Low level Kuwaiti F/A-18E

Near factory fresh F/A-18E with serial 802 (BuNo 169707) was caught on camera by our friend Steve Lewis over the wilderness of California.

This Kuwaiti Hornet is still awaiting it's final markings and was on its way to NAS China Lake (CA).

On 17 November 2016, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency submitted the approval to supply the Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya (KAF, Kuwait Air Force) F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with equipment, training facilities and support.

However, the eventual sale of F/A-18 Super Hornets to Kuwait was held up by a delay in the US State Department's approval. By then, Kuwait had already ordered 28 Typhoons (in April 2016), with a mix of 22 single-seat and six two-seat aircraft.

This led to some confusion as to whether Super Hornets or Typhoons would replace Kuwait’s remaining fleet of 34 legacy F/A-18C/D Hornets.

The Kuwaiti order was originally expected to be for a total forty Super Hornets, including an initial batch of 28 aircraft, and with an option on twelvemore aircraft. Eventually Kuwait ordered 28 examples of the Typhoon and 28 Block III Super Hornets; the latter with the same single-/two-seat mix as the Typhoons. This way, the country is expanding its fighter force and re-establishing a two-type frontline force.

Photos: Steve Lewis