Supporting the Super Hornet

The team at the Super Hornet Logistical Management Unit at Amberley is bringing together all the various elements of engineering, maintenance, and supply into a coherent support package for the RAAF’s fleet of Boeing F/A-18F aircraft.
This ‘behind the scenes’ work is essential to the Super Hornet fleet not only reaching Full Operational Capability but also being maintained through the aircraft’s Life of Type. With long lead times for aircraft spares and upgrades to onboard systems logistics management enables the operational fying squadron to keep flying, knowing that what they need is ‘in the pipeline’.
The Unit is also focused on maturing its support system in preparation for 82 Wing achieving final operational capability for the Super Hornet in December this year.
Steve Secker took up the role as Director? when the Unit was established at Amberley in 2011.
“We are part of the Tactical Systems Program Office – the SPO that is responsible for the Super Hornet and the Classic Hornet and the Lead-In Fighter, which are all part of the broader air combat support domain,” he said.
The Unit works in close synergy with Defence contractors at Amberley and with the US Navy.
“There is a much greater reliance on industry support for performing a number of the functions that would have previously been done in the SPO, including all of the platform integration activities,” Steve said.
“The Super Hornet is therefore very reliant on industry support and we have a range of contracts with Boeing, General Electric, Raytheon, British Aerospace and TAE, as subcontractor to GE.
“In addition, we rely on the US Navy for providing much of the engineering support as our aircraft are remaining common with the US Navy’s Super Hornet fleet.”
As part of establishing the Logistics Management Unit at Amberley, there has been a recruitment program to increase the workforce at Amberley.
The Unit recently grew to 17 members including 11 APS and six military personnel.
Like a number of the staff at the SPO, Steve brings extensive experience stemming from an Air Force career.
Most recently, Secker worked at Amberley’s Combat Support Group Headquarters as part of the CSG improvement program team and previously at RAAF Williamtown working on the Classic Hornet Electronic Warfare upgrade program.