The F/A-18 Hornet, an all-weather aircraft, is used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support.
Features of F/A-18 Super Hornet
The F/A-18E/F aircraft are 4.2 feet longer than earlier Hornets, have a 25% larger wing area, and carry 33% more internal fuel which will effectively increase mission range by 41% and endurance by 50%.
It has an all-weather air-to-air radar and a control system for accurate delivery of conventional or guided weapons
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.
Variants:
F/A-18E Super Hornet: single seat variant
F/A-18F Super Hornet: two-seat variant
EA-18G Growler: The electronic warfare version of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, slated to begin production in 2008, with fleet deployment in 2009. The EA-18G will replace the U.S. Navy's EA-6B Prowler.
Product life cycle:
The US Navy F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet maritime strike attack aircraft, manufactured by Boeing, flew for the first time on November 29 1995.
The first low-rate initial production aircraft was delivered in December 1998, and all 12 of the first batch were delivered by November 1999. In February 1999, the US Navy placed an order for 30 Super Hornets, in addition to the 12 already ordered. Following successful completion of operational evaluation, in June 2000 the USN ordered 222 fighters to be produced over the next five years.
The first full-rate production aircraft was delivered in September 2001. Over 200 aircraft have been delivered.
A second multi-year contract was signed in January 2004 for 42 aircraft to be purchased between 2005 and 2009. Total requirement is for at least 545 aircraft.
Unit cost US$54.7 million
Specifications:
Dimensions:
Length: 60.07ft (18.31m)
Width:44.69ft (13.62m)
Height: 16.01ft (4.88m)
Structure:
Accommodation: 1 or 2
Hardpoints: 11
Empty Weight: 30,565lbs (13,864kg)
MTOW: 47,003lbs (21,320kg)
Performance:
Max Speed: 1,187mph (1,911kmh; 1,032kts)
Rate-of-Climb: classified
Service Ceiling: 49,213ft (15,000m; 9.3miles)
Powerplant:
Engine(s): 2 x General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofan engines generating 22,000lbs of thrust with afterburner.
Armament Suite:
1 x 20mm cannon
Mission-specific ordnance limited up to 17,750lbs may include any of the following:
AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
AIM-120 AMRAAM - air-to-air missiles
AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles
AGM-84E SLAM
AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles
SLAM-ER
AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missiles
LAU Multiple Rocket Launcher
AGM-154 JSW (Joint Standoff Weapon) bombs
Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bombs
B61 Nuclear Dumb Bomb
Paveway Laser-Guided Bombs (LGB)
Mk 80 General Purpose Bombs
Mk-20 Rockeye II Cluster Bombs
Mk 20 CBU Cluster Bombs
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