1985-Contin
ued
UNITED STATES NAVAL AVIATION
1910-1995
345
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The new AV-8B Harrier II shows its versatility.
designed to extend her service life by 15 years. Indy's
flight deck systems would be improved to allow the
recovery of high-performance aircraft while the ship
traveled at lower speeds. Major changes also included
the overhaul of two NATO Seasparrow missile launch-
ers with two others to be installed along with three
Phalanx CIWS. Other improvements would result in
significant savings in fuel consumption for
Independence.
21 February
The F/ A-18 Hornet strike fighter and
the LAMPS, which used the SH-60B Seahawk ASW
helicopter, deployed overseas for the first time. Both
systems operated as part of Battle Group Delta head-
ed by
Constellation
in a routine deployment with the
Seventh Fleet to the Western Pacific and Indian
Ocean. The Hornets replaced the A-7E Corsair lIs
operated by two squadrons assigned to CVW-14, mak-
ing
Constellation
the Navy's first carrier to have F/ A-
18s assigned to her air wing. The SH-60B Seahawk
helicopter operated as the air subsystem of the LAMPS
MK III weapon system, deployed aboard
Crommelin
(FFG 37).
1 March
The Undergraduate Naval Flight Officer
Training System Upgrade was introduced at NAS
Pensacola, Fla., when the first class of prospective
NFOs began training on the Cessna T-47A Citation. As
part of the new training system upgrade, T -4 7 As
replaced the T-39D Saberliners that had been used to
train NFOs since 1965.
6 March
The Naval Air Systems Command and
United Technologies' Sikorsky Aircraft signed a con-
tract for full-scale development and production
options for a carrier-borne version of the SH-60B
Seahawk. Designated SH-60F, the variant would be
used to protect the inner perimeter of carrier battle
groups from enemy submarines.
29 March
The Navy awarded a contract to the
McDonnell Douglas Corporation for development of
night attack capabilities for the F/ A-18 Hornet aircraft.
About 750 F/ A-18s would be outfitted with a naviga-
tional forward-looking infrared pod, a television-like
heads up display, night vision goggles for the pilot,
and other improvements.
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