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F/A-18 Hornet
Specifications |
Achievements |
Features |
Background |
Photos
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| F/A-18 Hornet Specifications |
| Primary Function: |
Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft |
| Contractor: |
McDonnell Douglas |
| Crew: |
A,C and E models: One
B,D and F models: Two
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| Unit Cost: |
$29 million |
| Powerplant |
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Two F404-GE-402 enhanced performance turbofan engines (17,700 pounds (8,027 kg) static thrust each) |
| Dimensions |
| Length: |
56 feet (16.8 meters) |
| Wingspan: |
40 feet 5 inches (13.5 meters) |
| Height: |
15 feet 4 inches (4.6 meters) |
| Weights |
| Empty: |
23,050 lb (10455 kg) -- F/A-18C |
| Maximum Takeoff: |
51,900 pounds (23,537 kg) |
| Performance |
| Speed: |
Mach 1.7+ |
| Ceiling: |
50,000+ feet |
| Range: |
Combat: 1.089 nautical miles (1252.4 miles/2003 km), clean plus two AIM-9s
Ferry: 1,546 nautical miles (1,777.9 miles/2844 km), two AIM-9s plus three 330 gallon tanks retained
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| Armament |
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One M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon; AIM 9 Sidewinder, AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon, Harm, SLAM, SLAM-ER,
Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW); Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); various general purpose bombs, mines and rockets. |
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| F/A-18 Hornet Achievements |
- The F/A-18 Hornet broke all records for tactical aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability during Operation Desert Storm
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| F/A-18 Hornet Features |
The F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather aircraft and is used as an attack aircraft, as well as a fighter. While in fighter mode,
the F/A-18 Hornets are used mainly as fighter escorts and fleet air defense. While in attack mode, it is used for force projection,
interdiction and close and deep air support.
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| F/A-18 Hornet Background |
The F/A-18 Hornet is derived from the YF-17 (Northrop) Cobra, which lost the LWF competition for the USAF against the Lockheed F-16 Falcon.
The F/A-18 was designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft and soon took the place of the USN A-7 and the USMC F-4. The first of 11 pre-production aircraft made
the type's maiden flight on November 18, 1978 and production followed of 371 F/A-18A. The F/A-18 introduced a genuine multi-role capability with a well designed cockpit
which has three multi-function CRT type displays and true HOTAS controls enabling the pilot to easily switch from attack to fighter mode. The F/A-18 has remarkable
dogfighting capabilities and excellent high-alpha capability. Summary Copyright © Charles M (JetWhiz)
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Copyright © 2000-2008,
The Global Aircraft Organization
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