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Naval Air Forces Declares Operational Pause for Super Hornet and Growler Fleet

dimsum

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Yikes.  Hope they figure out what went wrong and return the fleet to flying status.

WHIDBEY ISLAND (NNS) -- A U. S. Navy E/A-18G jet assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 experienced an on-deck emergency at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island at approximately 1100 (PST), today.
The aircraft was damaged and both aircrew sustained injuries and were transported by a NAS Whidbey Island SAR helicopter to Harborview Medical Center for evaluation. The cause of the emergency is under investigation.
Naval Air Forces has temporarily suspended flight operations for all F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets and E/A-18G Growlers as a safety precaution since they share common aircraft systems, with exceptions made on a case-by-case basis dependent upon operational requirements. The operational pause will allow both Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and Boeing engineers time to investigate the incident.

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=98183
 
Dimsum said:
Yikes.  Hope they figure out what went wrong and return the fleet to flying status.

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=98183

Figure it out Pronto or else dock the carriers.
 
An update on what went wrong.


http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/6981/ea-18g-growler-crew-saved-by-portland-based-pjs-after-canopy-explosion
 
Now that I've read the article in full....I have to ask. 

Have our CF-18's experienced similar problems?

Is this problem more common, less common, or equally common on other aircraft such as the F-16 or F-15?
 
CBH99 said:
Now that I've read the article in full....I have to ask. 

Have our CF-18's experienced similar problems?

Never heard of an over-pressurisation issue on ours. I would think the canopy pressure seal would blow long before it got too dangerous. There is also a cabin dump valve that can be opened if things got too hairy. A number of failures would have to happen for something like this to happen.
 
Meanwhile broader USN fighter woes (other big effects of funding shortage too):

Grounded: Nearly two-thirds of US Navy’s strike fighters can’t fly
Congress’ inability to pass a budget is hurting the fleet, leaders say

The U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet strike fighters are the tip of the spear, embodying most of the fierce striking power of the aircraft carrier strike group. But nearly two-thirds of the fleet’s strike fighters can’t fly — grounded because they’re either undergoing maintenance or simply waiting for parts or their turn in line on the aviation depot backlog.

Overall, more than half the Navy’s aircraft are grounded, most because there isn’t enough money to fix them...
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/grounded-nearly-two-thirds-of-us-navys-strike-fighters-cant-fly?

Mark
Ottawa
 
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