Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block III

The Super Hornet is the workhorse of US Navy carrier air wings (and the EA-18G Growler EW derivative). Block III modernization (2022– ) adds conformal fuel tanks (CFTs — an extra 3,500 lb of fuel without external drag increase), advanced cockpit displays (a 10×19-inch touchscreen replacing the classic MFD arrays), the AN/APG-79 AESA radar (introduced earlier), and — again critical — Block III avionics architecture supports new weapons and sensor pods faster than the older variants. Australia, Kuwait are the main non-USN users; Germany cancelled its Block III purchase in 2024 in favor of the F-35A and Eurofighter; India chose Rafale over the Super Hornet in the MMRCA-2 tender. Unit price: ~USD 70–80 million.