ST. LOUIS , Nov. 07, 1996 -- Representatives of the Austrian air force have concluded a two-week, 10-flight evaluation of the F/A-18 Hornet at McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
The Austrian evaluators (an engineer and air force pilots Brig. Gen. Erich Wolf and Capt. Franz Six) flew the F/A-18 simulator at McDonnell Douglas Oct. 14-18, then flew a two-seat U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D at Beaufort Oct. 20-24.
The two familiarization and eight evaluation flights at Beaufort covered the full spectrum of F/A-18 air-to-air and air-to-ground maneuvers. The Austrian pilots evaluated the F/A-18's handling qualities, departure resistance and recovery, turn performance, high angle-of-attack performance as well as onboard electronic and weapons systems.
The Austrian pilots also conducted air-to-air intercepts against multiple targets, released air-to-ground ordnance, conducted arrested landings and evaluated the F/A-18's night attack capability with night-vision goggles.
The Austrian pilots said they were impressed with the F/A-18's high alpha capability, acceleration and situational awareness. They also said the onboard systems were easy to use and they felt comfortable in operating the aircraft.
"The F/A-18 performed flawlessly during this evaluation," said Gary R. (Bud) Mitchell, vice president-general manager for international F/A-18 programs at McDonnell Douglas.
He praised the efforts of a combined F/A-18 team from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, prime contractor McDonnell Douglas, principal subcontractor Northrop Grumman, radar supplier Hughes and targeting FLIR supplier Loral.
Austria is looking at the F/A-18 as a possible replacement for Drakken aircraft in its air force fleet. Austria would like to procure 30 aircraft for air defense in fiscal years 1998 and 1999.
Austria plans a second flight evaluation of the F/A-18 between May and October 1997 in Austria. That evaluation will be based on criteria developed by the Austrian Air Staff.
The F/A-18 also is being evaluated by Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Philippines.
Current Hornet customers are the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, as well as the air forces of Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Finland, Switzerland, Malaysia and Thailand. More than 1,320 of these aircraft have been delivered worldwide.
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