The Royal Australian Air Force has received the third of 24 F/A-18F block II Super Hornets from Boeing.

The block II F/A-18E/Fs will perform tactical missions including air superiority, day/night strike, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defences, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions.

Royal Australian Air Force Head Air Combat Transition Office Group Capt. Steve Roberton said that the block II F/A-18F Super Hornet would provide the RAAF with enhanced air combat capability across the spectrum of missions, with a twin-engine design that is ideal for the force’s maritime operational requirements.

The company will deliver the remaining 21 RAAF Super Hornets, each equipped with the Raytheon-built APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar, between now and 2011.

The company unveiled the first of the 24 Super Hornets in July 2009.