Role Multirole fighter
National origin United States
Manufacturer McDonnell Douglas (1974–1997)
with Northrop (1974–1994)
Boeing (1997–2000)
First flight 18 November 1978; 44 years ago
Introduction 7 January 1983 (USMC)
1 July 1984 (USN
Retired 2019 (Hornet, USN)
2021 (RAAF)
Status In service
Primary users United States Navy (historical)
United States Marine Corps
Finnish Air Force
Spanish Air and Space Force
Produced 1974–2000
Number built F/A-18A/B/C/D: 1,480
Developed from Northrop YF-17
Variants McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet
High Alpha Research Vehicle
Developed into Boeing F/A-18E/F
Super Hornet
Boeing X-53 Active Aeroelastic Wing
The F/A-18 is a twin engine, midwing, multimission tactical aircraft. It is highly maneuverable, due to its good thrust-to-weight ratio, digital fly-by-wire control system, and leading-edge extensions, which allow the Hornet to remain controllable at high angles of attack. The trapezoidal wing has a 20-degree sweepback on the leading edge and a straight trailing edge. The wing has full-span, leading-edge flaps and the trailing edge has single-slotted flaps and ailerons over the entire span
The Hornet was among the first aircraft to heavily use multifunction displays, which at the switch of a button allow a pilot to perform either fighter or attack roles or both. This "force multiplier" ability gives the operational commander more flexibility to employ tactical aircraft in a fast-changing battle scenario. It was the first Navy aircraft to incorporate a digital multiplexing avionics bus, enabling easy upgrades.
The Hornet was designed to reduce maintenance, and as a result, has required far less downtime than its heavier counterparts, the F-14 Tomcat and the A-6 Intruder . Its mean time between failures is three times greater than any other Navy strike aircraft, and requires half the maintenance time Its General Electric F404 engines were also innovative in that they were designed with operability, reliability, and maintainability first. The engine, while unexceptional in rated performance, demonstrates exceptional robustness under various conditions and is resistant to stall and flameout. The F404 engine connects to the airframe at only 10 points and can be replaced without special equipment: a four-person team can remove the engine within 20 minutes. The aircraft has a top speed of Mach 1.8 at 40,000 ftCeiling
Combat RANGE
Aircraft Speed
Max Crew
|
|
---|---|
Ready then, ready now, ahead of ready for what’s to come. Transforming 4th Generation for the next generation with the newest and most advanced F-16. Meet the Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon.
On May 2, 2011, while on patrol near the Nuristan province of Afghanistan, U. S. Air Force Maj. John Caldwell peered out from the bubbled canopy of his F-16 and saw nothing but desert.
Lockheed Martin delivered the 4,500th F-16 Fighting Falcon in March 2012. Follow this aircraft's amazing legacy.