F/A-18C Hornet

Description

The McDonnell-Douglas/Boeing F/A-18C was the first aircraft to receive the designation F/A standing for Fighter/Attack. F/A-18D is the dual seat version of the same fighter. Many websites, as well as EA, have incorrectly identified the plane as the F/A-18E Super Hornet. The F/A-18E/F (The F is again the dual seat version) variant has obvious differences when compared to the F/A-18A/C, of which some are given in the table below.

The F/A-18C “Hornet” is a single seat, twin engine, multi-mission fighter/attack aircraft that can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases. The F/A-18 fills a variety of roles: air superiority, fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, forward air control, close and deep air support, and day and night strike missions. The F/A-18 Hornet replaced the F-4 Phantom II fighter and A-7 Corsair II light attack jet, and also replaced the A-6 Intruder as these aircraft were retired during the 1990s.

The newest models, the single seat F/A-18E and two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, carry over the name and design concept of the original F/A-18, but are extensively redesigned, with a new, 30% larger airframe. The Super Hornet has a stretched fuselage and larger wings, leading-edge extensions, and horizontal tails; the GE F414 engines are a more powerful development of the F/A-18’s F404; the avionics suite is upgraded but broadly similar. But more information about these fighters can be found at the external links, since this bird wasn’t included.

Features

	F/A-18C/D	F/A-18E/F
Length overall	56.0 ft	60.3 ft
Wing span over missiles	40.4 ft	44.7 ft
Width, wings folded	27.5 ft	32.6 ft
Height overall	15.3 ft	16.0 ft
Wing aspect ratio	3.52	4.00
Wings, gross	37.16 m²	46.45 m²
Weight empty	10,810 kg
Fighter mission	16,651 kg	29,937 kg
Maximum wing loading (attack mission)	156,80 kg/kN	147.1 kg /kN
Max level speed	> Mach 1.8	> Mach 1.8
Combat ceiling (aprox)	15,240 m	13,865 m
Combat endurance, CAP 150 nm from carrier	1 h 45 min	2h 15 min
Unit cost	$39.5 million	$60 million

F/A-18C/D versus F/A-18E/F

Features of the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet:

90% Common F/A-18C/D Avionics: Avionics and software have a 90 percent commonality with current F/A-18C/Ds. However, the F/A-18E/F cockpit features a touch-sensitive, upfront control display; a larger, liquid crystal multipurpose color display; and a new engine fuel display.
34 in. Fuselage Extension: The fuselage is slightly longer - the result of a 34-inch extension.
Two Additional Multi-Mission Weapons Stations: Super Hornet has two additional weapons stations, bringing the total to 11. For aircraft carrier operations, about three times more payload can be brought back to the ship.
25% Larger Wing: A full 25 percent bigger than its predecessor, Super Hornet has nearly half as many parts.
35% Higher Thrust Engines: Increased engine power comes from the F414-GE-400, an advanced derivative of the Hornet’s current F404 engine family. The F414 produces 35 percent more thrust and improves overall mission performance. Enlarged air inlets provide increased airflow to the engines.
33% Additional Internal Fuel: Structural changes to the airframe increase internal fuel capacity by 3,600 pounds, or about 33 percent. This extends the Hornet’s mission radius by up to 40 percent.