Boeing, Navy offer Japan F/A-18E jets

TOKYO, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Boeing and the U.S. Navy have formally offered Japan the advanced F/A-18E Super Hornet Block II as the country's next premier fighter aircraft.

The F/A-18E Block II is the United States' newest operational and combat-proven fighter aircraft.

"The Super Hornet is the world's most advanced multi-role fighter and its selection would provide the (Japanese air defense) with new, unprecedented capability," said Boeing Japan President Mike Denton.

"The Super Hornet can provide the government of Japan with guaranteed pricing and a guaranteed delivery timeline, while equipping (Japanese air defense) with superior multi-role capability for the defense of Japan."

Japan had issued a Request for Proposal for its F-X fighter competition in April.

The advanced Super Hornet version offered to Japan is based on the F/A-18E/F model operated around the globe by the U.S. Navy. The Australian air force is also procuring the aircraft and has taken delivery of 20 F/A-18Fs at its base in Amberley, Queensland. Four additional Super Hornets will be delivered to Australia this year.

The Boeing Super Hornet is a multi-role aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions.