The F/A-18 Hornet
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A total of 140 + pictures many of them exclusive to this site.
Information on the USN's Hornet squadron's.
Facts and
Stats. (F/A-18A/C)
Description: The Hornet was designed as the United States first strike fighter. The plane has attack capabilities including close air support and interdiction without having to compromise on its ability as a fighter. It displayed these abilities in Operation Desert Storm, where the plane bombed enemy targets and shot down enemy aircraft in the same mission. The plane supplements the F-14 Tomcat in the United States Navy inventory. The plane is in operation with 37 squadrons in the USN on 10 aircraft carriers. These include the Blue Angels aerobatics demonstration squadron (Pictures of the Blue Angels in action can be found here). It is also flown by the U.S. Marine Corps, The Royal Australian Air Force, The Canadian Air force amongst others.
The A and C versions of the Hornet are single seaters. The B and D are two seaters. The B is primarily used for training nowadays and the D version is the Navy's current tatical air control, forward air control, attack and reconnaissance aircraft. The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987 incorporating provisions for employing updated missiles and jamming devices against enemy ordnance. C and D models delivered since 1989 also include an improved night attack capability. The newest versions of the F/A-18 the E and F were rolled out in September 1995 and are currently undergoing testing. Read about them here.
First flight: 1978 (F/A-18A) Operational: October 1983 (A/B), September 1987 (C/D)
Characteristics of the F/A-18 C and D
Crew: C: One D: Two
Unit Cost: $ 24 million
Engines: 2 x General Electric F404-GE-402
Thrust: 157 kN / 35,400 lbs / 16054 kg static thrust
Wingspan: 13.5 m / 40 feet 5 inches
Length: 16.8 m / 56 feet
Height: 4.6m / 15 feet 4 inches
Wing Area: 37.2 sq. m / 400 sq. feet
Max take-off weight: 23,537 kg / 51,900 lbs
Max Speed: 2000 kmph / 1240 mph (Mach 1.7 at Sea level)
Cruising Speed: 1250 kmph / 775 mph (Mach 1.05 at Sea level)
Landing Speed: 240 kmph / 150 mph (Mach 0.2 at Sea level)
Service Ceiling: 15,000m / 50,000 feet
Range (max fuel): 3,700 km
Range (max payload): 740 km
Range (in usual configuration):
Fighter: 2,537 km / 1,379 nautical miles / 1,585.9 miles
Attack: 2,453 km / 1,333 nautical miles / 1,532.9 miles
Armament: 1 x M61 A1/ A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon and upto 7,700 kg / 17,000 lbs of weapons on 9 external hardpoints which include: AIM 9 Sidewinder, AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon, Harm, Shrike, SLAM, SLAM-ER, Walleye, Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW); Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); various general purpose bombs, mines and rockets.
The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet
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First Flight: (F/A-18E) December 1995 |
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Crew: E: One F: Two |
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Unit Cost: $ 35 million |
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Engines: 2 x General ElectricF414-GE-400 |
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Thrust: 194 kN / 44,000 lbs / 19,934 kg static thrust |
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Wingspan: 13.68 m / 44.9 feet |
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Length: 18.5 m / 60.3 feet |
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Height: 4.87 m / 16 feet |
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Maximum Take-off weight: 29,932 kg / 66,000 lbs |
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Max Speed: 2,150 kph / 1,330 mph / Mach 1.8+ at sea level |
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Service Ceiling: 15,000+ m / 50,000+ feet |
Armament: 1 x M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon; and upto 9100 kgs / 20,000 lbs of weaponry on 11 external hardpoints which include: AIM 9 Sidewinder, AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon, Harm, Shrike, SLAM, SLAM-ER, Walleye, Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW); Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); various general purpose bombs, mines and rockets.
I should have more information on the Super Hornet soon, that is as soon as it is released. Till then feast your eyes on this 3-view.
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