As we inch closer to the 2021 air show season and the Blue Angels’ transition to the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Boeing has announced that they have delivered the first modified Super Hornet to the Blue Angels for testing and evaluation.

On June 3, Boeing issued a press release stating they have “delivered the first Super Hornet test aircraft for the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron.” The jet is now up at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland for flight tests and evaluation, and is the first of 11 aircraft Boeing is expected to deliver to the Blue Angels in 2020. The test aircraft has undergone all Blue Angels modifications and conversions with the exception of paint. The aircraft will not receive paint until flight testing is complete; however, other Super Hornets have already received their familiar blue and yellow paint scheme, and the first painted jets are expected to arrive in Pensacola later this month.

The testing and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River will be done by former Blue Angels pilots, including 2018-2019 Boss Captain Eric Doyle, 2016-2017 Boss Captain Ryan Bernacchi, and 2008-2010, 2016-2017 solo pilot Commander Frank Weisser, all of which have been working as part of the Blue Angels Transition Team.

Boeing posted the following video on their Twitter Wednesday, teasing the paint job on the Super Hornet as it took off:

“The Super Hornet is an iconic representation of excellence in naval aviation,” said ret. Admiral Pat Walsh, vice president of U.S. Navy & Marine Corps Services for Boeing. Walsh flew with the Blue Angels from 1985 to 1987 as the Left Wingman (#3) and Slot Pilot (#4). “As Boeing continues to support the operational fleet of Navy Super Hornets, we are excited to see this platform enter a critical phase of its journey to joining the team.”

The Blue Angels have flown Boeing or Boeing-heritage aircraft for more than 50 years, starting with the F-4J Phantom II in 1969, and then moving to the A-4F Skyhawk. The team currently operates the F/A-18A-D Hornet. Boeing has modified jets for the Blue Angels since 2008, delivering 23 aircraft to date.

Boeing does all modifications and conversions at the company’s Cecil Field facility in Jacksonville, Florida. Major modifications include the addition of an oil tank for the smoke-generation system, fuel systems that enable the aircraft to fly inverted for extended periods of time, civilian-compatible navigation equipment, cameras and adjustments for the aircraft’s center of gravity.

With more news expected and more jets set to be delivered this month, stay tuned to our website, mobile app, and social media for the latest news and updates.