Boeing's strategy to offer international customers a growth path for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter is taking concrete form with completion of a full-scale mock-up of a more capable and survivable variant to compete with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Conformal fuel tanks, stealthy weapons pod, an infrared search-and-track sensor, and missile and laser warning system are among the upgrade options on offer. Uprated engines and large-area cockpit dis- plays are also part of the growth road map, but not on the mock-up. Unveiling of the mock- up comes as further delays to F-35 development require procurement of more F/A-18E/Fs for the U.S. Navy.
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