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| The F/A-18 Hornet is a modern all-weather carrier-capable strike fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. Designed in the 1970s for service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, the Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations. It has been the aerial demonstration aircraft for the Blue Angels since 1986. Its primary missions are fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), interdiction, close air support and reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset, though it has been criticized for its lack of range and payload compared to its contemporaries. A version exported to Finland and Switzerland without ground attack capabilities is called the F-18 Hornet.
The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a distinct, evolutionary upgrade to the F/A-18 designed to serve a complementary role with Hornets in the U.S. Navy. The single seat F/A-18E and two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornets carry over the name and design concept of the original F/A-18, but have been extensively redesigned. The Super Hornet has a new, 25% larger airframe, more powerful GE F414 engines based on F/A-18's F404, and upgraded avionics suite. The aircraft is currently in production and will eventually equip 22 squadrons. The EA-18G Growler is an electronic warfare version of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, slated to begin production in 2008, with fleet deployment in 2009. The EA-18G will replace the Navy's EA-6B Prowler and the already-retired Air Force EF-111A Ravens. SPECIFICATIONS (F/A-18C Hornet): Crew: 1 Length: 56 ft 0 in (17.1 m) Wingspan: 40 ft 0 (12.3 m) Height: 15 ft 4 in (4.7 m) Wing area: 400 ft² (38 m²) Airfoil: NACA 65A005 mod root, 65A003.5 mod tip Empty weight: 24,700 lb (11,200 kg) Loaded weight: 37,150 lb (16,850 kg) Max takeoff weight: 51,550 lb (23,400 kg) Powerplant: 2× General Electric F404-GE-402 turbofans, 17,751 lbf (79 kN) each PERFORMANCE: Maximum speed: Mach 1.8 (1,127 mph, 1,814 km/h) at 36,100 ft (11,000 m) Combat radius: 330 mi (290 nm, 20535 km) on hi-lo-lo-hi mission Ferry range: 2,070 mi (1,800 nm, 3,330 km) Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m) Rate of climb: 50,000 ft/min (254 m/s) Wing loading: 93 lb/ft² (450 kg/m²) Thrust/weight: >0.95 |
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| Bibliography: Wikipedia |