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Key Points: A recent sighting of a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet in “beast mode” carrying a heavy load of missiles, including four AIM-174B long-range air-to-air missiles, has sparked interest.

-This configuration, captured at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, highlights testing by VX-9 “Vampires,” a secretive squadron evaluating advanced naval aviation capabilities.

-The AIM-174B, a naval adaptation of the SM-6 missile, enhances the Super Hornet’s standoff capabilities.

-This loadout could offer tactical advantages against enemy aircraft, tankers, and command systems, supporting carrier operations while staying outside the range of adversaries’ missile systems.

U.S. Navy Super Hornet Unveiled in Beast Mode with Advanced Missiles

Whoa! I have never seen a U.S. Navy F/A-18 F Super Hornet loaded down with weapons like this. I am talking about a recent photo of a Super Hornet in “beast mode.” This means that the jet in question is carrying a large amount of munitions with four very long-range AIM-174B air-to-air missiles and three medium-range AMRAAMs, plus two shorter-range Sidewinders.

Take a Closer Look

The eagle-eyed folks at the War Zone publication also spotted an infrared search and track system (IRST) and an ATFLIR targeting pod. The War Zone discovered the image on Instagram from a mysterious account called @point_mugu_skies, which has over 65,000 followers and lists its location at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California.

‘Vampires’ Out for Blood

The squadron emblem or livery on the beast mode Super Hornet looks to be from VX-9 or Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine. Nicknamed the Vampires, these airplanes fly out of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California. The Vampires also test EA-18G Growlers. The Navy says on its official web site that “VX-9 is a squadron that operates various aircraft in support of testing and evaluating weapons and their related systems.”

There is a contact number for a duty officer at China Lake who might be able to point a journalist to a public affairs officer for a quote or two, but that is about it. I called the duty officer, and this person did not know if there was a public affairs office on base. I wonder if he was stonewalling me.

F/A-18F: U.S Test and Evaluation for Super Hornets Is Secretive

Anyway, that’s a pretty vague description on the website, and it probably means that the Navy likes to keep VX-9 activities hush-hush. Other than that missive, the Vampire’s website just lists commanding officers and non-commissioned officers and not specific details of activities or tests.

Somehow, the Instagram account took this exciting photo of the Super Hornet in beast mode.

Just Training and No Live Fire

As for the weapons, the War Zone said that “the four large missiles carried under the aircraft’s wings are training versions of the Navy’s air-launched variant of the multi-role, long-range surface-launched SM-6 missile, the AIM-174B, the existence of which was only officially acknowledged this summer and that is said to be in operational service on some level.”

That’s interesting and the evaluators at VX-9 are likely testing the airplane’s ability to carry the extra weight rather than doing a live fire missile test.

These Are Dangerous Times for the Navy

The long-range AIM-174B comes at a time that is fraught for the Navy. The Middle East is a flash point. Israel could pre-emptively strike Iran to keep it from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The Russian air force is adjusting to modern aerial combat over the skies in Ukraine. China is also improving the range of its fighters and missiles.

Improving Naval Tactics and Operational Art

The Vampires are likely trying different outlays for its beast mode F/18-F Super Hornet. If successful, the carrier aviators will have an advantage over foes with stand-off weapons. This means that a carrier could remain out of the range of Chinese anti-ship missiles, launch the Super Hornet in beast mode, and use the long-range missiles against aerial targets. That’s a pretty good tactical and operational advantage.

Confuse the Enemy

Targets for the Super Hornet in this weapons configuration would probably be enemy tankers, electronic warfare aircraft, and command and control airplanes. This would help “blind” the Chinese air force in a Day One engagement.

Don’t Forget the Growlers

The ‘beast mode’ F/A-18 Super Hornet is pushing the envelope, and that is an encouraging development, considering the threat environment these days. The Vampires are “blood thirsty” and looking to make test flights into real combat operations. The next step will be live fire tests of the AIM-174B, and we will keep an eye open for that type of activity. Our friend on Instagram is likely prepping the camera to capture images of a live-fire test and more Super Hornet beast mode training missions from the Vampires.

And don’t forget the Vampires test Growlers, too. Naval aviation depends on electronic warfare and the jamming of enemy radar and sensors. Growlers could always be improved for that potential clash with China if it ever happens.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.