Boeing fitted this F/A-18F with engineering mock-ups of the key features of the proposed Super Hornet International upgrade.

Super Hornet International features a semi-conformal EO/IRST (electro-optical and infrared search and track) system - the optics are housed in a stealthy fairing under the nose, mounted on the gun bay door.

The key to reducing radar cross-section lies in eliminating under-wing stores, so the Super Hornet International includes an enclosed weapons pod, to be carried on the centreline station. Faceted and constructed from stealthy materials, the pod can comfortably accommodate four AIM-120 AMRAAMs.

Removable and retrofitable low-drag conformal fuel tanks are fitted to the upper fuselage, above the LERX fins and on each side of the fuselage spine, plumbing directly into the wing fuel tanks.

The aircraft offers a new missile and laser warning system, giving 360° spherical coverage, with this aft-facing sensor above and a forward facing sensor under the nose.