F/A-18 Hornets are currently operating in 37 tactical squadrons fromair stations world-wide, and from 10 aircraft carriers. The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron proudly flies them. The Hornetcomprises the aviation strike force for seven foreign customersincluding Canada, Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain andSwitzerland.
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 Hornethas longer range, an aerial refueling capability, increasedsurvivability/lethality and improved carrier suitability. *Capabilityof precision-guided munitions: JDAM (all variants) and JSOW. JASSM inthe future*
Capabilities and Features
The F/A-18 Hornet,an all-weather aircraft, is used as an attack aircraft as well as afighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighterescort 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 targetswith the same aircraft on the same mission, and breaking all recordsfor tactical aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability.
Hornets taking direct hits from surface-to-air missiles, recoveringsuccessfully, being repaired quickly, and flying again the next dayproved 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 singleseat aircraft. The F/A-18B and D are dual-seaters. The B model is usedprimarily for training, while the D model is the current Navy aircraftfor attack, tactical air control, forward air control andreconnaissance squadrons. The newest models, the E and F were rolledout at McDonnell Douglas Sept. 17, 1995. The E is a single seat whilethe F is a two-seater.
The F/A-18 E/F acquisition program was an unparalleled success. Theaircraft emerged from Engineering and Manufacturing Development meetingall of its performance requirements on cost,on schedule and 400 pounds under weight. All of this was verified inOperational Verification testing, the final exam, passing with flyingcolors receiving the highest possible endorsement.
The first operational cruise of Super Hornet, F/A-18 E, was withVFA-115 onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on July 24, 2002, andsaw initial combat action on Nov. 6, 2002, when they participated in astrike on hostile targets in the "no-fly" zone in Iraq.
Super Hornet, flew combat sortiesfrom Abraham Lincoln during Southern Watch, demonstrating reliabilityand an increased range and payload capability. VFA 115 embarked aboardLincoln expended twice the amount of bombs as other squadrons in theirairwing (with 100% accuracy) and met and exceeded all readinessrequirements 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 orattack roles or both, through selected use of external equipment toaccomplish specific missions. This "force multiplier" capability givesthe operational commander more flexibility in employing tacticalaircraft in a rapidly changing battle scenario. The fighter missionsare 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 1987incorporating provisions for employing updated missiles and jammingdevices against enemy ordnance. C and D models delivered since 1989also include an improved night attack capability. The E and F modelshave built on the proven effectiveness of the A through D aircraft. TheSuperHornet 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. InitialOperational Capability (IOC) in September 2001 with VFA-115, NASLemoore, Calif. First cruise for VFA-115 is onboard the USS AbrahamLincoln.
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 9Sidewinder, AIM-9X (projected), AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon,Harm, SLAM, SLAM-ER (projected), Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-OffWeapon (JSOW); Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); Data Link Pod;Paveway Laser Guided Bomb; various general purpose bombs, mines androckets.
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 9Sidewinder, AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon, Harm, SLAM,SLAM-ER, Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW); Joint DirectAttack Munition (JDAM); various general purpose bombs, mines androckets.
