A Super Hornet will be joining a Viper in the skies above Westmoreland County this summer.

A Navy F-18 Super Hornet jet tactical demonstration is the latest addition to the lineup of attractions scheduled for this year’s Shop ‘n Save Westmoreland Airshow, set for June 11-12 at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity.

It joins a similar appearance by a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon jet, also known as a Viper, among planned highlights of the show.

The F-18 “rounds out the show very nicely,” said Gabe Monzo, executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority, which runs the airport. “It’s a premier portion of the show. It will make a lot of noise and go very fast.”

While the Viper is based at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, the Super Hornet is assigned to the Navy’s West Coast Fleet Readiness and Training Squadron at Lemoore, Calif., south of Fresno.

According to the Navy, the twin-engine Super Hornet weighs 66,000 pounds and has a 45-foot wingspan. It can climb above an altitude of 50,000 feet and can travel at about twice the speed of sound.

It is about 7,000 pounds heavier and has a 50% higher range than the Hornet model that preceded it.

According to Monzo, two Super Hornet jets are expected for the show, with one remaining on the ground, among the static aircraft displays attendees will be able to enjoy once more.

At last year’s show, covid-19 precautions precluded ground displays while those attending watched from their parked vehicles.

Fans anticipating this year’s event are “excited just to get outside and walk around and get back to a normal air show,” said Monzo.

Gates will open at 10 a.m. each day.

Tickets once more will be sold individually rather than by the carload. The general admission price will be $25 at the gate, $15 if purchased in advance at Shop ‘n Save supermarkets, beginning April 1.

There is an additional $5 parking fee, which benefits local fire departments.

Visit palmerairport.com for more information or to purchase VIP passes, priced at $200.

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