All-weather fighter and attack aircraft. The single-seat F/A-18 Hornet is the nation's first strike-fighter. It was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air support
without compromising its fighter capabilities. With its excellent
fighter and self-defense capabilities, the F/A-18 at the same time
increases strike mission survivability and supplements the F-14 Tomcat
in fleet air defense.
F/A-18 Hornets are currently operating in 37 tactical squadrons from
air stations world-wide, and from 10 aircraft carriers. The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron proudly flies them. The Hornet
comprises the aviation strike force for seven foreign customers
including Canada, Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and
Switzerland.
The newest model, Super Hornet, is highly capable across the full mission spectrum: air superiority, fighter escort, reconnaissance, aerial refueling, close air support, air defense suppression and day/night precision strike. Compared to the original F/A-18 A through D models, Super Hornet
has longer range, an aerial refueling capability, increased
survivability/lethality and improved carrier suitability. *Capability
of precision-guided munitions: JDAM (all variants) and JSOW. JASSM in
the future*
Capabilities and Features
The F/A-18 Hornet,
an all-weather aircraft, is used as an attack aircraft as well as a
fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter
escort and forfleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support.
History and Background
The F/A-18 demonstrated its capabilities and versatility during Operation Desert Storm,
shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently bombing enemy targets
with the same aircraft on the same mission, and breaking all records
for tactical aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability.
Hornets taking direct hits from surface-to-air missiles, recovering
successfully, being repaired quickly, and flying again the next day
proved the aircraft's survivability. The F/A-18 is a twin engine,
mid-wing, multi-mission tactical aircraft. The F/A-18A and C are single
seat aircraft. The F/A-18B and D are dual-seaters. The B model is used
primarily for training, while the D model is the current Navy aircraft
for attack, tactical air control, forward air control and
reconnaissance squadrons. The newest models, the E and F were rolled
out at McDonnell Douglas Sept. 17, 1995. The E is a single seat while
the F is a two-seater.
The F/A-18 E/F acquisition program was an unparalleled success. The
aircraft emerged from Engineering and Manufacturing Development meeting
all of its performance requirements on cost,
on schedule and 400 pounds under weight. All of this was verified in
Operational Verification testing, the final exam, passing with flying
colors receiving the highest possible endorsement.
The first operational cruise of Super Hornet, F/A-18 E, was with
VFA-115 onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on July 24, 2002, and
saw initial combat action on Nov. 6, 2002, when they participated in a
strike on hostile targets in the "no-fly" zone in Iraq.
Super Hornet, flew combat sorties
from Abraham Lincoln during Southern Watch, demonstrating reliability
and an increased range and payload capability. VFA 115 embarked aboard
Lincoln expended twice the amount of bombs as other squadrons in their
airwing (with 100% accuracy) and met and exceeded all readiness
requirements while on deployment. The SuperHornet cost per flight hour is 40% of the F-14 Tomcat and requires 75% less labor hours per flight hour.
All F/A-18s can be configured quickly to perform either fighter or
attack roles or both, through selected use of external equipment to
accomplish specific missions. This "force multiplier" capability gives
the operational commander more flexibility in employing tactical
aircraft in a rapidly changing battle scenario. The fighter missions
are primarily fighter escort andfleet air defense; while the attack missions are force projection, interdiction, and close and deep air support.
The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987
incorporating provisions for employing updated missiles and jamming
devices against enemy ordnance. C and D models delivered since 1989
also include an improved night attack capability. The E and F models
have built on the proven effectiveness of the A through D aircraft. The
SuperHornet provides aircrew the capability and performance necessary to face 21st century threats.
General Characteristics, Super Hornet, E and F models
Primary Function: Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft.
Contractor: McDonnell Douglas.
Date Deployed: First flight in November 1995. Initial
Operational Capability (IOC) in September 2001 with VFA-115, NAS
Lemoore, Calif. First cruise for VFA-115 is onboard the USS Abraham
Lincoln.
Unit Cost: $57 million
Propulsion: Two F414-GE-400 turbofan engines. 22,000 pounds (9,977 kg) static thrust per engine.
Length: 60.3 feet (18.5 meters).
Height: 16 feet (4.87 meters).
Wingspan: 44.9 feet (13.68 meters).
Weight: Maximum Take Off Gross Weight is 66,000 pounds (29,932 kg).
Airspeed: Mach 1.8+.
Ceiling: 50,000+ feet.
Range: Combat: 1,275 nautical miles (2,346 kilometers), clean plus two AIM-9s
Ferry: 1,660 nautical miles (3,054 kilometers), two AIM-9s, three 480 gallon tanks retained.
Crew: A, C and E models: One
B, D and F models: Two.
Armament: One M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon; AIM 9
Sidewinder, AIM-9X (projected), AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon,
Harm, SLAM, SLAM-ER (projected), Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off
Weapon (JSOW); Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); Data Link Pod;
Paveway Laser Guided Bomb; various general purpose bombs, mines and
rockets.
General Characteristics, C and D models
Primary Function: Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft.
Contractor: Prime: McDonnell Douglas; Major Subcontractor: Northrop.
Date Deployed: November 1978. Operational - October 1983 (A/B models); September 1987 (C/D models).
Unit Cost: $29 million.
Propulsion: Two F404-GE-402 enhanced performance turbofan engines. 17,700 pounds static thrust per engine.
Length: 56 feet (16.8 meters).
Height: 15 feet 4 inches (4.6 meters).
Wingspan: 40 feet 5 inches (13.5 meters).
Weight: Maximum Take Off Gross Weight is 51,900 pounds (23,537 kg).
Airspeed: Mach 1.7+.
Ceiling: 50,000+ feet.
Range: Combat: 1,089 nautical miles (1252.4 miles/2,003 km), clean plus two AIM-9s
Ferry: 1,546 nautical miles (1777.9 miles/2,844 km), two AIM-9s plus three 330 gallon tanks.
Crew: A, C and E models: One
B, D and F models: Two
Armament: One M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon; AIM 9
Sidewinder, AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon, Harm, SLAM,
SLAM-ER, Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW); Joint Direct
Attack Munition (JDAM); various general purpose bombs, mines and
rockets.
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