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F/A-18 Hornet

The F/A-18 has a digital control-by-wire flight control system which provides excellent handling qualities, and allows pilots to learn to fly the airplane with relative ease. At the same time, this system provides exceptional maneuverability and allows the pilot to concentrate on operating the weapons system. A solid thrust-to-weight ratio and superior turn characteristics combined with energy sustainability, enable the F/A-18 to hold its own against any adversary. The power to maintain evasive action is what many pilots consider the Hornet's finest trait. In addition, the F/A-18 was also the Navy's first tactical jet aircraft to incorporate a digital, MUX bus architecture for the entire system's avionics suite. The benefit of this design feature is that the F/A-18 has been relatively easy to upgrade on a regular, affordable basis.

The F/A-18 has proven to be an ideal component of the carrier based tactical aviation equation over its 15 years of operational experience. The only F/A-18 characteristic found to be marginally adequate by battle group commanders, outside experts, and even the men who fly the Hornet, is its range when flown on certain strike mission profiles. However, the inadequacy is managed well with organic and joint tanking assets.

F/A-18A/B Hornet

The original F/A-18A (single seat) and F/A-18B (dual seat) became operational in 1983 replacing Navy and Marine Corps F-4s and A-7s. It quickly became the battle group commander's mainstay because of its capability, versatility and availability. Reliability and ease of maintenance were emphasized in its design, and F/A-18s have consistently flown three times more hours without failure than other Navy tactical aircraft, while requiring half the maintenance time.

The Hornet has been battle tested and has proved itself to be exactly what its designers intended: a highly reliable and versatile strike fighter. The F/A-18 played an important role in the 1986 strikes against Libya. Flying from USS CORAL SEA (CV 43), F/A-18s launched high-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARMs) against Libyan air defense radars and missile sites, effectively silencing them during the attacks on Benghazi facilities.

F/A-18C/D Hornet

Following a successful run of more than 400 A and B models, the US Navy began taking fleet deliveries of improved F/A-18C (single seat) and F/A-18D (dual seat) models in September 1987. These Hornets carry the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and the infrared imaging Maverick air-to-ground missile. Two years later, the C/D models came with improved night attack capabilities. The new components included a navigation forward looking infrared (NAVFLIR) pod, a raster head-up display, night vision goggles, special cockpit lighting compatible with the night vision devices, a digital color moving map and an independent multipurpose color display.

F/A-18Cs have synthetic aperture ground mapping radar with a doppler beam sharpening mode to generate ground maps. This ground mapping capability that permits crews to locate and attack targets in adverse weather and poor visibility or to precisely update the aircraft's location relative to targets during the approach, a capability that improves bombing accuracy. New production F/A-18Cs received the APG-73 radar upgrade radars starting in 1994, providing more precise and clear radar displays.

The F/A-18C Nigh Attack Hornet has a pod-mounted Hughes AN/AAR-50 thermal imaging navigation set, a Loral AN/AAS-38 Nite Hawk FLIR targeting pod, and GEC Cat's Eyes pilot's night vision goggles. Some 48 F/A-18D two-seat Hornets are configured as the F/A-18D (RC) reconnaissance version, with the M61A1 cannon replaced by a pallet-mounted electro-optical suite comprising a blister-mounted IR linescan and two roll-stabilized sensor units, with all of these units recording onto video tape.

On the first day of Operation Desert Storm, two F/A-18s, each carrying four 2,000 lb. bombs, shot down two Iraqi MiGs and then proceeded to deliver their bombs on target. Throughout the Gulf War, squadrons of U.S. Navy, Marine and Canadian F/A-18s operated around the clock, setting records daily in reliability, survivability and ton-miles of ordnance delivered.

Throughout its service, annual upgrades to F/A-18 weapon systems, sensors, etc. continued. The latest lot of the F/A-18C/D has grown to be far more capable (night attack, precision strike, low observable technologies, etc.) than the original F/A-18A/B; however, by 1991, it was becoming clear that avionics cooling, electrical, and space constraints would begin to limit future growth. Additionally, another operational deficiency was beginning to develop. As the F/A-18C/D empty weight increased the aircraft were returning to the carrier with less than optimal reserve fuel and/or unexpended weapons. The additional range and "bring back" is not as essential to shore based operations. F/A-18A/B/C/D aircraft will fly for years with the U.S. Marine Corps and eight international customers: Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand. Although the F/A-18C/D's future growth is now limited, it will also continue to fill a critical role in the U.S. Navy's carrier battle group for many years to come and will be an excellent complement to the larger, longer range, more capable F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

F/A-18E/F "Super Hornet"

The Super Hornet can carry approximately 17,750 pounds (8,032 kg) of external load on eleven stations. It has an all-weather air-to-air radar and a control system for accurate delivery of conventional or guided weapons. There are two wing tip stations, four inboard wing stations for fuel tanks or air-to-ground weapons, two nacelle fuselage stations for Sparrows or sensor pods, and one centerline station for fuel or air-to-ground weapons. An internal 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon is mounted in the nose.

Carrier recovery payload is increased to 9,000 pounds, and its engine thrust from 36,000 pounds to 44,000 pounds utilizing two General Electric F414 turbo-fan engines. Although the more recent F/A-18C/D aircraft have incorporated a modicum of low observables technology, the F/A-18E/F was designed from the outset to optimize this and other survivability enhancements.

Although 41% interdiction mission range increase may be the most notable F/A-18E/F improvement, the ability to recover aboard with optimal reserve fuel and a load of precision strike weapons, is of equal importance to the battle group commander. The growth potential of the F/A-18E/F is more important to allow flexible employment strategies in future years. If an electronically scanned array antenna or another installation-sensitive sensor or weapon system becomes available, the F/A-18E/F has the space, power and cooling to accommodate it. Although the more recent F/A-18C/D aircraft have incorporated a modicum of low observables technology, the F/A-18E/F was designed from the outset to optimize this and other survivability enhancements. The all-F/A-18C/D/E/F air wing brings an increase in capability to the carrier battle group while ensuring the potential to take advantage of technological advances for years to come.

Features of the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet:

90% Common F/A-18C/D Avionics: Avionics and software have a 90 percent commonality with current F/A-18C/Ds. However, the F/A-18E/F cockpit features a touch-sensitive, upfront control display; a larger, liquid crystal multipurpose color display; and a new engine fuel display.

34 in. Fuselage Extension: The fuselage is slightly longer - the result of a 34-inch extension.

Two Additional Multi-Mission Weapons Stations: Super Hornet has two additional weapons stations, bringing the total to 11. For aircraft carrier operations, about three times more payload can be brought back to the ship.

25% Larger Wing: A full 25 percent bigger than its predecessor, Super Hornet has nearly half as many parts.

35% Higher Thrust Engines: Increased engine power comes from the F414-GE-400, an advanced derivative of the Hornet's current F404 engine family. The F414 produces 35 percent more thrust and improves overall mission performance. Enlarged air inlets provide increased airflow to the engines.

33% Additional Internal Fuel: Structural changes to the airframe increase internal fuel capacity by 3,600 pounds, or about 33 percent. This extends the Hornet's mission radius by up to 40 percent.

Roll-out of the first Super Hornet occurred in September 1995, and it flew for the first time in November 1995, ahead of schedule and nearly 1,000 pounds under specified weight. In January 1997, the Super Hornet successfully conducted its initial sea trials on board the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74).

F/A-18G "Growler"

Specifications
Contractor	Boeing [McDonnell Douglas Aerospace] and Northrop Grumman (Airframe), General Electric (Engines), and Hughes (Radar)
	F/A-18C/D Hornet	F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
Power Plant	Two F404-GE-402 afterburning engines, each in the 18,000 pound thrust class, which results in a combat thrust-to-weight ratio greater than 1-to-1. Depending on the mission and loading, combat radius is greater than 500 nautical miles.	Twin F414-GE-400 engines, each in the 22,000 pound thrust class. On an interdiction mission, the E/F will fly up to 40 % further than the C/D.
Accommodations	The F/A-18C and F/A-18E are single seat aircraft. The D and F models are flown by two crew members. The aft seat in the D and F may be configured with a stick and throttle for the training environment (or without when crewed with a Weapons System Officer).
Performance	F/A-18C maximum speed at level flight in altitudes of 36,089 ft. Mach 1.7	F/A-18E maximum speed at level flight in altitudes of 36,089 ft. Mach 1.6
Armament	F/A-18C/D can carry up to 13,700 pounds of external ordnance. Weapon stations include: two wingtip stations for Sidewinders; two outboard wing stations for air-to-air or air-to-ground weapons; two inboard wing stations for fuel tanks, air-to-air, or air-to-ground weapons; two nacelle fuselage stations for AMRAAMs, Sparrows, or sensor pods; and one centerline station for fuel or air-to-ground weapons. M61 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon with 520 rounds of 20mm ammunition is internally mounted in the nose AIM-9 Sidewinder AIM-7F Sparrow AIM-120 AMRAAM AGM-65E Maverick AGM-84 Harpoon AGM-88A HARM MK82 10 CBU-87 10 CBU-89 GBU-12 GBU-24 JDAM B-57 or B-61 Nuclear bomb	F/A-18E/F can carry up to 17,750 pounds of external ordnance; two additional wing store stations have been added.
Mission and Capabilities	The F/A-18 Hornet can perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Cockpit displays and mission avionics are thoroughly integrated to enhance crew situational awareness and mission capability in high threat, adverse weather/night environments. Cockpits are night vision goggle compatible. Multi-Sensor Integration and advanced data link capabilities further enhance situational awareness.	The E/F model will be able to perform a strike tanker mission while carrying a self-protection air-to-air missile loadout. The E/F model will also have greater payload flexibility, increased mission radius, survivability, payload bring back, and a substantial avionics growth potential.
Unit cost $FY98 [Total Program]	$39.5 million.	$60 million
Program Summary	F/A-18A/B first entered operational service with the USN and USMC in 1982. Since 1982, more than 1,458 F/A-18s have been procured for the USN and USMC and for the armed services in Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Switzerland, Finland, and Malaysia. In 1987, the upgraded C/D model (with enhanced mission avionics) was introduced and upgraded with a night/adverse weather mission capability, On Board Oxygen Generating System, APG-73 Radar Upgrade, enhanced performance F404-GE-402 engines, and upgraded mission computers.	The first flight of the F/A-18E/F occurred in December 1995; operational deliveries are scheduled for late 1999.

External Dimensions
F/A-18C/D	F/A-18E/F
Wing span 11.43 m Wing span over missiles 12.31 m Wing chord (at root) 4.04 m Wing chord (at tip) 1.68 m Wing aspect ratio 3.52 Width, wings folded 8.38 m Length overall 17.07 m Height overall 4.66 m Tailplane span 6.58 m Distance between fin tips 3.60 m Wheel track 3.11 m Wheelbase 5.42 m	Wing span over missiles 13.62 meters Wing aspect ratio 4.00 Width wings folded 9.32 m Length overall 18.31 m Height overall 4.88 m
Areas
F/A-18C/D	F/A-18E/F
Wings, gross 37.16 m2 Ailerons (total) 2.27 m2 Leading-edge flaps (total) 4.50 m2 Trailing-edge flaps (total) 5.75 m2 Fins (total) 9.68 m2 Rudders (total) 1.45 m2 Tailerons (total) 8.18 m2	Wings, gross 46.45 sq. meters
Weights and Loadings
F/A-18C/D	F/A-18E/F
Weight empty 10,810 kg Maximum fuel weight: Internal (JP5) 4,926 kg External: F/A-18 (JP5) 3,053 kg CF-18 (JP4) 4,245 kg Maximum external stores load 7,031 kg Take off weight: Fighter mission 16,651 kg Attack mission Approx 23,541 kg Maximum Approx 25,401 kg Maximum wing loading (attack mission) 156,80 kg/kN	Weight, empty Design target 13.387 kg Specification limit 13.865 kg Maximum fuel weight: Internal 6.531 kg External (JP5) 4.436 kg Maximum external stores load (JP5) 8.051 kg T-O weight, attack mission 29.937 kg Maximum wing loading 620.0 kg/m2 Maximum power loading 147.1 kg /kN
Performance (At Maximum Takeoff Weight)
F/A-18C/D	F/A-18E/F
Max level speed More than Mach 1.8 Max speed, intermediate power More than Mach 1.0 Approach speed 134 knots Acceleration from 460 knots to 920 knots at 10,670 m under 2 min Combat ceiling approx 15,240 m T-O run Less than 427 m Minimum wind over deck: Launching 35 knots Recovery 19 knots Combat radius, interdiction, hi-lo-lo-hi 290 nm Combat endurance, CAP 150 nm from aircraft carrier 1 h 45 min Ferry range, unrefueled More than 1,800 nm	Maximum level speed at altitude more than Mach 1.8 Combat ceiling 13,865 m Minimum wind over deck: Launching 30 knots Recovery 15 knots Combat radius specification: Interdiction with four 1,000 lb bombs, two Sidewinders, and two 1,818 liter (480 U.S. gallon: 400 Imp gallon) external tanks, navigation FLIR and targeting FLIR: Forward Looking Infra-Red hi-lo-lo-hi 390 nm Fighter escort with two Sidewinders and two AMRAAMs 410 nm Combat endurance: maritime air superiority, six AAMs, three 1,818 liter external tanks, 150 nm from aircraft carrier. 2h 15 min

Weapons Loads FA-18E

MK	AGM	CBU	CBU	GBU	GBU	GBU		AIM	AIM	20
82	88	87	89	10	12	24	JDAM	9	120	MM
6								2	2	500
	2							2	2	500
		4						2	2	500
			4					2	2	500
				2				2	2	500
					6			2	2	500
						2		2	2	500
							2	2	2	500
								2	6	500
									8	500

VRML 3-D Model
F-18 Hornet VRML by Soji Yamakawa	F-18 Hornet Blue Angels VRML by Soji Yamakawa

F/A-18

F/A-18E/F

Sources and Resources

• Hornet Hyperlink USN PMA 265
• Hornet Headlines NAVAIR newsletter
• F/A18-E/F Super Hornet Main Navy Homepage
• Navy Fact File: F/A-18 Hornet
• F/A - 18E/F PROGRAM - Navy Acqusition Reform
• Naval Technology -F/A-18E/F

• F/A-18 Hornet(C/D @ Boeing)
• F/A-18E/F Super Hornet @ Boeing
• F/A-18 Hornet @ Northrop-Grumman
• F-18 @ GE
• F-18E @ GE

• HORNET! The F/A-18 Strike-Fighter [a pretty massive resource by Nicholas C. Zedlar]
• Boeing F-18 Hornet @ Fighter Tactics Academy
• Sea Serpent's Online Strike Fighter Tactics manual
• F-18 Hornet (in French)
• Hornet Ball
• Hornet's Nest--Aviation Marine Corps Style
• FA-18E/F vs. A-6E comparison From: hornet265@aol.com (HORNET265)
• F/A-18E/F DEVELOPMENT Congressional Record (Senate - October 23, 1991)
• F/A-18E/F DEVELOPMENT Mr. D'AMATO - Congressional Record (Senate - May 05, 1992)
• F/A-18E/F Mr. BOND -Congressional Record (Senate - June 30, 1992)
• SENATE RESOLUTION 80--REGARDING TACTICAL FIGHTER AIRCRAFT PROGRAMS Mr. FEINGOLD Congressional Record (Senate - April 30, 1997)
• THE NAVY'S F/A-18E/F SUPER HORNET PROGRAM Mr. FEINGOLD Congressional Record (Senate - March 23, 1998)
• 0204136N F/A-18 SQUADRONS FY98 R&D Budget Request
• F/A-18 E/F excerpts - House National Security Committee Authorization Act for FY 1998
• F/A-18E/F Update Chuck Spinney -- 01 Apr 1998
• F/A-18E/F -- Good to Go? Chuck Spinney -- 02 Apr 1998
• First Super Hornet squadron ready to stand up Navy News Service 04/99 (Jan. 20, 1999)
• Super Hornet enters operational evaluation NAVY WIRE SERVICE (NWS) - 7 June 1999 - The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, entered operational evaluation (OPEVAL) May 27. OPEVAL is scheduled to last six months and will be conducted by an all-Navy independent test team.
• The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: A Test Pilot Dispels The Myths By CDR Rob Niewoehner -- 14 April 1999 -- There has been a great deal of interest recently in the press regarding the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet program, its progress through the flight test phase, and the requirements for the airplane in preparation for operational test.
• F/A-18 Super Hornet development testing complete The Weaponeer 10 June 1999 -- Following more than 270 test flights and more than 2,000 laboratory test hours, the F/A-18 Advanced Weapons Laboratory (AWL) at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division concluded several years' contribution to the development of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
• Super Hornet Multi-Year Procurement Approved F/A-18 Public Affairs Office October 28, 1999 -- President Clinton signed the fiscal 2000 Defense Appropriations Bill. Included in the Bill is approval for a multi-year procurement of 222 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets over the next five years.
• Final LRIP 1 Super Hornet Delivered 6 Weeks Early F/A-18 Public Affairs Office 10 Nov 1999 -- The last of the first 12 low-rate initial production (LRIP) Super Hornets was delivered to the U.S. Navy on November 9, six weeks ahead of schedule.
• "SUPER HORNET" OPERATIONAL EVALUATION RESULTS ANNOUNCED February 15, 2000 - Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jay Johnson, stated "The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is the cornerstone of the future of naval aviation. The superb performance demonstrated throughout its comprehensive operational evaluation was just what we expected."
• DoD Special Briefing on "SUPER HORNET" Operation Evaluation Results February 15, 2000 -- The results were the best we could hope for. The airplane was rated operationally effective and operationally suitable. This is the highest grade the aircraft could receive. We believe we have a very mature aircraft here; we believe we have an aircraft that's ready for the fleet.
• Workload makes Hornet jets candidates for refurbishing, Stars and Stripes, 08 September 2000 -- The high operations tempo of recent years has pushed hundreds of the Navy's F/A-18 Hornet attack jets toward the end of their service life faster than anticipated and has sparked a 12-year, $878 million program to keep the workhorse tactical aircraft flying.

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