Spotting tips: can that Super Hornet become a Growler?

The other day Australian military expert Andrew McLaughlin shared a trio of photos (below) showing the extra bumps and lumps that distinguish Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets that are wired for upgrading to E/A-18 Growlers.

"There is a lump on the spine, and two on the lower rear fuselage which are apertures for future antenna installations," wrote Andrew. " Other mods include provision for additional avionics racks in the nose gun bay area and in the LEXs, and heavier gauge wiring and wider conduits in the wings."

Pretty cool. Twelve of Australia's 24 Super Hornets can be upgraded to the Growler standard.

Andrew has already written one book about Australia's F-18s, and is planning another for the first quarter of 2012. He is the Editor of Australian Defence Business Review and the Defence Industry & Aerospace Report. He is also Deputy Editor of the Australian Aviation web site.