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Blue Angels to Fly Super Hornets, First Test Aircraft Delivered to Navy Team

Ever since the end of the Second World War, a select number of highly talented U.S. Navy pilots came together to form the Blue Angels. Officially a flight demonstration squadron, Blue Angels have been a constant presence in the skies at air shows, events and, more recently, when people needed emotional support.
Blue Angels test Super Hornet will not wear the team's colors 7 photos
Photo: Boeing
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During their long history, the team has flown a variety of airplanes, starting with the initial Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat and ending with the present aircraft, the F/A-18 Hornet C/D. In the not so distant future though, this too will be swapped for something better.

That something better is the Super Hornet, a souped up and more recent version of the planes currently in use. Manufactured by Boeing, the airplane should become a solid presence in the Blue Angels’ shows in the years to come.

The aerospace company announced this week it has delivered the first Super Hornet for tests at the hands of the Blue Angels, and trials should begin shortly at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. Over the course of the year, another 10 such airplanes would be delivered to the squadron as per the contract signed in 2018.

“The Super Hornet is an iconic representation of excellence in naval aviation,” said in a statement ret. Admiral Pat Walsh, vice president of U.S. Navy & Marine Corps Services for Boeing and former Blue Angels pilot.

“As Boeing continues to support the operational fleet of Navy Super Hornets, we are excited to see this platform enter a critical phase of its journey to joining the team.”

The Super Hornet is a twin-engine multirole aircraft, presently serving the needs of the U.S. Navy. The Royal Australian Air Force use it as well, with other armies waiting in line. The Super Hornet saw action over Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, among others.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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