credible reasons the US Military Services use to justify a change to an existing airplane. In order of priority, they are:

1. Improve safety (save aircrew lives and save airplanes) – these changes are almost always funded
2. Improve mission effectiveness (ability to get to the target and destroy it with bombs)
3. Reducing operating and support cost over the airplane’s life cycle

EPE does not improve safety since the twin F414s have proven to be tough and reliable.

EPE does not improve the ability to get to target and destroy it with bombs, but the CFTs and pods do.

EPE’s business case evidently does not save enough O&S cost despite durability improvements to justify the initial expense. In other words, the business case fails.

I think you don’t get my point here do you understand what are we talking on this topic? We’re talking about a EPE Engine so it can be better on the Hornet when it’s fighting in the SKIES, were not talking about and EPE Engine fighting on the ground. 🙁