In First, Navy Super Hornet Launches from 'Ski Jump' to Prove it Can Fly Off Foreign Carriers Boeing Super Hornet demonstrates ski-jump launch capability at demonstrations held at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, December 21, 2020. (Photo: Boeing) 30 Dec 2020 A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet has demonstrated it can take off from a 'ski jump' ramp, proving it can someday operate from international aircraft carriers. The Navy and Boeing Co. tested this capability at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, according to a December Boeing release. The demo was conducted for India, which is looking to buy new carrier-based fighters that can launch from its short-runway ships.