The US Navy and Boeing have begun flight testing of the distributed targeting system for the Super Hornet strike fighter at the Naval Air Warfare Center in China Lake, US.

The distributed targeting system produces targeting solutions for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircrews using onboard hardware and software process.

The Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft designed for all missions, including day and night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defences, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions.

Successful completion of the flight tests will allow operational testing for the targeting system to be conducted in late 2011.

The enhanced capability would be operational in F/A-18E/F aircraft by 2012.