Funny that the Navy intends to keep a mix of F-35C and F/A-18E/F then,
wouldn't you say? Particularly with the Super Hornet in the 'heavy
lift strike' and 'tanker' roles.


The Super Hornet is in production right now which means the airframe
have low flight hours or no flight hours on them. Tankers really
don't require anything ground breaking and the Super Hornets wouldn't
be used in a "first day of combat" role as an attack aircraft against
a competent adversary. Once the F-35 is in service the Super Hornet
will be pretty much second-string.