Role Carrier-based multirole fighter
National origin United States
Manufacturer McDonnell Douglas (1995–1997)
Boeing Defense, Space & Security (1997–present)
First flight 29 November 1995
Introduction 1999 2001 (IOC)
Status In service
Primary users United States Navy
Royal Australian Air Force
Kuwait Air Force
Produced 1995–present
Number built 632+ as of April 2020
Developed from McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
Variants Boeing EA-18G Growler
The Super Hornet is a redesign of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The wing and tail configuration trace its origin to a Northrop prototype aircraft, the P-530, c. 1965, which began as a rework of the lightweight Northrop F-5E (with a larger wing, twin tail fins and a distinctive leading edge root extension, or LERX). Later flying as the Northrop YF-17 "Cobra", it competed in the United States Air Force's Lightweight Fighter (LWF) program to produce a smaller and simpler fighter to complement the larger McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle; the YF-17 lost the competition to the YF-16
The Super Hornet is largely a new aircraft at about 20% larger, 7,000 lb (3,200 kg) heavier empty weight, and 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) heavier maximum weight than the original Hornet. The Super Hornet carries 33% more internal fuel, increasing mission range by 41% and endurance by 50% over the "Legacy" Hornet. The empty weight of the Super Hornet is about 11,000 lb (5,000 kg) less than that of the F-14 Tomcat which it replaced, while approaching, but not matching, the F-14's payload and range. Being significantly heavier than the legacy Hornet, the catapult and arresting systems must be set differently. To aid safe flight operations and prevent confusion in radio calls, the Super Hornet is informally referred to as the "Rhino" to distinguish it from earlier Hornets. (The "Rhino" nickname was previously applied to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, which was retired from US Navy combat use in 1987.Ceiling
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The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is an American twin-turboprop light attack and observation aircraft.
After World War II, thousands of surplus PT-17s were auctioned off to civilians and former military pilots. Many were modified for cropdusting use.
Take a tour of the Boeing F/A-18 Block III #SuperHornet. Learn how the F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet’s next-generation technologies