Developed as a replacement for the F-14 as a carrier air power provider the F/A-18 Hornet is a strike fighter used by the Navy and Marine Corps. Before replacing the Tomcat it has replaced the A-7 Corsair and the F-4 Phantom within the carrier air wing. From the Marines it has replaced the A-4 Skyhawk, with the Night Attack version replacing the A-6E Intruder.
The aircraft boast high maneuverability, the ability to operate in either an attack or fighter role, requiring only a weapons rack change. It boasts low maintenance requirements with easy access to the aircraft systems.
The tail section has a characteristic twin upright fin design with both fins diverging outward and upward at an angle of 20 deg. Both fins are mounted atop the two turbofan engines, which are fed by the intakes located beneath the wings. Just atop and forward of the intakes are the Leading Edge Root Extensions, this surface allowing for better airflow during low airspeed operations and high angle of attack flight. It can be identified as a triangular extension head of the wing as in the picture below.
The avionics include the Hughes AN/APG-65 radar and electronic support measures that include the AN/ALR-50 and ALR-67 radar warning receiver, with subsequent improvements improving radar memory and processing power.
In keeping with its ability to function in multiple roles the aircraft has a wide assortment of weaponry it can choose from. The airframe has mounting points for air to air, air to ground, and anti-ship missiles.
The Hornet achieved operational capability in 1983, with production delivering 1,070 units by 1992. The airframe has gone on to see service in Persian Gulf with both the Navy and the Marine Corps. conducting defense and suppression operations against enemy target proving its flexibility as an aircraft. It has even logged instances of air to air kills en route to the designated target using the AIM-9 missile. The twin engine design also allowed the aircraft to survive being hit by surface to air missiles and return home on one engine.
| Manufactured by | McDonnell Douglas/Northrop | ||
| Engines | 2 General Electric F-404-GE400 turbofan | ||
| Weight | Empty
23,050 lb / 10,455kg |
Max. Payload
17,000lb / 7,711 |
Max Take-Off 36,710lb/16,651kg (Fighter) 49,229lb/22,328kg (Attack) 56,000lb/25,401kg (Overload) |
| Dimensions | Wingspan 40ft. 5.0ins. /12.32m |
Length 56ft./17.07m |
Height 15ft. 3ins. / 4.66m |
| Performance | Max. Speed 1,187mph/1,910km/hr |
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