F/A-18 (F-18)

🇺🇸United States

Boeing

1995 – Present

Overview

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is an attack aircraft as well as a fighter through selected use of external equipment and advanced networking capabilities to accomplish specific missions. It serves as escort and fleet air defense in its fighter mode and provides force projection, interdiction, and close and deep air support in its attack mode. The Super Hornet is the U.S. Navy’s primary strike and air superiority aircraft, featuring a 20 percent larger airframe, 7,000 lb heavier empty weight, and 15,000 lb heavier maximum weight than the original Hornet. It carries 33 percent more internal fuel, increasing mission range by 41 percent and endurance by 50 percent over the earlier Hornet.

Specifications

General

Crew2

Engines2

StealthYes

Thrust Kn97.86 kN

Air To AirAIM 9 Sidewinder, AIM-9X, AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM

Internal GunM61A1/A2

Air To GroundHarpoon, Harm, SLAM, SLAM-ER, Maverick missiles, Joint Stand-Off Weapon, Joint Direct Attack Munition, Paveway Laser Guided Bomb

Ferry Range Km3,334 km

Max Speed Mach1.8 Mach

Combat Radius Km722 km

Service Ceiling M15,240 m

Research Notes

Carrier Multirole Fighter Lineage

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The F/A-18 Hornet was developed as a carrier-capable multirole aircraft combining fighter and attack missions in one airframe. It replaced more specialized aircraft in Navy and Marine Corps service and helped normalize the “strike fighter” concept. Its development prioritized naval suitability, reliability, and the ability to shift between air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Section Sources

F/A-18A-D Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Strike FighterUnited States Navy • 2021 • Supports carrier multirole fighter lineage context.

Fighter and Attack Flexibility

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The Hornet family supports air defense, strike, close air support, interdiction, and maritime roles from carriers and expeditionary bases. The Navy fact file describes Hornets as a workhorse of Marine Corps tactical aviation while NAVAIR continues to manage the wider F/A-18 and EA-18G portfolio. The page should explain the aircraft as a flexible operational system rather than just a fighter label.

Section Sources

F/A-18A-D Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Strike FighterUnited States Navy • 2021 • Supports fighter and attack flexibility context.F/A-18NAVAIR • 2026 • Supports fighter and attack flexibility context.

Fleet Aviation Workhorse

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The legacy F/A-18 mattered because it gave naval aviation a common platform for many missions and many allied users. It also provided the basis for the larger Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft. For HiWars, the page should connect the Hornet to carrier air wing simplification, Marine aviation, and allied tactical airpower.

Section Sources

F/A-18A-D Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Strike FighterUnited States Navy • 2021 • Supports fleet aviation workhorse context.

Variants (4)

Service Year	Name	Description
1974 –	YF-17 (F/A-18 F-18 prototype)	The Northrop YF-17, nicknamed "Cobra", is a prototype lightweight fighter aircraft designed by Northrop aviation for the United States Air Force's Lightweight Fighter (LWF) technology evaluation program. It was developed from a late 1960s Northrop concept fighter intended to replace the Northrop F-5. Only two YF-17 prototypes were built, with the first flight conducted on June 9th, 1974. The YF-17 was equipped with two General Electric Y101-100 turbojet engines with afterburners, each providing 14,400 lbf of thrust. It had a maximum speed of Mach 1.95 and a service ceiling of 18,225 meters.
1983 –	F/A-18A/B Hornet (F-18A/B)	The F/A-18A/B Hornet is a multirole fighter aircraft developed by McDonnell Douglas. The F/A-18A is a single-seat variant, while the F/A-18B is a two-seat variant primarily used for training but fully combat-capable. Both variants are equipped with a 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon and can carry a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. The aircraft was used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and has been replaced by newer models in U.S. service. It was also exported to several countries.
1987 –	F/A-18C/D Hornet (F-18C/D)	The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987 incorporating upgraded radar, avionics, and the capacity to carry new missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile and later on the AGM-84E SLAM as well as the IR version of the AGM-65 (AGM-65F). The F/A-18C is the single-seat variant and the F/A-18D is the two-seat variant. The D-model can be configured for training or as an all-weather strike craft. The F/A-18D is primarily operated by the U.S. Marine Corps in the night attack and Forward Air Controller (Airborne) (FAC(A)) roles. The aircraft can perform fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses, air interdiction, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance.
1999 –	F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (F-18E/F)	The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a carrier-capable multirole fighter aircraft developed by Boeing. It is an enlarged redesign of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, featuring a 25% larger airframe, more powerful engines, and advanced avionics. The Super Hornet is capable of performing a wide range of missions including air superiority, strike, reconnaissance, and aerial refueling. It is equipped with advanced radar and electronic warfare systems, and can carry a variety of weapons including air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. The aircraft is in service with the United States Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, and Kuwait Air Force.