Swiss F/A-18C/D Hornet service life extension program

Switzerland is pursuing a life extension program for its F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters to keep them in service until the entry into service of the F-35.

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The Swiss government reported that in order to keep the 25-year-old F/A-18C/Ds in service until the delivery of the new F-35A fighters, life extension work is currently underway. Other tasks, such as the introduction of updated aircraft software and a radio system with new encryption technology, were successfully completed last year.

The F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters, in service since 1997, are to remain Switzerland’s primary form of air defense until the 2030s. To this end, a program to extend the service life of the aircraft has been underway since 2017, for which a budget of CHF 450 million (about USD 490 million) was earmarked.

According to current planning, the new F-35A fighter jets will be delivered gradually between 2027 and 2030 and can start taking up their duties in the early 2030s.

Introduction of new aircraft systems and software

Major elements of the F/A-18 life extension were completed last year. These included the introduction of modernized communication, navigation and identification systems. In addition, the flight simulator was refurbished and a new night vision device integrated into the multifunctional helmet was procured.

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Since the beginning of 2023, the Swiss Air Force has had not only updated aircraft software, but also a radio system based on new encryption technology. The ground systems required for the operation of the aircraft have also been modernized and adapted accordingly.

New work to extend the service life of the aircraft

RUAG is the company that has been commissioned to carry out the life extension work on the aircraft’s components and structure. The plan, which should be completed by the end of 2023, is to extend the service life of each Hornet by an additional 6,000 flight hours.

These actions are carried out in such a way as to restrict the availability of the aircraft fleet as little as possible and to ensure the operational and training activities of the Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe).