When not devoted to ordnance, the two inboard underwing stations (Stations 3 and 7) can also carry these tanks, with only the outermost of the underwing pylons fitted with offensive weapons. The outboard SUU-23 pylons (Stations 2 and 8) are fully capable of carrying *empty* tanks, but this is extremely rare. A belly tank is also often suspended from the SUU-62 pylon at centerline Station 5. Although three such tanks usually suffice for ferry ranges out to some 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km), 480-gallon tanks can be substituted on any or all three stations. Super Hornets uses this larger tank as standard.
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In 1996-97 at its Patuxent River, Maryland test center, McDonnell Douglas tested the viability of replacing the 330-gallon external tanks with significantly larger 660-gallon (2,270 l) tanks. The Hornet's export clientele around the world have the option of purchasing this new addition, but the USN and USMC have opted out, for the bigger tanks are deemed incompatible with carrier operations.
