boom175 Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 Saw this picture while researching VMFA-115. The website it is a "new" F-18C+ ? Is that a new program for the USMC? I am no Hornet expert but the fins do look like a "C" model to me. Any other visible changes? P.S. Flying Leatherneck definitely needs to do those decals!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
graves_09 Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 First time I've heard that designation used. VMFA-115 flew A+ so maybe it's a miss print? The picture is definitely a late lot charlie. If there are C+ upgrades, most will be unnoticed by modelers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mrvark Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Not a typo. Thirty of the older 'Day Attack' jets are getting avionics updates to bring them up to 'Night Attack' standards. From a modeling perspective, the main difference is the old SJU-5 seat is being replaced with the SJU-17 with JHMCS provisions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Roof Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 That's the first I've heard of the C+ designation as well. It's also interesting to see 115 in Charlies as they've been flying A/A+ aircraft for years. Let me make some phone calls to see if I can get walk around photos of that aircraft. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Roof Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Not a typo. Thirty of the older 'Day Attack' jets are getting avionics updates to bring them up to 'Night Attack' standards. From a modeling perspective, the main difference is the old SJU-5 seat is being replaced with the SJU-17 with JHMCS provisions. That is a 'C', so it would already be fitted with an SJU-17. A+ aircraft that had their SJU-5 replaced with SJU-17 (among other things) were designated A++. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neeko Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 So if a "C" is really an "A+++", then is a "C+" the same as an "A++++"? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Platycqb Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 So if a "C" is really an "A+++", then is a "C+" the same as an "A++++"? Dammit Common Core! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Roof Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 OK, I just got off the phone with the squadron SgtMaj and he's going to hook me up with photos. I'll try to get more information on the C+ designation as well, if that is correct. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mrvark Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 That is a 'C', so it would already be fitted with an SJU-17. A+ aircraft that had their SJU-5 replaced with SJU-17 (among other things) were designated A++. Not 100% sure (NATOPS is a bit vague on the point), but the cockpit didn't get upgraded until Lot 12, and the info I have is that the SJU-17 didn't show up until then either. BTW, if you're looking at an A with 'bird slicers', it's an A++. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Roof Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 (edited) Not 100% sure (NATOPS is a bit vague on the point), but the cockpit didn't get upgraded until Lot 12, and the info I have is that the SJU-17 didn't show up until then either. BTW, if you're looking at an A with 'bird slicers', it's an A++. The SJU-17 was introduced on the production line with BuNo 164196, which were Lot 13 aircraft. All F/A-18C/D aircraft that were built with SJU-5/6 (BuNo 163427 thru BuNo 164068) were retrofitted with the SJU-17 during depot maintenance over their respective service lives. F/A-18A aircraft that had the AN/APX-111 (bird slicers) installed were designated F/A-18A+ (the F/A-18A++ was the result of further upgrades). The BuNo range for the upgrade to F/A-18A+ was 162394 thru 163175. However, this only applied to aircraft that received AFC 292. These A+ aircraft also had the GPS dome and larger, swept back UHF/VHF antennas. Edited May 19, 2016 by Dave Roof Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mrvark Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 F/A-18A aircraft that had the AN/APX-111 (bird slicers) installed were designated F/A-18A+ (the F/A-18A++ was the result of further upgrades). The BuNo range for the upgrade to F/A-18A+ was 162394 thru 163175. However, this only applied to aircraft that received AFC 292. These A+ aircraft also had the GPS dome and larger, swept back UHF/VHF antennas. The USMC A+s do indeed have the bird slicers--but the USN A+s don't! The A++ (USMC only) have JHMCS provisions which are visible underneath the canopy. Not the best picture, but you can see it on the left canopy rail: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Sorry for the silly question, but what are these JHMCS provisions you're talking about? IR sensors for head tracking? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Roof Posted May 19, 2016 Share Posted May 19, 2016 Sorry for the silly question, but what are these JHMCS provisions you're talking about? IR sensors for head tracking? Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System - In basic terms, it is pretty much what you mentioned. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 I know what JHMCS stands for, I just wasn't clear on what you meant by the provisions on the canopy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 Thirty of the older 'Day Attack' jets are getting avionics updates to bring them up to 'Night Attack' standards. I thought the "Night Attack" Hornets were all D-models? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Roof Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 I thought the "Night Attack" Hornets were all D-models? I've been away from Hornets for a while, but if I'm not mistaken, the 'Night Attack' upgrade for the F/A-18C Hornets made the cockpits NVG compatible. I'm not sure if this was done to any A+ or A++ airframes though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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