Photostory: Test day for the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet in Switzerland

A Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet takes off during a test and evaluation day at the Swiss Army airbase, in Payerne, Switzerland.

Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet takes off  in Payerne as part of the process for the five types of combat aircraft – Eurofighter Typhoon, the Boeing F-18 Super Hornet, the Dassault Rafale, the Lockheed Martin F-35A and the Saab Gripen E -under consideration to replace the country’s ageing fleet. Several demonstrations are scheduled between now and early July.

The process is part of the Swiss “Air 2030” program, an $8.2 billion project to buy new aircraft and ground-based equipment for policing the country’s airspace. All contenders must complete eight test flights each, including one at night.

In mid-May, Dassault will demonstrate the twin-engine Rafale jet. The F-35 and Saab Gripen E trials are scheduled to complete the line-up of test whilst the Eurofighter Typhoon evaluation was already done a few weeks ago.

Photos: EPA-EFE/VALENTIN FLAURAUD