THE sleek new AMERICAN addition to the Air Force’s combat aircraft fleet will fly over the Gold Coast in its first public appearance about 12.45pm today.
But a fleeting glimpse of the new F/A-18F Super Hornets might be all you will catch, with the jets travelling at a `slow’ 550km/h, about 500 feet in the air.
Four F-111s will fly alongside the five new Super Hornets as they make their way to RAAF Base Amberley.
The fighter jets will fly from Tweed Heads to Southport about 12.45pm, before making their way to Brisbane.
Fast Facts
Produced: 1995–present
Number built: 400 as of 2009
Unit cost: US$60.3 million (2010 flyaway cost)
The Super Hornet entered service with the United States Navy in 1999, replacing the F-14 Tomcat since 2006, and serves alongside the original Hornet. In 2007, the Royal Australian Air Force ordered Super Hornets to replace its aging F-111 fleet.