The F/A-18 Hornet is built for aircraft carrier duty and was the first tactical aircraft designed to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. As a fighter, and an attack aircraft, it is designated "F/A".
Designed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing) and Northrop (now part of Northrop Grumman), the F/A-18 was derived from the YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
The U.S. Marines ordered it as an F-18 fighter and the Navy as an A-18 attack aircraft. It can switch roles easily and can also be adapted for photoreconnaissance and electronic countermeasure missions. The F/A-18 Hornet was also the first aircraft to have carbon fiber wings and the first tactical jet fighter to use digital fly-by-wire flight controls.
Variants include a two-seater, an improved fighter, a reconnaissance aircraft and a night-attack fighter. Hornets entered active duty in January 1983. It can also perform aerial refueling operations.
F/A-18 carrier launch operations (US Navy Photo) |
The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet made its first flight in November of 1995. The Super Hornet is a low-observable aircraft that performs multiple missions, including air superiority, day-and-night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, and close air support. The Super Hornet is produced in the single-seat E model and the two-seat F model.
The F/A-18E/F is 25% larger than the original Hornet and has increased maneuverability, range, and payload, and more powerful engines. It entered operational service with the U.S. Navy in 1999.
In 2008, the E/A-18G Growler joined the Navy’s aircraft fleet. A Super Hornet derivative, the E/A-18G provides tactical jamming and electronic protection for U.S. and allied forces, delivering full-spectrum airborne electronic attack capability along with the targeting and self-defense capabilities of the Super Hornet.
The F/A-18 is also used by a number of Allied countries, such as Canada, Finland, Spain, Switzerland, Australia and others.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels have flown the F/A-18 since November of 1986.
The Hornet-Super Hornet series has these main variants (see photos below):
F/A-18 carrier deck operations (US Navy Photo) |
F/A-18C Hornet in flight (US Navy Photo) |
F/A-18E Super Hornet landing on carrier (US Navy Photo) |
F/A-18F Super Hornet in flight (US Navy Photo) |
F/A-18 of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Demonstration Team (US Navy Photo) |
F/A-18 Hornet 12-09 of the Spanish Air Force - 2014 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
Spanish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet 12-09 at takeoff (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
F/A-18 J-5020 of the Swiss Air Force, seen at Luxeuil in 2015 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
Swiss Air Force F/A-18 J-5020 at Luxeuil in 2015 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
F/A-18 017 of the Swiss Air Force Falcons at St Dizier, France in 2011 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
F/A-18 017 of the Swiss Air Force Falcons at St Dizier, France in 2011 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
F/A-18 J-5233 of the Swiss Air Force (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
Swiss Air Force F/A-18 Hornet J-5233 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
Swiss Air Force F/A-18 Hornet J-5011 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
F/A-18 Hornet, J5026, of the Swiss Air Force, at Luxeuil, France, September 2021 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
Swiss Air Force F/A-18 Hornet J-5016 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric) |
F/A-18A Hornet, BuNo 162442, VMFA 314 (Photo by 309th AMARG) |
F/A-18A Hornet, BuNo 163151 from VFA-204 Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, LA (Photo by 309th AMARG) |