Aussies receive third Super Hornet

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- The Royal Australian Air Force has received delivery of its third Boeing-made F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet under a contract for 24 of the fighter aircraft.

U.S. company Boeing announced the successful delivery of the third Super Hornet integrated with Raytheon's APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar technologies.

Officials say the delivery of the Super Hornet, a next-generation twin-engine multi-role fighter aircraft, was three months ahead of schedule.

"We look forward to continuing to deliver Australia's newest combat aircraft on budget and ahead of schedule, as promised," Carolyn Nichols, Boeing F/A-18F program manager for Australia, said in a statement.

"Successful early delivery of these aircraft is a direct result of the great teamwork between Australia's Defense Materiel Organization, the Royal Australian Air Force, the U.S. Navy, Boeing and the entire Hornet Industry Team."