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McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet

May 16, 2023

"F-18" redirects here. For the newer redesigned fighter, see Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. For other uses, see F18.

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather, twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole combat aircraft, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft (hence the F/A designation). Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations, and formerly by the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.

F/A-18 Hornet
A U.S. Navy F/A-18C in flight
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 (1978-11-18)
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[1]
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 was designed to be a highly versatile aircraft due to its avionics, cockpit displays, and excellent aerodynamic characteristics, with the ability to carry a wide variety of weapons. The aircraft can perform fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses, air interdiction, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset, though it has been criticized[by whom?] for its lack of range and payload compared to its earlier contemporaries, such as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat in the fighter and strike fighter role, and the Grumman A-6 Intruder and LTV A-7 Corsair II in the attack role.

The Hornet first saw combat action during the 1986 United States bombing of Libya and subsequently participated in the 1991 Gulf War and 2003 Iraq War. The F/A-18 Hornet served as the baseline for the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, its larger, evolutionary redesign, which supplanted both the older Hornet and the F-14 Tomcat in the U.S. Navy.

Development

Origins

 
YF-16 and YF-17 prototypes being tested by the U.S. Air Force

The U.S. Navy started the Naval Fighter-Attack, Experimental (VFAX) program to procure a multirole aircraft to replace the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, the A-7 Corsair II, and the remaining McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs, and to complement the F-14 Tomcat. Vice Admiral Kent Lee, then head of Naval Air Systems Command, was the lead advocate for the VFAX against strong opposition from many Navy officers, including Vice Admiral William D. Houser, deputy chief of naval operations for air warfare – the highest-ranking naval aviator.[2]

In August 1973, Congress mandated that the Navy pursue a lower-cost alternative to the F-14. Grumman proposed a stripped F-14 designated the F-14X, while McDonnell Douglas proposed a naval variant of the F-15, but both were nearly as expensive as the F-14.[3] That summer, Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger ordered the Navy to evaluate the competitors in the Air Force's Lightweight Fighter (LWF) program, the General Dynamics YF-16 and Northrop YF-17.[4] The Air Force competition specified a day fighter with no strike capability. In May 1974, the House Armed Services Committee redirected $34 million from the VFAX to a new program, the Navy Air Combat Fighter (NACF),[4] intended to make maximum use of the technology developed for the LWF program.[3]

Redesigning the YF-17

Though the YF-16 won the LWF competition, the Navy was skeptical that an aircraft with one engine and narrow landing gear could be easily or economically adapted to carrier service, and refused to adopt an F-16 derivative. On 2 May 1975, the Navy announced its selection of the YF-17.[5] Since the LWF did not share the design requirements of the VFAX, the Navy asked McDonnell Douglas and Northrop to develop a new aircraft from the design and principles of the YF-17. On 1 March 1977, Secretary of the Navy W. Graham Claytor announced that the F-18 would be named "Hornet".[3]

 
The Northrop YF-17 Cobra was developed into the carrier-capable F/A-18.

Northrop had partnered with McDonnell Douglas as a secondary contractor on NACF to capitalize on the latter's experience in building carrier aircraft, including the widely used F-4 Phantom II. On the F-18, the two companies agreed to evenly split component manufacturing, with McDonnell Douglas conducting the final assembly. McDonnell Douglas would build the wings, stabilators, and forward fuselage; while Northrop would build the center and aft fuselage and vertical stabilizers. McDonnell Douglas was the prime contractor for the naval versions, and Northrop would be the prime contractor for the F-18L land-based version which Northrop hoped to sell on the export market.[3][4]

The F-18, initially known as McDonnell Douglas Model 267, was drastically modified from the YF-17. For carrier operations, the airframe, undercarriage, and tailhook were strengthened, folding wings and catapult attachments were added, and the landing gear was widened.[6] To meet Navy range and reserves requirements, McDonnell increased fuel capacity by 4,460 pounds (2,020 kg), by enlarging the dorsal spine and adding a 96-gallon fuel tank to each wing. A "snag" was added to the wing's leading edge and stabilators to prevent an aeroelastic flutter discovered in the F-15 stabilator. The wings and stabilators were enlarged, the aft fuselage widened by 4 inches (102 mm), and the engines canted outward at the front. These changes added 10,000 lb (4,540 kg) to the gross weight, bringing it to 37,000 lb (16,800 kg). The YF-17's control system was replaced with a fully digital fly-by-wire system with quadruple redundancy, the first to be installed in a production fighter.[6]

 
First preproduction F-18A in October 1978

Originally, plans were to acquire a total of 780 aircraft of three variants: the single-seat F-18A fighter and A-18A attack aircraft, differing only in avionics, and the dual-seat TF-18A, which retained full mission capability of the F-18 with a reduced fuel load.[7] Following improvements in avionics and multifunction displays, and a redesign of external stores stations, the A-18A and F-18A were able to be combined into one aircraft.[3] Starting in 1980, the aircraft began to be referred to as the F/A-18A, and the designation was officially announced on 1 April 1984. The TF-18A was redesignated F/A-18B.[3]

Northrop's F-18L

Northrop developed the F-18L as a potential export aircraft. Since it was not strengthened for carrier service, it was expected to be lighter and better performing, and a strong competitor to the F-16 Fighting Falcon then being offered to American allies. The F-18L's normal gross weight was lighter than the F/A-18A by 7,700 pounds (3,490 kg), via lighter landing gear, lack of wing folding mechanism, reduced part thickness in areas, and lower fuel-carrying capacity. Though the aircraft retained a lightened tailhook, the most obvious external difference was removed "snags" on the leading edge of the wings and stabilators. It still retained 71% commonality with the F/A-18 by parts weight, and 90% of the high-value systems, including the avionics, radar, and electronic countermeasure suite, though alternatives were offered. Unlike the F/A-18, the F-18L carried no fuel in its wings and lacked weapons stations on the intakes. It had three underwing pylons on each side, instead.[8]

The F/A-18L version followed to coincide with the U.S. Navy's F/A-18A as a land-based export alternative. This was essentially an F/A-18A lightened by about 2,500 to 3,000 pounds (1,130 to 1,360 kg); weight was reduced by removing the folding wing and associated actuators, implementing a simpler landing gear (single wheel nose gear and cantilever oleo main gear), and changing to a land-based tail hook. The revised F/A-18L included wing fuel tanks and fuselage stations of the F/A-18A. Its weapons capacity would increase from 13,700 to 20,000 pounds (6,210 to 9,070 kg), largely due to the addition of a third underwing pylon and strengthened wingtips (11 stations in total vs 9 stations of the F/A-18A). Compared to the F-18L, the outboard weapons pylons are closer to the wingtip missile rails. Because of the strengthened nonfolding wing, the wingtip missile rails were designed to carry either the AIM-7 Sparrow or Skyflash medium-range air-to-air missiles, in addition to the AIM-9 Sidewinder as found on the F/A-18A. The F/A-18L was strengthened for a 9 g design load factor compared to the F/A-18A's 7.5 g factor.[9]

The partnership between McDonnell Douglas and Northrop soured over competition for foreign sales for the two models. Northrop felt that McDonnell Douglas would put the F/A-18 in direct competition with the F-18L. In October 1979, Northrop filed a series of lawsuits charging that McDonnell was using Northrop technology developed for the F-18L for foreign sales of the F/A-18 in violation of their agreement, and asked for a moratorium on foreign sales of the Hornet. McDonnell Douglas countersued, alleging Northrop illegally used F/A-18 technology in its F-20 Tigershark. A settlement was announced 8 April 1985 for all of the lawsuits.[10][11][12][13] McDonnell Douglas paid Northrop $50 million for "rights to sell the F/A-18 wherever it could".[13] Additionally, the companies agreed on McDonnell Douglas as the prime contractor with Northrop as the principal subcontractor.[10][11][12][13] As principal subcontractor, Northrop will produce the rear section for the F/A-18 (A/B/C/D/E/F), while McDonnell Douglas will produce the rest with final assembly to be performed by McDonnell Douglas.[14] At the time of the settlement, Northrop had ceased work on the F-18L. Most export orders for the F-18L were captured by the F-16 or the F/A-18.[8] The F-20 Tigershark did not enter production, and although the program was not officially terminated until 17 November 1986, it was dead by mid-1985.[15]

Into production

 
U.S. Navy F/A-18C during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002

During flight testing, the snag on the leading edge of the stabilators was filled in, and the gap between the leading-edge extensions (LEX) and the fuselage was mostly filled in. The gaps, called the boundary layer air discharge slots, controlled the vortices generated by the LEX and presented clean air to the vertical stabilizers at high angles of attack, but they also generated a great deal of parasitic drag, worsening the problem of the F/A-18's inadequate range. McDonnell filled in 80% of the gap, leaving a small slot to bleed air from the engine intake. This may have contributed to early problems with fatigue cracks appearing on the vertical stabilizers due to extreme structural loads, resulting in a short grounding in 1984 until the stabilizers were strengthened. Starting in May 1988, a small vertical fence was added to the top of each LEX to broaden the vortices and direct them away from the vertical stabilizers. This also provided a minor increase in controllability as a side effect.[16] F/A-18s of early versions had a problem with insufficient rate of roll, exacerbated by the insufficient wing stiffness, especially with heavy underwing ordnance loads. The first production F/A-18A flew on 12 April 1980. After a production run of 380 F/A-18As[17] (including the nine assigned to flight systems development), manufacture shifted to the F/A-18C in September 1987.[7]

Improvements and design changes

In the 1990s, the U.S. Navy faced the need to replace its aging A-6 Intruders and A-7 Corsair IIs with no replacement in development.[18] To answer this deficiency, the Navy commissioned development of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Despite its designation, it is not just an upgrade of the F/A-18 Hornet, but rather, a new, larger airframe using the design concepts of the Hornet. Hornets and Super Hornets will serve complementary roles in the U.S. Navy carrier fleet until the Hornet A-D models are completely replaced by the F-35C Lightning II. The Marines have chosen to extend the use of certain F/A-18s up to 10,000 flight hours, due to delays in the F-35B variant.[19]

Design

 
F/A-18C Hornet performing a high-g pull-up. The high angle of attack causes powerful vortices to form at the leading edge extensions.

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.[20]

Canted vertical stabilizers are another distinguishing design element, one among several other such elements that enable the Hornet's excellent high angle of attack ability, including oversized horizontal stabilators, oversized trailing-edge flaps that operate as flaperons, large full-length leading-edge slats, and flight control computer programming that multiplies the movement of each control surface at low speeds and moves the vertical rudders inboard instead of simply left and right. The Hornet's normally high angle of attack performance envelope was put to rigorous testing and enhanced in the NASA F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV). NASA used the F-18 HARV to demonstrate flight handling characteristics at high angle-of-attack (alpha) of 65–70 degrees using thrust vectoring vanes.[21] F/A-18 stabilators were also used as canards on NASA's F-15S/MTD.

 
F/A-18C Hornet in transonic flight producing flow-induced vapor cone

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.[7]

 
Exhaust nozzles of an RAAF F/A-18

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.[7] 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.[22] 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 ft.[23]

The engine air inlets of the Hornet, like that of the F-16, are of a simpler "fixed" design, while those of the F-4, F-14, and F-15 have variable geometry or variable intake ramp air inlets.

A 1989 USMC study found that single-seat fighters were well suited to air-to-air combat missions, while dual-seat fighters were favored for complex strike missions against heavy air and ground defenses in adverse weather—the question being not so much as to whether a second pair of eyes would be useful, but as to having the second crewman sit in the same fighter or in a second fighter. Single-seat fighters that lacked wingmen were shown to be especially vulnerable.[citation needed]

Operational history

United States

Entry into service

 
An F/A-18A Hornet from VFA-132 Privateers in flight, circa 1985

McDonnell Douglas rolled out the first F/A-18A on 13 September 1978,[17] in blue-on-white colors marked with "Navy" on the left and "Marines" on the right. Its first flight was on 18 November.[17] In a break with tradition, the Navy pioneered the "principal site concept"[4] with the F/A-18, where almost all testing was done at Naval Air Station Patuxent River,[7] instead of near the site of manufacture, and using Navy and Marine Corps test pilots instead of civilians early in development. In March 1979, Lt. Cdr. John Padgett became the first Navy pilot to fly the F/A-18.[24]

Following trials and operational testing by VX-4 and VX-5, Hornets began to fill the Fleet Replacement Squadrons VFA-125, VFA-106, and VMFAT-101, where pilots are introduced to the F/A-18. The Hornet entered operational service with Marine Corps squadron VMFA-314 at MCAS El Toro on 7 January 1983,[17] and with Navy squadron VFA-25 on 1 July 1984, replacing F-4s and A-7Es, respectively.[7]

Navy strike-fighter squadrons VFA-25 and VFA-113 (assigned to CVW-14) deployed aboard USS Constellation from February to August 1985, marking the first deployment for the F/A-18.

The initial fleet reports were complimentary, indicating that the Hornet was extraordinarily reliable, a major change from its predecessor, the F-4J.[25] In January 1985, the VFA-131 "Wildcats" and the VFA-132 "Privateers" moved from Naval Air Station Lemoore, California to Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida to become the Atlantic Fleet's first F/A-18 squadrons. VFA-151, VFA-161, VFA-192 and VFA-195 transitioned to the F/A-18A in 1986.[26] With the exception of VFA-161, the rest would move to NAF Atsugi, Japan to join CVW-5 and the USS Midway.[27] Other squadrons that switched to F/A-18 included VFA-146 "Blue Diamonds", and VFA-147 "Argonauts".

 
Blue Angels' No. 6 F/A-18A

The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron switched to the F/A-18 Hornet in 1986,[17][28] replacing the A-4 Skyhawk. The Blue Angels performed in F/A-18A, B, C, and D models at air shows and other special events across the US and worldwide before transitioning to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in late 2020.[29] Blue Angels pilots must have 1,400 hours and an aircraft-carrier certification. The two-seat B and D models were typically used to give rides to VIPs, but also filled in for other aircraft, if such a need arose.[30]

NASA operates several F/A-18 aircraft for research purposes and also as chase aircraft; these F/A-18s are based at the Armstrong Flight Research Center (formerly the Dryden Flight Research Center) in California.[31] NASA received three two-seat F/A-18B aircraft in 2018.[32] On 21 September 2012, two NASA F/A-18s escorted a NASA Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft carrying the Space Shuttle Endeavour over portions of California to Los Angeles International Airport before being delivered to the California Science Center museum in Los Angeles.[33]

Combat operations

The F/A-18 first saw combat action in April 1986, when VFA-131, VFA-132, VMFA-314, and VMFA-323 Hornets from USS Coral Sea flew Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) missions against Libyan air defenses during Operation Prairie Fire and an attack on Benghazi as part of Operation El Dorado Canyon.[34]

During the Gulf War of 1991, the Navy deployed 106 F/A-18A/C Hornets and Marine Corps deployed 84 F/A-18A/C/D Hornets.[35] F/A-18 pilots were credited with two kills during the Gulf War, both MiG-21s.[36] On 17 January, the first day of the war, U.S. Navy pilots Lieutenant Commander Mark I. Fox and, Lieutenant Nick Mongilio were in a flight of four Hornets[37][38] when they were sent from USS Saratoga in the Red Sea to bomb airfield H-3 in southwestern Iraq.[39] While en route, they were warned by an E-2C of approaching "Bandits" or Iraqi MiG-21 aircraft. The Hornets shot down the two MiGs with AIM-7 and AIM-9 missiles in a brief dogfight. It took 40 seconds from when the bandits appeared on the radar of the E-2 until both aircraft were shot down.[38] The F/A-18s, each carrying four 2,000 lb (910 kg) bombs, then resumed their bombing run before returning to Saratoga.[17][40]

 
NF101, an F/A-18A Hornet assigned to VFA-195 Dambusters aboard the USS Midway (CV-41) in the 1991 Gulf War.

The Hornet's survivability was demonstrated when a Hornet took hits in both engines and flew 125 mi (201 km) back to base. It was repaired and flying within a few days. F/A-18s flew 4,551 sorties with 10 Hornets damaged including three losses, one confirmed lost to enemy fire.[41] All three losses were U.S. Navy F/A-18s, with two of their pilots lost. On 17 January 1991, Lieutenant Commander Scott Speicher of VFA-81 was shot down and killed in the crash of his aircraft.[42] An unclassified summary of a 2001 CIA report suggests that Speicher's aircraft was shot down by a missile fired from an Iraqi Air Force aircraft,[43][44] most likely a MiG-25.[45]

On 24 January 1991, F/A-18A bureau number 163121, from USS Theodore Roosevelt, piloted by Lt H.E. Overs, was lost due to an engine failure or loss of control over the Persian Gulf. The pilot ejected and was recovered by USS Wisconsin.[46] On 5 February 1991, F/A-18A bureau number 163096, piloted by Lieutenant Robert Dwyer was lost over the North Persian Gulf after a successful mission to Iraq; he was officially listed as killed in action, body not recovered.

As the A-6 Intruder was retired in the 1990s, its role was filled by the F/A-18. The F/A-18 demonstrated its versatility and reliability during Operation Desert Storm, shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently bombing enemy targets with the same aircraft on the same mission. It broke records for tactical aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability.

 
F/A-18C of VFA-192 taking off from USS Kitty Hawk in 2005

Both U.S. Navy F/A-18A/C models and Marine F/A-18A/C/D models were used continuously in Operation Southern Watch and over Bosnia and Kosovo in the 1990s. U.S. Navy Hornets flew during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 from carriers operating in the North Arabian Sea. Both the F/A-18A/C and newer F/A-18E/F variants were used during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, operating from aircraft carriers as well from an air base in Kuwait. Later in the conflict USMC A+, C, and primarily D models operated from bases within Iraq.

An F/A-18C was accidentally downed in a friendly fire incident by a Patriot missile when a pilot tried to evade two missiles fired at his plane and crashed.[47] Two others collided over Iraq in May 2005.

As of 2017, the USMC plans to use the F/A-18 until the early 2030s.[48]

The last operational deployment of the F/A-18C Hornet in U.S. Navy service was aboard the USS Carl Vinson and ended on 12 March 2018.[49] The aircraft briefly went back to sea for routine carrier qualifications in October, but it was retired from active Navy service on 1 February 2019. The type continued to be used by reserve units, primarily for adversary training.[50] The actual final Navy F/A-18C operational flight occurred on 2 October 2019.[51]

Non-U.S. service

The F/A-18 has been purchased and is in operation with several foreign air services. Export Hornets are typically similar to U.S. models of a similar manufacture date. Since none of the customers operate aircraft carriers, all export models have been sold without the automatic carrier landing system, and the Royal Australian Air Force further removed the catapult attachment on the nose gear.[25] Except for Canada, all export customers purchased their Hornets through the U.S. Navy, via the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, where the Navy acts as the purchasing manager, but incurs no financial gain or loss. Canada is the largest Hornet operator outside of the U.S.

Australia

Main article: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet in Australian service
 
Three RAAF F/A-18As in 2013

The Royal Australian Air Force purchased 57 F/A-18A fighters and 18 F/A-18B two-seat trainers to replace its Dassault Mirage IIIOs.[52][53] Numerous options were considered for the replacement, notably the F-15A Eagle, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the then new F/A-18 Hornet.[54] The F-15 was discounted because the version offered had no ground-attack capability. The F-16 was considered unsuitable largely due to having only one engine.[55] Australia selected the F/A-18 in October 1981.[53] Original differences between the Australian and U.S. Navy's standard F/A-18 were the removed nose-wheel tie bar for catapult launch (later re-fitted with a dummy version to remove nose wheel shimmy), addition of a high frequency radio, an Australian fatigue data analysis system, an improved video and voice recorder, and the use of instrument landing system/VHF omnidirectional range instead of the carrier landing system.[55]

The first two aircraft were produced in the US, with the remainder assembled in Australia at Government Aircraft Factories. F/A-18 deliveries to the RAAF began on 29 October 1984, and continued until May 1990.[56] In 2001, Australia deployed four aircraft to Diego Garcia, in an air-defense role, during coalition operations against the Taliban in Afghanistan. In 2003, 75 Squadron deployed 14 F/A-18s to Qatar as part of Operation Falconer and these aircraft saw action during the invasion of Iraq.[57] Australia had 71 Hornets in service in 2006, after four were lost to crashes.[52]

The fleet was upgraded beginning in the late 1990s to extend their service lives to 2015.[58] They were expected to be retired then and replaced by the F-35 Lightning II.[59][60] Several of the Australian Hornets have had refits applied to extend their service lives until the planned retirement date of 2020.[61] Australia has also purchased 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets, with deliveries beginning in 2010.[62]

In March 2015, six F/A-18As from No. 75 Squadron were deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Okra, replacing a detachment of Super Hornets.[63]

Australia has sold 25 F/A-18A/Bs to Canada with first two delivered to RCAF in February 2019.[64] By 2021, 12 (A)F/A-18A and 6 (A)F/A-18B (and an additional 7 disassembled (A)F/A-18 for spare parts) were sold to the RCAF.[65]

At Wings Over Illawarra 2021, the Hornet performed its last public flying display before retirement. Australia formally retired the Hornet at RAAF Base Williamtown on 29 November 2021. On 30 November 2021, No. 75 Squadron RAAF flew 7 of the last Hornets from RAAF Base Tindal to RAAF Base Williamtown. On 3 December 2021, the last Hornet left RAAF Base Tindal for decommissioning. Due to inclement weather, the Hornet diverted to RAAF Base Townsville and concluded the final RAAF Hornet flight to RAAF Base Williamtown on 4 December 2021.[citation needed]

Canada

Main article: McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet
 
Canadian CF-188A Hornet off Hawaii. Note the "false cockpit" on the underside of the aircraft for confusing enemy pilots during dogfights.

Canada was the first export customer for the Hornet, replacing the Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (air reconnaissance and strike), the McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo (air interception) and the Canadair CF-116 Freedom Fighter (ground attack). The Canadian Forces Air Command ordered 98 A models (Canadian designation CF-188A/CF-18A) and 40 B models (designation CF-188B/CF-18B). The original CF-18 as delivered was nearly identical to the F/A-18A and B models.[66][67] Many features that made the F/A-18 suitable for naval carrier operations were retained by the Canadian Forces, such as the robust landing gear, the arrestor hook, and wing folding mechanisms.[68]

In 1991, Canada committed 26 CF-18s to the Gulf War, based in Qatar. These aircraft primarily provided Combat Air Patrol duties, although, late in the air war, began to perform air strikes on Iraqi ground targets. On 30 January 1991, two CF-18s on CAP detected and attacked an Iraqi TNC-45 patrol boat. The vessel was repeatedly strafed and damaged by 20mm cannon fire, but an attempt to sink the ship with an air-to-air missile failed. The ship was subsequently sunk by American aircraft, but the Canadian CF-18s received partial credit for its destruction.[69]

In June 1999, 18 CF-18s were deployed to Aviano AB, Italy, where they participated in both the air-to-ground and air-to-air roles in the former Yugoslavia.

62 CF-18A and 18 CF-18B aircraft took part in the Incremental Modernization Project which was completed in two phases. The program was launched in 2001 and the last updated aircraft was delivered in March 2010. The aims were to improve air-to-air and air-to-ground combat abilities, upgrade sensors and the defensive suite, and replace the datalinks and communications systems on board the CF-18 from the F/A-18A and F/A-18B standard to the current F/A-18C and F/A-18D standard.[66][70]

In July 2010 the Canadian government announced plans to replace the remaining CF-18 fleet with 65 F-35 Lightning IIs, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2016.[71] In November 2016, Canada announced plans to buy 18 Super Hornets as an interim solution while reviewing its F-35 order.[72] The plan for Super Hornets was later, in October 2017, put on hold due to a trade conflict with the United States over the Bombardier C-Series. Instead, Canada was seeking to purchase surplus Hornets from Australia or Kuwait.[73][74][75] Canada has since acquired 25 ex-Australian F/A-18A/Bs, the first two of which were delivered in February 2019.[76] 18 of these airframes will be introduced into active service with the remaining 7 to be used for spare parts and testing.[77]

Finland

The Finnish Air Force ordered 64 F-18C/Ds (57 C models, seven D models) in 1992. All F-18D were built at St. Louis, and then all F-18C were assembled in Finland. Delivery of the aircraft started in November 1995 and ended in August 2000.[78] The Hornet replaced the MiG-21bis and Saab 35 Draken in Finnish service. The Finnish Hornets were initially to be used only for air defense, hence the F-18 designation. The F-18C includes the ASPJ (Airborne Self-Protection Jammer) jamming pod ALQ-165.[79] The U.S. Navy later included the ALQ-165 on their F/A-18E/F Super Hornet procurement.

One Hornet was destroyed in a mid-air collision in 2001. A damaged F-18C, nicknamed "Frankenhornet", was rebuilt into a F-18D using the forward section of a Canadian CF-18B that was purchased.[80][81] The modified fighter crashed during a test flight in January 2010,[81][82] due to a faulty tailplane servo cylinder.[83]

The Finnish Air Force's Hornet fleet went through a two-stage Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) program. From 2006 to 2010, the MLU 1 stage was aimed at improving the aircraft's air-to-air capabilities. It included the integration of the new AIM-9X Sidewinder missile together with the JHMCS helmet-mounted sight, new radios, a new IFF interrogator, and a new moving map display. Then, from 2012 to 2016, the MLU 2 stage was mainly focused at enabling the aircraft to use standoff air-to-ground weapons, including the JDAM, JSOW and JASSM. The Hornets also received the Litening targeting pod. New chaff/flare dispensers were installed. The cockpit was modernized, and Link 16 was added. The upgrade also includes the procurement and integration of a new version of the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile. In total, 62 aircraft (the whole Finnish Hornet fleet as of 2016) were modernized to MLU 2 standards.[84]

With a service life of 30 years, the Hornets are to remain in active service until 2025–2030.[85] In October 2014, the Finnish national broadcaster Yle announced that consideration was being given to the replacement of the Hornet.[86] In 2015, Finland started the HX Fighter Program that aims to acquire new multirole fighters to replace the current Hornet fleet.[87] On 10 December 2021, the Finnish government announced the selection of Lockheed Martin's fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II for its HX Fighter Program.[88]

Kuwait

 
An F/A-18 of the Kuwaiti Air Force

The Kuwait Air Force (Al Quwwat Aj Jawwaiya Al Kuwaitiya) ordered 32 F/A-18C and eight F/A-18D Hornets in 1988. Delivery started in October 1991 until August 1993.[89][90] The F/A-18C/Ds replaced A-4KU Skyhawk. Kuwait Air Force Hornets have flown missions over Iraq during Operation Southern Watch in the 1990s. They have also participated in military exercises with the air forces of other Gulf nations.[91] Kuwait had 39 F/A-18C/D Hornets in service in 2008.[92] Kuwait also participated in the Yemeni Civil War (2015–present). In February 2017, the Commander of the Kuwait Air Force revealed that the F/A-18s based at King Khalid Air Base had performed approximately 3,000 sorties over Yemen.[93][94]

Malaysia

 
RMAF F/A-18D returning to base after a national day flypast

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia) has eight F/A-18Ds.[95] Delivery of the aircraft spanned from March 1997 to August 1997.[78]

Three Hornets together with five UK-made BAE Hawk 208 were deployed in a bombing airstrike on the "Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo" terrorists on 5 March 2013, just before the joint forces of the Malaysian Army and Royal Malaysia Police commandos launched an all-out assault during Operation Daulat.[96] The Hornets were tasked with close air support to the no-fly zone in Lahad Datu, Sabah.[97]

Spain

 
EF-18 A taking off and banking to the left on 2015

The Spanish Air and Space Force (Ejército del Aire y del Espacio) ordered 60 EF-18A model and 12 EF-18B model Hornets (the "E" standing for "España", Spain), named respectively as C.15 and CE.15 by Spain.[98] The Spanish version was delivered from 22 November 1985 to July 1990.[17][99] These fighters were upgraded to F-18A+/B+ standard, close to F/A-18C/D (plus version includes later mission and armament computers, databuses, data-storage set, new wiring, pylon modifications and software, new abilities as AN/AAS-38B NITE Hawk targeting FLIR pods).

In 1995 Spain obtained 24 ex-USN F/A-18A Hornets, with six more on option. These were delivered from December 1995 until December 1998.[100] Before delivery, they were modified to EF-18A+ standard.[101] This was the first sale of USN surplus Hornets.

Spanish Hornets operate as an all-weather interceptor 60% of the time and as an all-weather day/night attack aircraft for the remainder. In case of war, each of the front-line squadrons would take a primary role: 121 is tasked with tactical air support and maritime operations; 151 and 122 are assigned to all-weather interception and air combat roles; and 152 is assigned the SEAD mission. Air refueling is provided by KC-130Hs and Boeing 707TTs. Pilot conversion to EF-18 is centralized in 153 Squadron (Ala 15). Squadron 462's role is air defense of the Canary Islands, being responsible for fighter and attack missions from Gando AB.

Spanish Air Force EF-18 Hornets have flown Ground Attack, SEAD, combat air patrol (CAP) combat missions in Bosnia and Kosovo, under NATO command, in Aviano detachment (Italy). They shared the base with Canadian and USMC F/A-18s. Six Spanish Hornets had been lost in accidents by 2003.[98]

Over Yugoslavia, eight EF-18s, based at Aviano AB, participated in bombing raids in Operation Allied Force in 1999, being among the first planes to strike Yugoslav targets. Over Bosnia, they also performed missions for air-to-air combat air patrol, close air support air-to-ground, photo reconnaissance, forward air controller-airborne, and tactical air controller-airborne. Over Libya, four Spanish Hornets participated in enforcing a no-fly zone.[102]

Switzerland

The Swiss Air Force purchased 26 C models and eight D models.[98] Aircraft were delivered from January 1996 to December 1999.[103][17] Three D models and one C model[104] had been lost in crashes as of 2016.[105][106] On 14 October 2015, an F/A-18D crashed in France during training with two Swiss Air Force Northrop F-5s in the Swiss/French training area EURAC25; the pilot ejected safely.[107]

In late 2007, Switzerland requested to be included in the F/A-18C/D Upgrade 25 Program, to extend the useful life of its F/A-18C/Ds. The program includes significant upgrades to the avionics and mission computer, 12 ATFLIR surveillance and targeting pods, and 44 sets of AN/ALR-67v3 ECM equipment. In October 2008, the Swiss Hornet fleet reached the 50,000 flight hour milestone.[108]

 
Swiss Air Force Hornet F/A-18C at RIAT 2019

The Swiss Air Force has also taken delivery of two F/A-18C full-scale mock-ups for use as ground crew interactive training simulators. Locally built by Hugo Wolf AG, they are externally accurate copies and have been registered as Boeing F/A-18C (Hugo Wolf) aircraft with tail numbers X-5098 and X-5099.[109] These include a complex equipment fit, including many original cockpit components and instruments, allowing the simulation of fires, fuel leaks, nosewheel collapse and other emergency scenarios. X-5098 is permanently stationed at Payerne Air Base while X-5099, the first one built, is moved between air bases according to training demands.[110][111]

Air USA

Air USA, a provider of training services to various U.S. government agencies, has signed a deal to acquire Australia's remaining F/A-18A/B Hornets, after 25 of these were sold to Canada. Air USA is slated to receive 46 Hornets, with 36 in flyable condition and is planning to restore the remaining 10 to airworthiness as well. The Hornets will be used as testers and aggressor jets to train pilots.[112][113]

Potential operators

The F/A-18C and F/A-18D were considered by the French Navy (Marine Nationale) during the 1980s for deployment on their aircraft carriers Clemenceau and Foch[114] and again in the 1990s for the later nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle,[115] in the event that the Dassault Rafale M was not brought into service when originally planned.

Austria,[116] Chile,[25] Czech Republic,[116] Hungary,[116] Philippines,[116] Poland,[116] Singapore[25] and Turkey[citation needed] evaluated the Hornet but did not purchase it. Thailand ordered four C and four D model Hornets but the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s resulted in the order being canceled. The Hornets were completed as F/A-18Ds for the U.S. Marine Corps.[25]

The F/A-18A and F-18L land-based version competed for a fighter contract from Greece in the 1980s.[117] The Greek government chose F-16 and Mirage 2000 instead.

Variants

F/A-18A/B Hornet

 
An F/A-18B Hornet assigned to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School

The F/A-18A, single-seat variant, can employ the AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-65E Maverick,[118][119] AGM-88 HARM and the AGM-62 Walleye I/II.[120][121] The F/A-18A was also equipped with the AN/AAS-38 Nite Hawk targeting pod and the AN/ASQ-173 laser spot tracker for targeting.[122] During the Gulf War, there were limited numbers of the Nite hawk for USN and USMC Hornets.[123] The F/A-18B has space for the two-seat cockpit, provided by a relocation of avionics equipment and a 6% reduction in internal fuel. Two-seat Hornets are otherwise fully combat-capable. The B-model is used primarily for training.

In 1992, the original Hughes AN/APG-65 radar was replaced with the Hughes (now Raytheon) AN/APG-73, a faster and more capable radar. A-model Hornets that have been upgraded to the AN/APG-73 and are capable of carrying the AIM-120 AMRAAM are designated F/A-18A+.

F/A-18C/D Hornet

 
A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C of VMFA-323, launches off the flight deck of the USS Nimitz.

The F/A-18C is the single-seat variant and the F/A-18D is the two-seat variant. The D-model can be configured for training or as an all-weather strike craft. The "missionized" D model's rear seat is configured for a Marine Corps Naval Flight Officer who functions as a Weapons and Sensors Officer to assist in operating the weapons systems. The F/A-18D is primarily operated by the U.S. Marine Corps in the night attack and Forward Air Controller (Airborne) (FAC(A)) roles.[124]

The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987[17] incorporating upgraded radar, avionics, and the capacity to carry new missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile[7] and later on the AGM-84E SLAM as well as the IR version of the AGM-65 (AGM-65F).[125][122] Other upgrades include the Martin-Baker NACES (Navy Aircrew Common ejection seat), and a self-protection jammer. A synthetic aperture ground mapping radar enables the pilot to locate targets in poor visibility conditions. C and D models delivered since 1989 also have improved night attack abilities, consisting of the Hughes AN/AAR-50 thermal navigation pod, AN/AAS-38A NITE Hawk FLIR (forward looking infrared array) targeting pod, night vision goggles, and two full-color (formerly monochrome) multi-function display (MFDs) and a color moving map.[7]

 
Marines perform maintenance on an F/A-18D of VMFA-242

Sixty D-model Hornets are configured as the night attack F/A-18D (RC) with ability for reconnaissance.[124] These could be outfitted with the ATARS electro-optical sensor package that includes a sensor pod and equipment mounted in the place of the M61 cannon.[126]

Beginning in 1992, the F404-GE-402 enhanced performance engine, providing approximately 10% more maximum static thrust became the standard Hornet engine.[127] Since 1993, the AAS-38A NITE Hawk added a designator/ranger laser, allowing it to self-mark targets. The later AAS-38B added the ability to strike targets designated by lasers from other aircraft.[128]

Production of the C- and D- models ended in 2000. The last F/A-18C was assembled in Finland and delivered to the Finnish Air Force in August 2000.[78] The last F/A-18D was delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps in August 2000.[103]

The U.S. Navy retired its F/A-18C/D in February 2019.[129] However, USMC still retains theirs, and is in the process of upgrading their radar to APG-79(V)4 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system.

E/F Super Hornet

Main article: Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
 
A VFA-11 F/A-18F Super Hornet performing evasive maneuvers during an air power demonstration above USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)

The single-seat F/A-18E and two-seat F/A-18F, both officially named Super Hornet, carry over the name and design concept of the original F/A-18 but have been extensively redesigned by McDonnell Douglas. The Super Hornet has a new, 25% larger airframe, larger rectangular air intakes, more powerful GE F414 engines based on F/A-18's F404, and an upgraded avionics suite. Like the Marine Corps' F/A-18D, the Navy's F/A-18F carries a naval flight officer as a second crew member in a weapon systems officer (WSO) role. The Super Hornet is unofficially known as "Rhino" in operational use. This name was chosen to distinguish the newer variants from the legacy F-18A/B/C/D Hornet and avoid confusion during carrier deck operations.[130][131][132] The Super Hornet is also operated by Australia.

G Growler

Main article: Boeing EA-18G Growler

The EA-18G Growler is an electronic warfare version of the two-seat F/A-18F, which entered production in 2007. The Growler has replaced the Navy's EA-6B Prowler and carries a Naval Flight Officer as a second crewman in an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) role.

US variants list

F/A-18A
Original single-seat version, can carry the AGM-84 ASM, AGM-62 Walleye, AGM-88 HARM and the TV guided versions AGM-65 Maverick.[122]
F/A-18B
Two-seat version of the F/A-18A, combat capable but mainly used for training.[7]
F/A-18C
Improved version of the F/A-18A, can carry the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AGM-84E SLAM and the IR guided versions AGM-65 Maverick.[122][125][7]
F/A-18D
Two-seat version of the F/A-18C, used only by USMC.[7]
F-18(R)
This was a proposed reconnaissance version of the F/A-18A. It included a sensor package that replaced the 20 mm cannon. The first of two prototypes flew in August 1984. Small numbers were produced.[126]
RF-18D
Proposed two-seat reconnaissance version for the U.S. Marine Corps in the mid-1980s. It was to carry a radar reconnaissance pod. The system was canceled after it was unfunded in 1988. This ability was later realized on the F/A-18D(RC).[126]
TF-18A
Two-seat training version of the F/A-18A fighter, later redesignated F/A-18B.[3]
 
X-53, NASA's modified F/A-18
F-18 HARV
Single-seat High Alpha Research Vehicle for NASA.[133] High angles of attack using thrust vectoring, modifications to the flight controls, and forebody strakes
X-53 Active Aeroelastic Wing
A NASA F/A-18 has been modified to demonstrate the Active Aeroelastic Wing technology, and was designated X-53 in December 2006.

Export variants

These designations are not part of 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system.

F-18L
A proposed land-based export version of the single-seat F-18A with air-superiority and attack capabilities. This variant was to be lightened by the removal of carrier landing capability and assembled by Northrop. Customers preferred the standard Hornet and the F-18L never entered mass production.[25]
(A)F/A-18A/B
  • (A)F/A-18A: Single-seat fighter/attack version for the Royal Australian Air Force.
  • (A)F/A-18B: Two-seat training version for the Royal Australian Air Force.
"F/A-18A" was the original company designation, designations of "AF-18A" & "ATF-18A" have also been applied. Assembled in Australia (excluding the first two (A)F/A-18Bs) by Aero-Space Technologies of Australia (ASTA) from 1985 through to 1990, from kits produced by McDonnell Douglas with increasing local content in the later aircraft. Originally the most notable differences between an Australian (A)F/A-18A/B and a US F/A-18A/B were the lack of a catapult attachment, replacing the carrier tailhook with a lighter land arresting hook, and the automatic carrier landing system with an Instrument Landing System. Australian Hornets have been involved in several major upgrade programs. This program called HUG (Hornet Upgrade) has had a few evolutions over the years. The first was to give Australian Hornets F/A-18C model avionics. The second and current upgrade program (HUG 2.2) updates the fleet's avionics even further. By 2021 12 (A)F/A-18A and 6 (A)F/A-18B (and an additional 7 broken down (A)F/A-18 for spare parts) were sold to the Royal Canadian Air Force.[65]
CF-188
  • CF-188A: Single-seat fighter/attack version for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)/Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Unofficially referred to as the CF-18A Hornet.
  • CF-188B: Two-seat training and combat version for the CAF/RCAF. Unofficially referred to as the CF-18B Hornet.
EF-18 Hornet
  • EF-18A: Single-seat fighter/attack version for the Spanish Air and Space Force, the E is for España (Spain in Spanish). The Spanish Air and Space Force designation is C.15, the C being for Caza (fighter aircraft in Spanish, lit. hunt). They were first upgraded to the EF-18A+ version in 1992, this included pylons, computing and electronic systems in the F/A-18C standard. The Spanish Air and Space Force acquired licenses and locally developed many upgrades to the Operating Flying Program (OFP), i.e. the software that controls the aircraft computers. They were the first hornets in the world capable of using the AGM-65 Maverick air to ground missile, and the first air force to use it against naval targets. From 2004 to 2013 they were locally upgraded by EADS CASA and Indra Sistemas in the Mid-life Upgrade (MLU) program, with better avionics, data buses, TPAC, data presentation (bigger color and touch displays similar to the F/A-18E Super Hornet), navigation, communications (radios), software and ECM suit. The AN/APG-65 radar was upgraded to the V3 version and the aircraft also received the AL-400 Radar Warning Receiver and the ASQ-600 emission detector and were certified to operate with Iris-T, Meteor, GBU-48 and Taurus. This also included a thorough structural and engine revision and overhaul, and a new paint job for a few units. This version is locally known as EF-18MLU/C.15M and is considered superior to the US F/A-18C version.
  • EF-18B: Two-seat training version for the Spanish Air and Space Force. The Spanish Air and Space Force designation is CE.15. The E is for Entrenamiento, meaning training in Spanish. They were first upgraded to the EF-18B+ version in 1992.
KAF-18 Hornet
  • KAF-18C: Single-seat fighter/attack version for the Kuwait Air Force[89]
  • KAF-18D: Two-seat training version for the Kuwait Air Force[89]
 
F/A-18C of the Swiss Air Force taxis for takeoff
F-18C/D Hornet
  • The Finnish Air Force uses F/A-18C/D Hornets, with a Finland-specific mid-life update. The first seven Hornets (D models) were produced by McDonnell Douglas.[79] The 57 single-seat F-18C model units were assembled by Patria in Finland.[134] These variants were delivered without air-to-ground capability so the letter A was dropped from the name. They were later upgraded to carry air-to-ground weaponry.
F-18C/D Hornet
  • Switzerland uses F-18C/D,[135] later Swiss specific mid-life update. The Swiss F-18s had no ground attack capability originally, until hardware was retrofitted.

Operators

For operators of F/A-18E and F Super Hornets and its export variants, see Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet § Operators.
 
F/A-18 operators are in blue
NASA video of an F/A-18A aerial refueling operation, documenting behavior of the drogue basket, 2002.
  Canada
  Finland
  Kuwait
  • Kuwait Air Force - 31 F/A-18Cs and 8 F/A-18Ds in service as of November 2008[143] Only 34 (27 F/A-18C & 7 F/A-18D) aircraft remain in use as of 2021.[144]
    • 9th Fighter and Attack Squadron[145]
    • 25th Fighter and Attack Squadron[145]
 
Royal Malaysian Air Force Boeing F/A-18 Hornet during Cope Taufan 2012
  Malaysia
  Spain
  • Spanish Air and Space Force - 85 F/A-18A+/B+ in service.[148] Only 84 (72 EF-18M and F/A-18C & 12 EF-18BM) aircraft remain in use as of 2021.[149]
    • Ala de Caza 15 (15th Fighter Wing) Zaragoza AB, (151, 152 and 153 Squadrons)
    • Ala de Caza 12, Torrejón AB (121 and 122 Squadrons)
    • Ala 46, Gando AB (Canary islands), with Squadron 462 operating 20 ex-U.S. Navy F/A-18As. They have not received any important upgrades, unlike the hornets operating from the Spanish mainland.[150]
  Switzerland

Former operators

  Australia
 
U.S. Navy F/A-18C from VFA-131 launches from French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle off the Virginia Capes.
 
F/A-18A Hornets in various color schemes
 
F/A-18B Hornets in various color schemes
  United States
  • United States Navy[51]
    • VFC-12 1990-2021 (Naval Air Reserve Force)
    • VFA-15 1986–2017 (disestablished)
    • VFA-22 1990–2004 (initially converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet, 2004–2007; subsequently converted to F/A-18F Super Hornet, 2007–present)
    • VFA-25 1984–2013 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-27 1991–2004 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-34 1996–2019 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)[155]
    • VFA-37 1990–2018 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-81 1988–2008 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-82 1987–2005 (disestablished)
    • VFA-83 1988–2018 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-86 1987–2012 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-87 1986–2015 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-94 1990–2016 (converted to F/A-18F Super Hornet)
    • VFA-97 1991–2015 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-105 1990–2006 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-106 1984–2018 (fleet replacement squadron for USN and USMC; operates F/A-18E/F; legacy F/A-18A/A+/B/C/D Hornets phased out in 2018. Converted to F-35C)
    • VFA-113 1984–2016 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-115 1996–2001 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-122 2010-2013 (fleet replacement squadron for F/A-18E/F; legacy F/A-18A/A+/B/C/D Hornets phased out in 2013)
    • VFA-125 1980–2010 (disestablished, former fleet replacement squadron for USN and USMC; aircraft transferred to VFA-122 and legacy F/A-18A/A+/B/C/D Hornets phased out in 2013)
    • VFA-127 1989–1996 (disestablished)
    • VFA-131 1984–2018 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-132 1984–1992 (disestablished)
    • VFA-136 1985–2008 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-137 1985–2003 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-146 1989–2015 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-147 1989–2007 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet, but currently operating the F-35C Lightning II)
    • VFA-151 1986–2013 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-161 1986–1988 (disestablished)
    • VFA-192 1986–2014 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-195 1985–2011 (converted to the F/A-18E Super Hornet)
    • VFA-201 1999–2007 (Naval Air Reserve Force; disestablished)
    • VFA-203 1990–2004 (Naval Air Reserve Force; disestablished)
    • VFA-204 1990-2022 (Naval Air Reserve Force; converted to F-5N/F Tiger II)
    • VFA-303 1990–1994 (Naval Air Reserve Force; disestablished)
    • VFA-305 1990–1994 (Naval Air Reserve Force; disestablished)
    • VX-4 1982-1994 (merged with VX-5 in 1994 to form VX-9)
    • VX-5 1983-1994 (merged with VX-4 in 1994 to form VX-9)
    • VX-9 1994–2020 (legacy hornets phased out in 2020; currently operate F/A-18E/F and E/A-18G aircraft)
    • VX-23
    • VX-31
    • Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center / Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center

Aircraft on display

YF-18A
F/A-18A
 
An F/A-18A Hornet on display at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.
 
F/A-18A on display at the Air Zoo
 
F/A-18A on display at the Texas Air Museum in Slaton, Texas
 
NASA F/A-18A at JetHawks Stadium
F/A-18B
F/A-18C
F/A-18D

Notable accidents

  • On 8 December 2008, an F/A-18D crashed in a populated area of San Diego, while on approach to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, killing four people on the ground.[190] The pilot ejected safely; there was no weapon systems officer (WSO) on board the aircraft.[191]
  • On 6 April 2012, a USN F/A-18D from VFA-106[192] crashed into apartment buildings in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Both crew members ejected.[193] Seven people were injured including the two pilots, who were taken to the hospital; all survived. The crew performed a last-second fuel dump, and thus may have prevented a large explosion and fire after the crash.[194]
  • On 2 June 2016, United States Marine Corps Captain Jeff Kuss fatally crashed due to weather and fatigue, during a training exercise to prepare for the Great Tennessee Air Show.[195] Capt. Kuss's jet (Blue Angels No. 6) crashed about two miles from the runway after an attempted "Split S" maneuver.[196]

Specifications (F/A-18C/D)

 
3-view drawing of the F/A-18 Hornet
 
VX-4 F/A-18 with ten AIM-120 AMRAAMs and two AIM-9 Sidewinders
 
M61 Vulcan on display at Miramar Airshow

Data from U.S. Navy fact file,[197] Frawley Directory,[198] Great Book[199]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 (C)/2 (D - pilot and weapon systems officer)
  • Length: 56 ft 1 in (17.1 m)
  • Wingspan: 40 ft 4 in (12.3 m) with AIM-9 Sidewinders on wingtip LAU-7 launchers
  • Width: 27 ft 7 in (8.4 m) wing folded
  • Height: 15 ft 5 in (4.7 m)
  • Wing area: 410 sq ft (38 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 4
  • Airfoil: root:NACA 65A005 mod.; tip:NACA 65A003.5 mod.
  • Empty weight: 23,000 lb (10,433 kg)
  • Gross weight: 36,970 lb (16,769 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 51,900 lb (23,541 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 10,860 pounds (4,930 kg) internally
  • Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F404-GE-402 afterburning turbofan engines, 11,000 lbf (49 kN) thrust each dry, 17,750 lbf (79.0 kN) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,034 kn (1,190 mph, 1,915 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 1.8
  • Cruise speed: 570 kn (660 mph, 1,060 km/h)
  • Range: 1,089 nmi (1,253 mi, 2,017 km)
  • Combat range: 400 nmi (460 mi, 740 km) air-air mission
  • Ferry range: 1,800 nmi (2,100 mi, 3,300 km)
  • Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 50,000 ft/min (250 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 93 lb/sq ft (450 kg/m2)
  • Thrust/weight: 0.96 (1.13 with loaded weight at 50% internal fuel)

Armament

Avionics

  • Hughes APG-73 radar
  • ALR-67 radar warning receiver
  • ROVER (Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver) antenna for use by U.S. Navy's F/A-18C strike fighter squadrons

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Citations

  1. ^ Jenkins 2000, pp. 186–87.
  2. ^ Kelly, Orr. Hornet: the Inside Story of the F/A-18. Novato, California: Presidio Press, 1990. ISBN 978-0-89141-344-8.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Jenkins 2000, pp. 19–21.
  4. ^ a b c d "F/A-18 Hornet and F/A-18 Super Hornet." 17 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine U.S. Navy. Retrieved: 4 July 2008.
  5. ^ Donald, David ed. "Boeing F/A-18 Hornet". Warplanes of the Fleet. London: AIRtime, 2004. ISBN 978-1-880588-81-9.
  6. ^ a b Jenkins 2000, pp. 22–26.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "F/A-18 Hornet." 8 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved: 4 July 2008.
  8. ^ a b Jenkins 2000, pp. 26–29.
  9. ^ Northrop F/A-18L design brochure 1978.
  10. ^ a b DAY, KATHLEEN (9 April 1985). "McDonnell Settles Suit by Northrop for $50 Million". Articles.latimes.com. from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  11. ^ a b "McDonnell, Northrop Suit The McDonnell Douglas Corporation and the Northrop Corporation yesterday announced". The New York Times. 9 April 1985. from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  12. ^ a b "McDonnell Douglas, Northrop Settle Jet Feud". Washingtonpost.com. 9 April 1985. from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  13. ^ a b c Kelly, Orr (2014). Hornet: The Inside Story of the F/A-18. Open Road Media. p. 113. ISBN 978-1-4976-4567-7.
  14. ^ "F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet". Northrop Grumman. from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  15. ^ "Northrop F-5G/F-20A Tigershark". Joebaugher.com. from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  16. ^ Jenkins 2000, p. 35.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i "F/A-18 Hornet Milestones." Boeing. Retrieved: 17 March 2007. 21 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ Donald 2004, p. 45.
  19. ^ Munoz, Carlo. "Navy, Marines Eye JSF Dough to Keep F-18s Flying." 7 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine AOL Defense, 29 September 2011.
  20. ^ Jenkins 2000, pp. 131, 139.
  21. ^ "F-18 High Alpha Research Vehicle (HARV) fact sheet." 21 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine NASA/Dryden Flight Research Center. Retrieved: 1 November 2009.
  22. ^ Jenkins 2000, pp. 24, 144.
  23. ^ Spick 2000, p. 278.
  24. ^ Jenkins 2000, p. 29.
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Sources

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  • Holmes, Tony. "RAAF Hornets at War". Australian Aviation. Canberra: Phantom Media, January/February 2006/No. 224. ISSN 0813-0876.
  • Yañez, Roberto and Alex Rodriguez. "Spanish Hornets: Providing a Potent Sting". Air International, Volume 75, Number 2, August 2008, pp. 22–25.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.
  • F/A-18 Hornet U.S. Navy fact file 7 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine and
  • F/A-18A Hornet page and Flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet page on ausairpower.net
  • List of all USN/USMC Hornets by Lot/Bureau Number (BuNo) and their known disposition 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  • RAAF F/A-18A Hornet fact file
  • Swiss Air Force F/A-18C Walkaround

May 16, 2023
mcdonnell, douglas, hornet, redirects, here, newer, redesigned, fighter, boeing, super, hornet, other, uses, weather, twin, engine, carrier, capable, multirole, combat, aircraft, designed, both, fighter, attack, aircraft, hence, designation, designed, mcdonnel. F 18 redirects here For the newer redesigned fighter see Boeing F A 18E F Super Hornet For other uses see F18 The McDonnell Douglas F A 18 Hornet is an all weather twin engine carrier capable multirole combat aircraft designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft hence the F A designation Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop the F A 18 was derived from the latter s YF 17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps The Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations and formerly by the U S Navy s Flight Demonstration Squadron the Blue Angels F A 18 HornetA U S Navy F A 18C in flightRole Multirole fighterNational origin United StatesManufacturer McDonnell Douglas 1974 1997 with Northrop 1974 1994 Boeing 1997 2000 First flight 18 November 1978 44 years ago 1978 11 18 Introduction 7 January 1983 USMC 1 July 1984 USN Retired 2019 Hornet USN 2021 RAAF Status In servicePrimary users United States Navy historical United States Marine Corps Finnish Air ForceSpanish Air and Space ForceProduced 1974 2000Number built F A 18A B C D 1 480 1 Developed from Northrop YF 17Variants McDonnell Douglas CF 18 Hornet High Alpha Research VehicleDeveloped into Boeing F A 18E F Super Hornet Boeing X 53 Active Aeroelastic WingThe F A 18 was designed to be a highly versatile aircraft due to its avionics cockpit displays and excellent aerodynamic characteristics with the ability to carry a wide variety of weapons The aircraft can perform fighter escort fleet air defense suppression of enemy air defenses air interdiction close air support and aerial reconnaissance Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset though it has been criticized by whom for its lack of range and payload compared to its earlier contemporaries such as the Grumman F 14 Tomcat in the fighter and strike fighter role and the Grumman A 6 Intruder and LTV A 7 Corsair II in the attack role The Hornet first saw combat action during the 1986 United States bombing of Libya and subsequently participated in the 1991 Gulf War and 2003 Iraq War The F A 18 Hornet served as the baseline for the Boeing F A 18E F Super Hornet its larger evolutionary redesign which supplanted both the older Hornet and the F 14 Tomcat in the U S Navy Contents 1 Development 1 1 Origins 1 2 Redesigning the YF 17 1 3 Northrop s F 18L 1 4 Into production 1 5 Improvements and design changes 2 Design 3 Operational history 3 1 United States 3 1 1 Entry into service 3 1 2 Combat operations 3 2 Non U S service 3 2 1 Australia 3 2 2 Canada 3 2 3 Finland 3 2 4 Kuwait 3 2 5 Malaysia 3 2 6 Spain 3 2 7 Switzerland 3 2 8 Air USA 3 3 Potential operators 4 Variants 4 1 F A 18A B Hornet 4 2 F A 18C D Hornet 4 3 E F Super Hornet 4 4 G Growler 4 5 US variants list 4 6 Export variants 5 Operators 5 1 Former operators 6 Aircraft on display 7 Notable accidents 8 Specifications F A 18C D 9 See also 10 References 10 1 Citations 10 2 Sources 11 External linksDevelopment EditOrigins Edit YF 16 and YF 17 prototypes being tested by the U S Air Force The U S Navy started the Naval Fighter Attack Experimental VFAX program to procure a multirole aircraft to replace the Douglas A 4 Skyhawk the A 7 Corsair II and the remaining McDonnell Douglas F 4 Phantom IIs and to complement the F 14 Tomcat Vice Admiral Kent Lee then head of Naval Air Systems Command was the lead advocate for the VFAX against strong opposition from many Navy officers including Vice Admiral William D Houser deputy chief of naval operations for air warfare the highest ranking naval aviator 2 In August 1973 Congress mandated that the Navy pursue a lower cost alternative to the F 14 Grumman proposed a stripped F 14 designated the F 14X while McDonnell Douglas proposed a naval variant of the F 15 but both were nearly as expensive as the F 14 3 That summer Secretary of Defense James R Schlesinger ordered the Navy to evaluate the competitors in the Air Force s Lightweight Fighter LWF program the General Dynamics YF 16 and Northrop YF 17 4 The Air Force competition specified a day fighter with no strike capability In May 1974 the House Armed Services Committee redirected 34 million from the VFAX to a new program the Navy Air Combat Fighter NACF 4 intended to make maximum use of the technology developed for the LWF program 3 Redesigning the YF 17 Edit Though the YF 16 won the LWF competition the Navy was skeptical that an aircraft with one engine and narrow landing gear could be easily or economically adapted to carrier service and refused to adopt an F 16 derivative On 2 May 1975 the Navy announced its selection of the YF 17 5 Since the LWF did not share the design requirements of the VFAX the Navy asked McDonnell Douglas and Northrop to develop a new aircraft from the design and principles of the YF 17 On 1 March 1977 Secretary of the Navy W Graham Claytor announced that the F 18 would be named Hornet 3 The Northrop YF 17 Cobra was developed into the carrier capable F A 18 Northrop had partnered with McDonnell Douglas as a secondary contractor on NACF to capitalize on the latter s experience in building carrier aircraft including the widely used F 4 Phantom II On the F 18 the two companies agreed to evenly split component manufacturing with McDonnell Douglas conducting the final assembly McDonnell Douglas would build the wings stabilators and forward fuselage while Northrop would build the center and aft fuselage and vertical stabilizers McDonnell Douglas was the prime contractor for the naval versions and Northrop would be the prime contractor for the F 18L land based version which Northrop hoped to sell on the export market 3 4 The F 18 initially known as McDonnell Douglas Model 267 was drastically modified from the YF 17 For carrier operations the airframe undercarriage and tailhook were strengthened folding wings and catapult attachments were added and the landing gear was widened 6 To meet Navy range and reserves requirements McDonnell increased fuel capacity by 4 460 pounds 2 020 kg by enlarging the dorsal spine and adding a 96 gallon fuel tank to each wing A snag was added to the wing s leading edge and stabilators to prevent an aeroelastic flutter discovered in the F 15 stabilator The wings and stabilators were enlarged the aft fuselage widened by 4 inches 102 mm and the engines canted outward at the front These changes added 10 000 lb 4 540 kg to the gross weight bringing it to 37 000 lb 16 800 kg The YF 17 s control system was replaced with a fully digital fly by wire system with quadruple redundancy the first to be installed in a production fighter 6 First preproduction F 18A in October 1978 Originally plans were to acquire a total of 780 aircraft of three variants the single seat F 18A fighter and A 18A attack aircraft differing only in avionics and the dual seat TF 18A which retained full mission capability of the F 18 with a reduced fuel load 7 Following improvements in avionics and multifunction displays and a redesign of external stores stations the A 18A and F 18A were able to be combined into one aircraft 3 Starting in 1980 the aircraft began to be referred to as the F A 18A and the designation was officially announced on 1 April 1984 The TF 18A was redesignated F A 18B 3 Northrop s F 18L Edit Northrop developed the F 18L as a potential export aircraft Since it was not strengthened for carrier service it was expected to be lighter and better performing and a strong competitor to the F 16 Fighting Falcon then being offered to American allies The F 18L s normal gross weight was lighter than the F A 18A by 7 700 pounds 3 490 kg via lighter landing gear lack of wing folding mechanism reduced part thickness in areas and lower fuel carrying capacity Though the aircraft retained a lightened tailhook the most obvious external difference was removed snags on the leading edge of the wings and stabilators It still retained 71 commonality with the F A 18 by parts weight and 90 of the high value systems including the avionics radar and electronic countermeasure suite though alternatives were offered Unlike the F A 18 the F 18L carried no fuel in its wings and lacked weapons stations on the intakes It had three underwing pylons on each side instead 8 The F A 18L version followed to coincide with the U S Navy s F A 18A as a land based export alternative This was essentially an F A 18A lightened by about 2 500 to 3 000 pounds 1 130 to 1 360 kg weight was reduced by removing the folding wing and associated actuators implementing a simpler landing gear single wheel nose gear and cantilever oleo main gear and changing to a land based tail hook The revised F A 18L included wing fuel tanks and fuselage stations of the F A 18A Its weapons capacity would increase from 13 700 to 20 000 pounds 6 210 to 9 070 kg largely due to the addition of a third underwing pylon and strengthened wingtips 11 stations in total vs 9 stations of the F A 18A Compared to the F 18L the outboard weapons pylons are closer to the wingtip missile rails Because of the strengthened nonfolding wing the wingtip missile rails were designed to carry either the AIM 7 Sparrow or Skyflash medium range air to air missiles in addition to the AIM 9 Sidewinder as found on the F A 18A The F A 18L was strengthened for a 9 g design load factor compared to the F A 18A s 7 5 g factor 9 The partnership between McDonnell Douglas and Northrop soured over competition for foreign sales for the two models Northrop felt that McDonnell Douglas would put the F A 18 in direct competition with the F 18L In October 1979 Northrop filed a series of lawsuits charging that McDonnell was using Northrop technology developed for the F 18L for foreign sales of the F A 18 in violation of their agreement and asked for a moratorium on foreign sales of the Hornet McDonnell Douglas countersued alleging Northrop illegally used F A 18 technology in its F 20 Tigershark A settlement was announced 8 April 1985 for all of the lawsuits 10 11 12 13 McDonnell Douglas paid Northrop 50 million for rights to sell the F A 18 wherever it could 13 Additionally the companies agreed on McDonnell Douglas as the prime contractor with Northrop as the principal subcontractor 10 11 12 13 As principal subcontractor Northrop will produce the rear section for the F A 18 A B C D E F while McDonnell Douglas will produce the rest with final assembly to be performed by McDonnell Douglas 14 At the time of the settlement Northrop had ceased work on the F 18L Most export orders for the F 18L were captured by the F 16 or the F A 18 8 The F 20 Tigershark did not enter production and although the program was not officially terminated until 17 November 1986 it was dead by mid 1985 15 Into production Edit U S Navy F A 18C during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002 During flight testing the snag on the leading edge of the stabilators was filled in and the gap between the leading edge extensions LEX and the fuselage was mostly filled in The gaps called the boundary layer air discharge slots controlled the vortices generated by the LEX and presented clean air to the vertical stabilizers at high angles of attack but they also generated a great deal of parasitic drag worsening the problem of the F A 18 s inadequate range McDonnell filled in 80 of the gap leaving a small slot to bleed air from the engine intake This may have contributed to early problems with fatigue cracks appearing on the vertical stabilizers due to extreme structural loads resulting in a short grounding in 1984 until the stabilizers were strengthened Starting in May 1988 a small vertical fence was added to the top of each LEX to broaden the vortices and direct them away from the vertical stabilizers This also provided a minor increase in controllability as a side effect 16 F A 18s of early versions had a problem with insufficient rate of roll exacerbated by the insufficient wing stiffness especially with heavy underwing ordnance loads The first production F A 18A flew on 12 April 1980 After a production run of 380 F A 18As 17 including the nine assigned to flight systems development manufacture shifted to the F A 18C in September 1987 7 Improvements and design changes Edit In the 1990s the U S Navy faced the need to replace its aging A 6 Intruders and A 7 Corsair IIs with no replacement in development 18 To answer this deficiency the Navy commissioned development of the F A 18E F Super Hornet Despite its designation it is not just an upgrade of the F A 18 Hornet but rather a new larger airframe using the design concepts of the Hornet Hornets and Super Hornets will serve complementary roles in the U S Navy carrier fleet until the Hornet A D models are completely replaced by the F 35C Lightning II The Marines have chosen to extend the use of certain F A 18s up to 10 000 flight hours due to delays in the F 35B variant 19 Design Edit F A 18C Hornet performing a high g pull up The high angle of attack causes powerful vortices to form at the leading edge extensions 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 20 Canted vertical stabilizers are another distinguishing design element one among several other such elements that enable the Hornet s excellent high angle of attack ability including oversized horizontal stabilators oversized trailing edge flaps that operate as flaperons large full length leading edge slats and flight control computer programming that multiplies the movement of each control surface at low speeds and moves the vertical rudders inboard instead of simply left and right The Hornet s normally high angle of attack performance envelope was put to rigorous testing and enhanced in the NASA F 18 High Alpha Research Vehicle HARV NASA used the F 18 HARV to demonstrate flight handling characteristics at high angle of attack alpha of 65 70 degrees using thrust vectoring vanes 21 F A 18 stabilators were also used as canards on NASA s F 15S MTD F A 18C Hornet in transonic flight producing flow induced vapor cone 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 7 Exhaust nozzles of an RAAF F A 18 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 7 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 22 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 ft 23 The engine air inlets of the Hornet like that of the F 16 are of a simpler fixed design while those of the F 4 F 14 and F 15 have variable geometry or variable intake ramp air inlets A 1989 USMC study found that single seat fighters were well suited to air to air combat missions while dual seat fighters were favored for complex strike missions against heavy air and ground defenses in adverse weather the question being not so much as to whether a second pair of eyes would be useful but as to having the second crewman sit in the same fighter or in a second fighter Single seat fighters that lacked wingmen were shown to be especially vulnerable citation needed Operational history EditUnited States Edit Entry into service Edit An F A 18A Hornet from VFA 132 Privateers in flight circa 1985 McDonnell Douglas rolled out the first F A 18A on 13 September 1978 17 in blue on white colors marked with Navy on the left and Marines on the right Its first flight was on 18 November 17 In a break with tradition the Navy pioneered the principal site concept 4 with the F A 18 where almost all testing was done at Naval Air Station Patuxent River 7 instead of near the site of manufacture and using Navy and Marine Corps test pilots instead of civilians early in development In March 1979 Lt Cdr John Padgett became the first Navy pilot to fly the F A 18 24 Following trials and operational testing by VX 4 and VX 5 Hornets began to fill the Fleet Replacement Squadrons VFA 125 VFA 106 and VMFAT 101 where pilots are introduced to the F A 18 The Hornet entered operational service with Marine Corps squadron VMFA 314 at MCAS El Toro on 7 January 1983 17 and with Navy squadron VFA 25 on 1 July 1984 replacing F 4s and A 7Es respectively 7 Navy strike fighter squadrons VFA 25 and VFA 113 assigned to CVW 14 deployed aboard USS Constellation from February to August 1985 marking the first deployment for the F A 18 The initial fleet reports were complimentary indicating that the Hornet was extraordinarily reliable a major change from its predecessor the F 4J 25 In January 1985 the VFA 131 Wildcats and the VFA 132 Privateers moved from Naval Air Station Lemoore California to Naval Air Station Cecil Field Florida to become the Atlantic Fleet s first F A 18 squadrons VFA 151 VFA 161 VFA 192 and VFA 195 transitioned to the F A 18A in 1986 26 With the exception of VFA 161 the rest would move to NAF Atsugi Japan to join CVW 5 and the USS Midway 27 Other squadrons that switched to F A 18 included VFA 146 Blue Diamonds and VFA 147 Argonauts Blue Angels No 6 F A 18A The U S Navy s Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron switched to the F A 18 Hornet in 1986 17 28 replacing the A 4 Skyhawk The Blue Angels performed in F A 18A B C and D models at air shows and other special events across the US and worldwide before transitioning to the F A 18E F Super Hornet in late 2020 29 Blue Angels pilots must have 1 400 hours and an aircraft carrier certification The two seat B and D models were typically used to give rides to VIPs but also filled in for other aircraft if such a need arose 30 NASA operates several F A 18 aircraft for research purposes and also as chase aircraft these F A 18s are based at the Armstrong Flight Research Center formerly the Dryden Flight Research Center in California 31 NASA received three two seat F A 18B aircraft in 2018 32 On 21 September 2012 two NASA F A 18s escorted a NASA Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft carrying the Space Shuttle Endeavour over portions of California to Los Angeles International Airport before being delivered to the California Science Center museum in Los Angeles 33 Combat operations Edit The F A 18 first saw combat action in April 1986 when VFA 131 VFA 132 VMFA 314 and VMFA 323 Hornets from USS Coral Sea flew Suppression of Enemy Air Defense SEAD missions against Libyan air defenses during Operation Prairie Fire and an attack on Benghazi as part of Operation El Dorado Canyon 34 During the Gulf War of 1991 the Navy deployed 106 F A 18A C Hornets and Marine Corps deployed 84 F A 18A C D Hornets 35 F A 18 pilots were credited with two kills during the Gulf War both MiG 21s 36 On 17 January the first day of the war U S Navy pilots Lieutenant Commander Mark I Fox and Lieutenant Nick Mongilio were in a flight of four Hornets 37 38 when they were sent from USS Saratoga in the Red Sea to bomb airfield H 3 in southwestern Iraq 39 While en route they were warned by an E 2C of approaching Bandits or Iraqi MiG 21 aircraft The Hornets shot down the two MiGs with AIM 7 and AIM 9 missiles in a brief dogfight It took 40 seconds from when the bandits appeared on the radar of the E 2 until both aircraft were shot down 38 The F A 18s each carrying four 2 000 lb 910 kg bombs then resumed their bombing run before returning to Saratoga 17 40 NF101 an F A 18A Hornet assigned to VFA 195 Dambusters aboard the USS Midway CV 41 in the 1991 Gulf War The Hornet s survivability was demonstrated when a Hornet took hits in both engines and flew 125 mi 201 km back to base It was repaired and flying within a few days F A 18s flew 4 551 sorties with 10 Hornets damaged including three losses one confirmed lost to enemy fire 41 All three losses were U S Navy F A 18s with two of their pilots lost On 17 January 1991 Lieutenant Commander Scott Speicher of VFA 81 was shot down and killed in the crash of his aircraft 42 An unclassified summary of a 2001 CIA report suggests that Speicher s aircraft was shot down by a missile fired from an Iraqi Air Force aircraft 43 44 most likely a MiG 25 45 On 24 January 1991 F A 18A bureau number 163121 from USS Theodore Roosevelt piloted by Lt H E Overs was lost due to an engine failure or loss of control over the Persian Gulf The pilot ejected and was recovered by USS Wisconsin 46 On 5 February 1991 F A 18A bureau number 163096 piloted by Lieutenant Robert Dwyer was lost over the North Persian Gulf after a successful mission to Iraq he was officially listed as killed in action body not recovered As the A 6 Intruder was retired in the 1990s its role was filled by the F A 18 The F A 18 demonstrated its versatility and reliability during Operation Desert Storm shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently bombing enemy targets with the same aircraft on the same mission It broke records for tactical aircraft in availability reliability and maintainability F A 18C of VFA 192 taking off from USS Kitty Hawk in 2005Both U S Navy F A 18A C models and Marine F A 18A C D models were used continuously in Operation Southern Watch and over Bosnia and Kosovo in the 1990s U S Navy Hornets flew during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 from carriers operating in the North Arabian Sea Both the F A 18A C and newer F A 18E F variants were used during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 operating from aircraft carriers as well from an air base in Kuwait Later in the conflict USMC A C and primarily D models operated from bases within Iraq An F A 18C was accidentally downed in a friendly fire incident by a Patriot missile when a pilot tried to evade two missiles fired at his plane and crashed 47 Two others collided over Iraq in May 2005 As of 2017 the USMC plans to use the F A 18 until the early 2030s 48 The last operational deployment of the F A 18C Hornet in U S Navy service was aboard the USS Carl Vinson and ended on 12 March 2018 49 The aircraft briefly went back to sea for routine carrier qualifications in October but it was retired from active Navy service on 1 February 2019 The type continued to be used by reserve units primarily for adversary training 50 The actual final Navy F A 18C operational flight occurred on 2 October 2019 51 Non U S service Edit The F A 18 has been purchased and is in operation with several foreign air services Export Hornets are typically similar to U S models of a similar manufacture date Since none of the customers operate aircraft carriers all export models have been sold without the automatic carrier landing system and the Royal Australian Air Force further removed the catapult attachment on the nose gear 25 Except for Canada all export customers purchased their Hornets through the U S Navy via the U S Foreign Military Sales program where the Navy acts as the purchasing manager but incurs no financial gain or loss Canada is the largest Hornet operator outside of the U S Australia Edit Main article McDonnell Douglas F A 18 Hornet in Australian service Three RAAF F A 18As in 2013 The Royal Australian Air Force purchased 57 F A 18A fighters and 18 F A 18B two seat trainers to replace its Dassault Mirage IIIOs 52 53 Numerous options were considered for the replacement notably the F 15A Eagle the F 16 Fighting Falcon and the then new F A 18 Hornet 54 The F 15 was discounted because the version offered had no ground attack capability The F 16 was considered unsuitable largely due to having only one engine 55 Australia selected the F A 18 in October 1981 53 Original differences between the Australian and U S Navy s standard F A 18 were the removed nose wheel tie bar for catapult launch later re fitted with a dummy version to remove nose wheel shimmy addition of a high frequency radio an Australian fatigue data analysis system an improved video and voice recorder and the use of instrument landing system VHF omnidirectional range instead of the carrier landing system 55 The first two aircraft were produced in the US with the remainder assembled in Australia at Government Aircraft Factories F A 18 deliveries to the RAAF began on 29 October 1984 and continued until May 1990 56 In 2001 Australia deployed four aircraft to Diego Garcia in an air defense role during coalition operations against the Taliban in Afghanistan In 2003 75 Squadron deployed 14 F A 18s to Qatar as part of Operation Falconer and these aircraft saw action during the invasion of Iraq 57 Australia had 71 Hornets in service in 2006 after four were lost to crashes 52 The fleet was upgraded beginning in the late 1990s to extend their service lives to 2015 58 They were expected to be retired then and replaced by the F 35 Lightning II 59 60 Several of the Australian Hornets have had refits applied to extend their service lives until the planned retirement date of 2020 61 Australia has also purchased 24 F A 18F Super Hornets with deliveries beginning in 2010 62 In March 2015 six F A 18As from No 75 Squadron were deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Okra replacing a detachment of Super Hornets 63 Australia has sold 25 F A 18A Bs to Canada with first two delivered to RCAF in February 2019 64 By 2021 12 A F A 18A and 6 A F A 18B and an additional 7 disassembled A F A 18 for spare parts were sold to the RCAF 65 At Wings Over Illawarra 2021 the Hornet performed its last public flying display before retirement Australia formally retired the Hornet at RAAF Base Williamtown on 29 November 2021 On 30 November 2021 No 75 Squadron RAAF flew 7 of the last Hornets from RAAF Base Tindal to RAAF Base Williamtown On 3 December 2021 the last Hornet left RAAF Base Tindal for decommissioning Due to inclement weather the Hornet diverted to RAAF Base Townsville and concluded the final RAAF Hornet flight to RAAF Base Williamtown on 4 December 2021 citation needed Canada Edit Main article McDonnell Douglas CF 18 Hornet Canadian CF 188A Hornet off Hawaii Note the false cockpit on the underside of the aircraft for confusing enemy pilots during dogfights Canada was the first export customer for the Hornet replacing the Canadair CF 104 Starfighter air reconnaissance and strike the McDonnell CF 101 Voodoo air interception and the Canadair CF 116 Freedom Fighter ground attack The Canadian Forces Air Command ordered 98 A models Canadian designation CF 188A CF 18A and 40 B models designation CF 188B CF 18B The original CF 18 as delivered was nearly identical to the F A 18A and B models 66 67 Many features that made the F A 18 suitable for naval carrier operations were retained by the Canadian Forces such as the robust landing gear the arrestor hook and wing folding mechanisms 68 In 1991 Canada committed 26 CF 18s to the Gulf War based in Qatar These aircraft primarily provided Combat Air Patrol duties although late in the air war began to perform air strikes on Iraqi ground targets On 30 January 1991 two CF 18s on CAP detected and attacked an Iraqi TNC 45 patrol boat The vessel was repeatedly strafed and damaged by 20mm cannon fire but an attempt to sink the ship with an air to air missile failed The ship was subsequently sunk by American aircraft but the Canadian CF 18s received partial credit for its destruction 69 In June 1999 18 CF 18s were deployed to Aviano AB Italy where they participated in both the air to ground and air to air roles in the former Yugoslavia 62 CF 18A and 18 CF 18B aircraft took part in the Incremental Modernization Project which was completed in two phases The program was launched in 2001 and the last updated aircraft was delivered in March 2010 The aims were to improve air to air and air to ground combat abilities upgrade sensors and the defensive suite and replace the datalinks and communications systems on board the CF 18 from the F A 18A and F A 18B standard to the current F A 18C and F A 18D standard 66 70 In July 2010 the Canadian government announced plans to replace the remaining CF 18 fleet with 65 F 35 Lightning IIs with deliveries scheduled to start in 2016 71 In November 2016 Canada announced plans to buy 18 Super Hornets as an interim solution while reviewing its F 35 order 72 The plan for Super Hornets was later in October 2017 put on hold due to a trade conflict with the United States over the Bombardier C Series Instead Canada was seeking to purchase surplus Hornets from Australia or Kuwait 73 74 75 Canada has since acquired 25 ex Australian F A 18A Bs the first two of which were delivered in February 2019 76 18 of these airframes will be introduced into active service with the remaining 7 to be used for spare parts and testing 77 Finland Edit Finnish Air Force F A 18 at Rissala Airport The Finnish Air Force ordered 64 F 18C Ds 57 C models seven D models in 1992 All F 18D were built at St Louis and then all F 18C were assembled in Finland Delivery of the aircraft started in November 1995 and ended in August 2000 78 The Hornet replaced the MiG 21bis and Saab 35 Draken in Finnish service The Finnish Hornets were initially to be used only for air defense hence the F 18 designation The F 18C includes the ASPJ Airborne Self Protection Jammer jamming pod ALQ 165 79 The U S Navy later included the ALQ 165 on their F A 18E F Super Hornet procurement One Hornet was destroyed in a mid air collision in 2001 A damaged F 18C nicknamed Frankenhornet was rebuilt into a F 18D using the forward section of a Canadian CF 18B that was purchased 80 81 The modified fighter crashed during a test flight in January 2010 81 82 due to a faulty tailplane servo cylinder 83 The Finnish Air Force s Hornet fleet went through a two stage Mid Life Upgrade MLU program From 2006 to 2010 the MLU 1 stage was aimed at improving the aircraft s air to air capabilities It included the integration of the new AIM 9X Sidewinder missile together with the JHMCS helmet mounted sight new radios a new IFF interrogator and a new moving map display Then from 2012 to 2016 the MLU 2 stage was mainly focused at enabling the aircraft to use standoff air to ground weapons including the JDAM JSOW and JASSM The Hornets also received the Litening targeting pod New chaff flare dispensers were installed The cockpit was modernized and Link 16 was added The upgrade also includes the procurement and integration of a new version of the AIM 120 AMRAAM air to air missile In total 62 aircraft the whole Finnish Hornet fleet as of 2016 were modernized to MLU 2 standards 84 With a service life of 30 years the Hornets are to remain in active service until 2025 2030 85 In October 2014 the Finnish national broadcaster Yle announced that consideration was being given to the replacement of the Hornet 86 In 2015 Finland started the HX Fighter Program that aims to acquire new multirole fighters to replace the current Hornet fleet 87 On 10 December 2021 the Finnish government announced the selection of Lockheed Martin s fifth generation F 35A Lightning II for its HX Fighter Program 88 Kuwait Edit An F A 18 of the Kuwaiti Air Force The Kuwait Air Force Al Quwwat Aj Jawwaiya Al Kuwaitiya ordered 32 F A 18C and eight F A 18D Hornets in 1988 Delivery started in October 1991 until August 1993 89 90 The F A 18C Ds replaced A 4KU Skyhawk Kuwait Air Force Hornets have flown missions over Iraq during Operation Southern Watch in the 1990s They have also participated in military exercises with the air forces of other Gulf nations 91 Kuwait had 39 F A 18C D Hornets in service in 2008 92 Kuwait also participated in the Yemeni Civil War 2015 present In February 2017 the Commander of the Kuwait Air Force revealed that the F A 18s based at King Khalid Air Base had performed approximately 3 000 sorties over Yemen 93 94 Malaysia Edit RMAF F A 18D returning to base after a national day flypast The Royal Malaysian Air Force Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia has eight F A 18Ds 95 Delivery of the aircraft spanned from March 1997 to August 1997 78 Three Hornets together with five UK made BAE Hawk 208 were deployed in a bombing airstrike on the Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo terrorists on 5 March 2013 just before the joint forces of the Malaysian Army and Royal Malaysia Police commandos launched an all out assault during Operation Daulat 96 The Hornets were tasked with close air support to the no fly zone in Lahad Datu Sabah 97 Spain Edit EF 18 A taking off and banking to the left on 2015 The Spanish Air and Space Force Ejercito del Aire y del Espacio ordered 60 EF 18A model and 12 EF 18B model Hornets the E standing for Espana Spain named respectively as C 15 and CE 15 by Spain 98 The Spanish version was delivered from 22 November 1985 to July 1990 17 99 These fighters were upgraded to F 18A B standard close to F A 18C D plus version includes later mission and armament computers databuses data storage set new wiring pylon modifications and software new abilities as AN AAS 38B NITE Hawk targeting FLIR pods In 1995 Spain obtained 24 ex USN F A 18A Hornets with six more on option These were delivered from December 1995 until December 1998 100 Before delivery they were modified to EF 18A standard 101 This was the first sale of USN surplus Hornets Spanish Hornets operate as an all weather interceptor 60 of the time and as an all weather day night attack aircraft for the remainder In case of war each of the front line squadrons would take a primary role 121 is tasked with tactical air support and maritime operations 151 and 122 are assigned to all weather interception and air combat roles and 152 is assigned the SEAD mission Air refueling is provided by KC 130Hs and Boeing 707TTs Pilot conversion to EF 18 is centralized in 153 Squadron Ala 15 Squadron 462 s role is air defense of the Canary Islands being responsible for fighter and attack missions from Gando AB Spanish Air Force EF 18 Hornets have flown Ground Attack SEAD combat air patrol CAP combat missions in Bosnia and Kosovo under NATO command in Aviano detachment Italy They shared the base with Canadian and USMC F A 18s Six Spanish Hornets had been lost in accidents by 2003 98 Over Yugoslavia eight EF 18s based at Aviano AB participated in bombing raids in Operation Allied Force in 1999 being among the first planes to strike Yugoslav targets Over Bosnia they also performed missions for air to air combat air patrol close air support air to ground photo reconnaissance forward air controller airborne and tactical air controller airborne Over Libya four Spanish Hornets participated in enforcing a no fly zone 102 Switzerland Edit Hugo Wolf F A 18C full scale training simulator X 5099 The Swiss Air Force purchased 26 C models and eight D models 98 Aircraft were delivered from January 1996 to December 1999 103 17 Three D models and one C model 104 had been lost in crashes as of 2016 105 106 On 14 October 2015 an F A 18D crashed in France during training with two Swiss Air Force Northrop F 5s in the Swiss French training area EURAC25 the pilot ejected safely 107 In late 2007 Switzerland requested to be included in the F A 18C D Upgrade 25 Program to extend the useful life of its F A 18C Ds The program includes significant upgrades to the avionics and mission computer 12 ATFLIR surveillance and targeting pods and 44 sets of AN ALR 67v3 ECM equipment In October 2008 the Swiss Hornet fleet reached the 50 000 flight hour milestone 108 Swiss Air Force Hornet F A 18C at RIAT 2019 The Swiss Air Force has also taken delivery of two F A 18C full scale mock ups for use as ground crew interactive training simulators Locally built by Hugo Wolf AG they are externally accurate copies and have been registered as Boeing F A 18C Hugo Wolf aircraft with tail numbers X 5098 and X 5099 109 These include a complex equipment fit including many original cockpit components and instruments allowing the simulation of fires fuel leaks nosewheel collapse and other emergency scenarios X 5098 is permanently stationed at Payerne Air Base while X 5099 the first one built is moved between air bases according to training demands 110 111 Air USA Edit Air USA a provider of training services to various U S government agencies has signed a deal to acquire Australia s remaining F A 18A B Hornets after 25 of these were sold to Canada Air USA is slated to receive 46 Hornets with 36 in flyable condition and is planning to restore the remaining 10 to airworthiness as well The Hornets will be used as testers and aggressor jets to train pilots 112 113 Potential operators Edit The F A 18C and F A 18D were considered by the French Navy Marine Nationale during the 1980s for deployment on their aircraft carriers Clemenceau and Foch 114 and again in the 1990s for the later nuclear powered Charles de Gaulle 115 in the event that the Dassault Rafale M was not brought into service when originally planned Austria 116 Chile 25 Czech Republic 116 Hungary 116 Philippines 116 Poland 116 Singapore 25 and Turkey citation needed evaluated the Hornet but did not purchase it Thailand ordered four C and four D model Hornets but the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s resulted in the order being canceled The Hornets were completed as F A 18Ds for the U S Marine Corps 25 The F A 18A and F 18L land based version competed for a fighter contract from Greece in the 1980s 117 The Greek government chose F 16 and Mirage 2000 instead Variants EditF A 18A B Hornet Edit An F A 18B Hornet assigned to the U S Naval Test Pilot School The F A 18A single seat variant can employ the AGM 84 Harpoon AGM 65E Maverick 118 119 AGM 88 HARM and the AGM 62 Walleye I II 120 121 The F A 18A was also equipped with the AN AAS 38 Nite Hawk targeting pod and the AN ASQ 173 laser spot tracker for targeting 122 During the Gulf War there were limited numbers of the Nite hawk for USN and USMC Hornets 123 The F A 18B has space for the two seat cockpit provided by a relocation of avionics equipment and a 6 reduction in internal fuel Two seat Hornets are otherwise fully combat capable The B model is used primarily for training In 1992 the original Hughes AN APG 65 radar was replaced with the Hughes now Raytheon AN APG 73 a faster and more capable radar A model Hornets that have been upgraded to the AN APG 73 and are capable of carrying the AIM 120 AMRAAM are designated F A 18A F A 18C D Hornet Edit A U S Marine Corps F A 18C of VMFA 323 launches off the flight deck of the USS Nimitz The F A 18C is the single seat variant and the F A 18D is the two seat variant The D model can be configured for training or as an all weather strike craft The missionized D model s rear seat is configured for a Marine Corps Naval Flight Officer who functions as a Weapons and Sensors Officer to assist in operating the weapons systems The F A 18D is primarily operated by the U S Marine Corps in the night attack and Forward Air Controller Airborne FAC A roles 124 The F A 18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987 17 incorporating upgraded radar avionics and the capacity to carry new missiles such as the AIM 120 AMRAAM air to air missile 7 and later on the AGM 84E SLAM as well as the IR version of the AGM 65 AGM 65F 125 122 Other upgrades include the Martin Baker NACES Navy Aircrew Common ejection seat and a self protection jammer A synthetic aperture ground mapping radar enables the pilot to locate targets in poor visibility conditions C and D models delivered since 1989 also have improved night attack abilities consisting of the Hughes AN AAR 50 thermal navigation pod AN AAS 38A NITE Hawk FLIR forward looking infrared array targeting pod night vision goggles and two full color formerly monochrome multi function display MFDs and a color moving map 7 Marines perform maintenance on an F A 18D of VMFA 242 Sixty D model Hornets are configured as the night attack F A 18D RC with ability for reconnaissance 124 These could be outfitted with the ATARS electro optical sensor package that includes a sensor pod and equipment mounted in the place of the M61 cannon 126 Beginning in 1992 the F404 GE 402 enhanced performance engine providing approximately 10 more maximum static thrust became the standard Hornet engine 127 Since 1993 the AAS 38A NITE Hawk added a designator ranger laser allowing it to self mark targets The later AAS 38B added the ability to strike targets designated by lasers from other aircraft 128 Production of the C and D models ended in 2000 The last F A 18C was assembled in Finland and delivered to the Finnish Air Force in August 2000 78 The last F A 18D was delivered to the U S Marine Corps in August 2000 103 The U S Navy retired its F A 18C D in February 2019 129 However USMC still retains theirs and is in the process of upgrading their radar to APG 79 V 4 Active Electronically Scanned Array AESA radar system E F Super Hornet Edit Main article Boeing F A 18E F Super Hornet A VFA 11 F A 18F Super Hornet performing evasive maneuvers during an air power demonstration above USS Harry S Truman CVN 75 The single seat F A 18E and two seat F A 18F both officially named Super Hornet carry over the name and design concept of the original F A 18 but have been extensively redesigned by McDonnell Douglas The Super Hornet has a new 25 larger airframe larger rectangular air intakes more powerful GE F414 engines based on F A 18 s F404 and an upgraded avionics suite Like the Marine Corps F A 18D the Navy s F A 18F carries a naval flight officer as a second crew member in a weapon systems officer WSO role The Super Hornet is unofficially known as Rhino in operational use This name was chosen to distinguish the newer variants from the legacy F 18A B C D Hornet and avoid confusion during carrier deck operations 130 131 132 The Super Hornet is also operated by Australia G Growler Edit Main article Boeing EA 18G Growler The EA 18G Growler is an electronic warfare version of the two seat F A 18F which entered production in 2007 The Growler has replaced the Navy s EA 6B Prowler and carries a Naval Flight Officer as a second crewman in an Electronic Warfare Officer EWO role US variants list Edit F A 18A Original single seat version can carry the AGM 84 ASM AGM 62 Walleye AGM 88 HARM and the TV guided versions AGM 65 Maverick 122 F A 18B Two seat version of the F A 18A combat capable but mainly used for training 7 F A 18C Improved version of the F A 18A can carry the AIM 120 AMRAAM AGM 84E SLAM and the IR guided versions AGM 65 Maverick 122 125 7 F A 18D Two seat version of the F A 18C used only by USMC 7 F 18 R This was a proposed reconnaissance version of the F A 18A It included a sensor package that replaced the 20 mm cannon The first of two prototypes flew in August 1984 Small numbers were produced 126 RF 18D Proposed two seat reconnaissance version for the U S Marine Corps in the mid 1980s It was to carry a radar reconnaissance pod The system was canceled after it was unfunded in 1988 This ability was later realized on the F A 18D RC 126 TF 18A Two seat training version of the F A 18A fighter later redesignated F A 18B 3 X 53 NASA s modified F A 18 F 18 HARV Single seat High Alpha Research Vehicle for NASA 133 High angles of attack using thrust vectoring modifications to the flight controls and forebody strakesX 53 Active Aeroelastic Wing A NASA F A 18 has been modified to demonstrate the Active Aeroelastic Wing technology and was designated X 53 in December 2006 Export variants Edit These designations are not part of 1962 United States Tri Service aircraft designation system F 18L A proposed land based export version of the single seat F 18A with air superiority and attack capabilities This variant was to be lightened by the removal of carrier landing capability and assembled by Northrop Customers preferred the standard Hornet and the F 18L never entered mass production 25 A F A 18A B A F A 18A Single seat fighter attack version for the Royal Australian Air Force A F A 18B Two seat training version for the Royal Australian Air Force F A 18A was the original company designation designations of AF 18A amp ATF 18A have also been applied Assembled in Australia excluding the first two A F A 18Bs by Aero Space Technologies of Australia ASTA from 1985 through to 1990 from kits produced by McDonnell Douglas with increasing local content in the later aircraft Originally the most notable differences between an Australian A F A 18A B and a US F A 18A B were the lack of a catapult attachment replacing the carrier tailhook with a lighter land arresting hook and the automatic carrier landing system with an Instrument Landing System Australian Hornets have been involved in several major upgrade programs This program called HUG Hornet Upgrade has had a few evolutions over the years The first was to give Australian Hornets F A 18C model avionics The second and current upgrade program HUG 2 2 updates the fleet s avionics even further By 2021 12 A F A 18A and 6 A F A 18B and an additional 7 broken down A F A 18 for spare parts were sold to the Royal Canadian Air Force 65 CF 188CF 188A Single seat fighter attack version for the Canadian Armed Forces CAF Royal Canadian Air Force RCAF Unofficially referred to as the CF 18A Hornet CF 188B Two seat training and combat version for the CAF RCAF Unofficially referred to as the CF 18B Hornet EF 18 HornetEF 18A Single seat fighter attack version for the Spanish Air and Space Force the E is for Espana Spain in Spanish The Spanish Air and Space Force designation is C 15 the C being for Caza fighter aircraft in Spanish lit hunt They were first upgraded to the EF 18A version in 1992 this included pylons computing and electronic systems in the F A 18C standard The Spanish Air and Space Force acquired licenses and locally developed many upgrades to the Operating Flying Program OFP i e the software that controls the aircraft computers They were the first hornets in the world capable of using the AGM 65 Maverick air to ground missile and the first air force to use it against naval targets From 2004 to 2013 they were locally upgraded by EADS CASA and Indra Sistemas in the Mid life Upgrade MLU program with better avionics data buses TPAC data presentation bigger color and touch displays similar to the F A 18E Super Hornet navigation communications radios software and ECM suit The AN APG 65 radar was upgraded to the V3 version and the aircraft also received the AL 400 Radar Warning Receiver and the ASQ 600 emission detector and were certified to operate with Iris T Meteor GBU 48 and Taurus This also included a thorough structural and engine revision and overhaul and a new paint job for a few units This version is locally known as EF 18MLU C 15M and is considered superior to the US F A 18C version EF 18B Two seat training version for the Spanish Air and Space Force The Spanish Air and Space Force designation is CE 15 The E is for Entrenamiento meaning training in Spanish They were first upgraded to the EF 18B version in 1992 KAF 18 HornetKAF 18C Single seat fighter attack version for the Kuwait Air Force 89 KAF 18D Two seat training version for the Kuwait Air Force 89 F A 18C of the Swiss Air Force taxis for takeoff F 18C D HornetThe Finnish Air Force uses F A 18C D Hornets with a Finland specific mid life update The first seven Hornets D models were produced by McDonnell Douglas 79 The 57 single seat F 18C model units were assembled by Patria in Finland 134 These variants were delivered without air to ground capability so the letter A was dropped from the name They were later upgraded to carry air to ground weaponry F 18C D HornetSwitzerland uses F 18C D 135 later Swiss specific mid life update The Swiss F 18s had no ground attack capability originally until hardware was retrofitted Operators EditFor operators of F A 18E and F Super Hornets and its export variants see Boeing F A 18E F Super Hornet Operators F A 18 operators are in blue source source source source source source source source source source NASA video of an F A 18A aerial refueling operation documenting behavior of the drogue basket 2002 United States Marine Corps Aviation 136 273 F A 18A B C D Hornets in operation as of 2015 VMFA 112 1992 present Marine Air Reserve VMFA 115 1985 present VMFA 122 1986 2017 converted to F 35B VMFA 134 1989 2007 Marine Corps Reserve placed in cadre status VMFA 142 1990 2008 Marine Corps Reserve placed in cadre status VMFA 212 1988 2008 disestablished VMFA 232 1989 present VMFA 235 1989 1996 disestablished VMFA 251 1987 2020 137 to convert to F 35C VMFA 312 1987 present VMFA 314 1982 2019 converted to F 35C VMFA 321 1991 2004 Marine Corps Reserve disestablished VMFA 323 1982 present VMFA 333 1987 1992 disestablished VMFA 451 1987 1997 re designated to VMFAT 501 April 2010 converted to F 35B VMFA 531 1984 1992 disestablished VMFA AW 121 1989 2012 converted to F 35B VMFA AW 224 1993 present VMFA AW 225 1991 2020 converted to F 35B VMFA AW 242 1991 2020 converted to F 35B VMFA AW 332 1993 2007 disestablished VMFA AW 533 1992 present VMFAT 101 1987 present USMC FRS operates F A 18A A B C D MAWTS 1 1990 present NASA s Armstrong Flight Research Center formerly Dryden Flight Research Center 4 F A 18s in use 138 CanadaRoyal Canadian Air Force see McDonnell Douglas CF 18 Hornet 86 63 CF 18A amp 23 CF 18B aircraft in use as of 2021 139 FinlandFinnish Air Force 55 F 18Cs and 7 F 18Ds in use as of 2021 140 141 Karelian Air Command No 31 Squadron Lapland Air Command No 11 Squadron Satakunta Air Command No 21 Squadron defunct 6 2014 142 KuwaitKuwait Air Force 31 F A 18Cs and 8 F A 18Ds in service as of November 2008 update 143 Only 34 27 F A 18C amp 7 F A 18D aircraft remain in use as of 2021 144 9th Fighter and Attack Squadron 145 25th Fighter and Attack Squadron 145 Royal Malaysian Air Force Boeing F A 18 Hornet during Cope Taufan 2012 MalaysiaRoyal Malaysian Air Force 8 F A 18Ds in operation 2021 143 146 No 18 Squadron RMAF Butterworth air base 147 SpainSpanish Air and Space Force 85 F A 18A B in service 148 Only 84 72 EF 18M and F A 18C amp 12 EF 18BM aircraft remain in use as of 2021 149 Ala de Caza 15 15th Fighter Wing Zaragoza AB 151 152 and 153 Squadrons Ala de Caza 12 Torrejon AB 121 and 122 Squadrons Ala 46 Gando AB Canary islands with Squadron 462 operating 20 ex U S Navy F A 18As They have not received any important upgrades unlike the hornets operating from the Spanish mainland 150 SwitzerlandSwiss Air Force 25 F A 18Cs and 5 F A 18Ds in service as of 2021 151 152 149 Fliegerstaffel 11 153 Fliegerstaffel 17 153 Fliegerstaffel 18 153 Former operators Edit AustraliaRoyal Australian Air Force 154 No 3 Squadron RAAF 1985 2017 converted to F 35A No 75 Squadron RAAF 1988 2021 converted to F 35A No 77 Squadron RAAF 1985 2020 converted to F 35A No 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF 1985 2019 converted to F 35A Aircraft Research and Development Unit U S Navy F A 18C from VFA 131 launches from French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle off the Virginia Capes F A 18A Hornets in various color schemes F A 18B Hornets in various color schemes United StatesUnited States Navy 51 VFC 12 1990 2021 Naval Air Reserve Force VFA 15 1986 2017 disestablished VFA 22 1990 2004 initially converted to F A 18E Super Hornet 2004 2007 subsequently converted to F A 18F Super Hornet 2007 present VFA 25 1984 2013 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 27 1991 2004 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 34 1996 2019 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet 155 VFA 37 1990 2018 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 81 1988 2008 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 82 1987 2005 disestablished VFA 83 1988 2018 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 86 1987 2012 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 87 1986 2015 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 94 1990 2016 converted to F A 18F Super Hornet VFA 97 1991 2015 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 105 1990 2006 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 106 1984 2018 fleet replacement squadron for USN and USMC operates F A 18E F legacy F A 18A A B C D Hornets phased out in 2018 Converted to F 35C VFA 113 1984 2016 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 115 1996 2001 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 122 2010 2013 fleet replacement squadron for F A 18E F legacy F A 18A A B C D Hornets phased out in 2013 VFA 125 1980 2010 disestablished former fleet replacement squadron for USN and USMC aircraft transferred to VFA 122 and legacy F A 18A A B C D Hornets phased out in 2013 VFA 127 1989 1996 disestablished VFA 131 1984 2018 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 132 1984 1992 disestablished VFA 136 1985 2008 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 137 1985 2003 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 146 1989 2015 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 147 1989 2007 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet but currently operating the F 35C Lightning II VFA 151 1986 2013 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 161 1986 1988 disestablished VFA 192 1986 2014 converted to F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 195 1985 2011 converted to the F A 18E Super Hornet VFA 201 1999 2007 Naval Air Reserve Force disestablished VFA 203 1990 2004 Naval Air Reserve Force disestablished VFA 204 1990 2022 Naval Air Reserve Force converted to F 5N F Tiger II VFA 303 1990 1994 Naval Air Reserve Force disestablished VFA 305 1990 1994 Naval Air Reserve Force disestablished VX 4 1982 1994 merged with VX 5 in 1994 to form VX 9 VX 5 1983 1994 merged with VX 4 in 1994 to form VX 9 VX 9 1994 2020 legacy hornets phased out in 2020 currently operate F A 18E F and E A 18G aircraft VX 23 VX 31 Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center Naval Aviation Warfighting Development CenterAircraft on display EditYF 18A160775 U S Naval Museum of Armament amp Technology NAWS China Lake California 156 This is the first F A 18A built in 1978 Aircraft was recently restored in the same livery after being built Aircraft was moved off base for better public viewing 157 160780 Virginia Air and Space Center Hampton Virginia 158 F A 18A An F A 18A Hornet on display at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum F A 18A on display at the Air Zoo 161353 Patuxent River Naval Air Museum NAS Patuxent River Lexington Park Maryland 159 161366 Naval Air Station Lemoore California main gate 160 161367 Naval Air Systems Command Headquarters Building NAS Patuxent River Lexington Park Maryland 161 161712 Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth Fort Worth Texas in VMFA 112 markings 162 161725 California Science Center museum Los Angeles California 161726 In Blue Angels markings main gate NAS JRB New Orleans New Orleans Louisiana 163 161749 Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum MCAS Miramar California 164 161941 In Blue Angels 1 markings main gate NAS Jacksonville Heritage Park Jacksonville Florida 165 161942 In Blue Angels 1 markings USS Lexington Museum Corpus Christi Texas On loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola Florida 166 161957 Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division NAWCTSD Naval Support Activity Orlando Florida 167 This aircraft was relocated from NAS Atlanta Georgia following that installation s BRAC directed closure 161961 Naval Air Station Pensacola Florida main gate in Blue Angels 1 markings 168 161982 Navy Inventory Control Point Philadelphia NAVINCP P Philadelphia Pennsylvania 169 161983 In Blue Angels 5 markings Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Annapolis Maryland 170 162430 Palm Springs Air Museum Palm Springs California 171 162435 Patriots Point Naval amp Maritime Museum Mount Pleasant South Carolina 172 F A 18A on display at the Texas Air Museum in Slaton Texas 162437 Texas Air Museum Slaton Texas in VMFA 531 markings 173 162448 Naval Air Facility El Centro California main gate 174 162454 NAS Oceana Air Park Naval Air Station Oceana Virginia 175 162826 In Blue Angels 3 markings Fort Worth Aviation Museum Fort Worth Texas 176 162901 USS Midway CV 41 San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum San Diego California 177 163093 In Blue Angels 6 markings 178 Pima Air and Space Museum Tucson Arizona 163119 Defense Supply Center Richmond Richmond Virginia 179 163152 Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum MCAS Miramar California 164 163157 MCAS Beaufort South Carolina 180 NASA F A 18A at JetHawks Stadium Unknown The Hangar Lancaster JetHawks stadium Lancaster California Painted as NASA No 842 181 162436 on display at the Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum Horsham Pennsylvania 161521 In Blue Angels 3 markings Third Hornet received by Blue Angels 1987 Under restoration and display at Moffett Historical Museum Moffett Federal Airfield California 162411 In Blue Angel 5 markings with the names Lt Cmdr Dick Oliver and Lt Cmdr Stuart Powrie Oliver died when flying a F 11A in 1966 for the Blues and Powrie passed away in an A 4 Skyhawk Located at then Hickory Aviation Museum Hickory North Carolina 182 F A 18B161746 In Blue Angels 7 markings at Saint Louis Science Center Saint Louis Missouri 183 161943 In Blue Angels 7 markings at Yanks Air Museum Chino California 184 F A 18C163106 In Blue Angels 2 markings Museum of Flight Seattle Washington 185 163437 In front of Headquarters Naval Air Force Atlantic Naval Station Norfolk Norfolk Virginia 186 163439 In Blue Angel 1 markings at the Smithsonian Air And Space Museum Washington DC 187 163498 Lee Victory Recreation Park Smyrna Tennessee 188 F A 18D163486 MCAS Beaufort East Side Beaufort South Carolina Painted as VMFA AW 533 CO bird aircraft 01 at the officers club 189 Notable accidents EditOn 8 December 2008 an F A 18D crashed in a populated area of San Diego while on approach to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar killing four people on the ground 190 The pilot ejected safely there was no weapon systems officer WSO on board the aircraft 191 On 6 April 2012 a USN F A 18D from VFA 106 192 crashed into apartment buildings in Virginia Beach Virginia Both crew members ejected 193 Seven people were injured including the two pilots who were taken to the hospital all survived The crew performed a last second fuel dump and thus may have prevented a large explosion and fire after the crash 194 On 2 June 2016 United States Marine Corps Captain Jeff Kuss fatally crashed due to weather and fatigue during a training exercise to prepare for the Great Tennessee Air Show 195 Capt Kuss s jet Blue Angels No 6 crashed about two miles from the runway after an attempted Split S maneuver 196 Specifications F A 18C D Edit 3 view drawing of the F A 18 Hornet VX 4 F A 18 with ten AIM 120 AMRAAMs and two AIM 9 Sidewinders M61 Vulcan on display at Miramar Airshow Data from U S Navy fact file 197 Frawley Directory 198 Great Book 199 General characteristicsCrew 1 C 2 D pilot and weapon systems officer Length 56 ft 1 in 17 1 m Wingspan 40 ft 4 in 12 3 m with AIM 9 Sidewinders on wingtip LAU 7 launchers Width 27 ft 7 in 8 4 m wing folded Height 15 ft 5 in 4 7 m Wing area 410 sq ft 38 m2 Aspect ratio 4 Airfoil root NACA 65A005 mod tip NACA 65A003 5 mod Empty weight 23 000 lb 10 433 kg Gross weight 36 970 lb 16 769 kg Max takeoff weight 51 900 lb 23 541 kg Fuel capacity 10 860 pounds 4 930 kg internally Powerplant 2 General Electric F404 GE 402 afterburning turbofan engines 11 000 lbf 49 kN thrust each dry 17 750 lbf 79 0 kN with afterburnerPerformance Maximum speed 1 034 kn 1 190 mph 1 915 km h at 40 000 ft 12 000 m Maximum speed Mach 1 8 Cruise speed 570 kn 660 mph 1 060 km h Range 1 089 nmi 1 253 mi 2 017 km Combat range 400 nmi 460 mi 740 km air air mission Ferry range 1 800 nmi 2 100 mi 3 300 km Service ceiling 50 000 ft 15 000 m Rate of climb 50 000 ft min 250 m s Wing loading 93 lb sq ft 450 kg m2 Thrust weight 0 96 1 13 with loaded weight at 50 internal fuel Armament Guns 1 20 mm 0 787 in M61A1 Vulcan nose mounted 6 barrel rotary cannon 578 rounds Hardpoints 9 total 2 wingtips missile launch rail 4 under wing and 3 under fuselage with a capacity of 13 700 lb 6 200 kg external fuel and ordnance with provisions to carry combinations of Rockets 2 75 in 70 mm Hydra 70 rockets 5 in 127 0 mm Zuni rockets Missiles Air to air missiles 2 AIM 9 Sidewinder on wingtips and 8 AIM 9 Sidewinder with double racks or 4 AIM 132 ASRAAM or 4 IRIS T EF 18A B or 8 AIM 120 AMRAAM with double racks and 2 AIM 7 Sparrow or 2 AIM 120 AMRAAM Air to surface missiles 4 AGM 65 Maverick AGM 84H K Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response SLAM ER AGM 88 HARM Anti radiation missile ARM 4 AGM 154 Joint Standoff Weapon JSOW AGM 158 Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile JASSM Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile Anti ship missile AGM 84 Harpoon Bombs B83 nuclear bomb B61 nuclear bomb 200 Joint Direct Attack Munition JDAM precision guided munition PGMs Paveway series of laser guided bombs Mk 80 series of unguided bombs CBU 78 Gator CBU 87 Combined Effects Munition CBU 97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon Mk 20 Rockeye II Mk 77 Incendiary bomb Other ADM 141 TALD SUU 42A A Flares Infrared decoys dispenser pod and chaff pod or Electronic countermeasures ECM pod or AN AAS 38 Nite Hawk Targeting pods U S Navy only now being replaced by AN ASQ 228 ATFLIR or LITENING targeting pod USMC Royal Australian Air Force Spanish Air and Space Force and Finnish Air Force only or up to 3 330 US gallons 270 imp gal 1 200 L Sargent Fletcher FPU 8 A drop tanks for ferry flight or extended range loitering time Avionics Hughes APG 73 radar ALR 67 radar warning receiver ROVER Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver antenna for use by U S Navy s F A 18C strike fighter squadronsSee also Edit United States portal Aviation portalAircraft in fiction F A 18 Hornet for notable appearances in the media 4th generation jet fighterRelated development Northrop YF 17 McDonnell Douglas CF 18 Hornet Boeing F A 18E F Super Hornet Boeing EA 18G Growler High Alpha Research Vehicle Boeing X 53 Active Aeroelastic WingAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Dassault Rafale Eurofighter Typhoon General Dynamics F 16 Fighting Falcon Chengdu J 10 Mikoyan MiG 29K Vought Model 1600Related lists List of active United States military aircraft List of fighter aircraftReferences EditCitations Edit Jenkins 2000 pp 186 87 Kelly Orr Hornet the Inside Story of the F A 18 Novato California Presidio Press 1990 ISBN 978 0 89141 344 8 a b c d e f g Jenkins 2000 pp 19 21 a b c d F A 18 Hornet and F A 18 Super Hornet Archived 17 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine U S Navy Retrieved 4 July 2008 Donald David ed Boeing F A 18 Hornet Warplanes of the Fleet London AIRtime 2004 ISBN 978 1 880588 81 9 a b Jenkins 2000 pp 22 26 a b c d e f g h i j k F A 18 Hornet Archived 8 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine Federation of American Scientists Retrieved 4 July 2008 a b Jenkins 2000 pp 26 29 Northrop F A 18L design brochure 1978 a b DAY KATHLEEN 9 April 1985 McDonnell Settles Suit by Northrop for 50 Million Articles latimes com Archived from the original on 11 October 2017 Retrieved 10 April 2018 a b McDonnell Northrop Suit The McDonnell Douglas Corporation and the Northrop Corporation yesterday announced The New York Times 9 April 1985 Archived from the original on 10 August 2017 Retrieved 4 September 2017 a b McDonnell Douglas Northrop Settle Jet Feud Washingtonpost com 9 April 1985 Archived from the original on 18 October 2017 Retrieved 10 April 2018 a b c Kelly Orr 2014 Hornet The Inside Story of the F A 18 Open Road Media p 113 ISBN 978 1 4976 4567 7 F A 18 E F Super Hornet Northrop Grumman Archived from the original on 31 March 2018 Retrieved 10 April 2018 Northrop F 5G F 20A Tigershark Joebaugher com Archived from the original on 13 November 2017 Retrieved 10 April 2018 Jenkins 2000 p 35 a b c d e f g h i F A 18 Hornet Milestones Boeing Retrieved 17 March 2007 Archived 21 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine Donald 2004 p 45 Munoz Carlo Navy Marines Eye JSF Dough to Keep F 18s Flying Archived 7 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine AOL Defense 29 September 2011 Jenkins 2000 pp 131 139 F 18 High Alpha Research Vehicle HARV fact sheet Archived 21 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine NASA Dryden Flight Research Center Retrieved 1 November 2009 Jenkins 2000 pp 24 144 Spick 2000 p 278 Jenkins 2000 p 29 a b c d e f Jenkins 2000 Koku Fan December 1986 1986 USS Midway Cruises October 1984 April 1988 www midwaysailor com Retrieved 14 November 2022 Blue Angels Historical aircraft Archived 22 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine Blue Angels web page Venhuizen Harm 3 November 2020 Blue Angels to make final flight in the legacy F A 18 Hornet as they transition to Super Hornets Militarytimes com Retrieved 5 January 2021 U S Navy Blue Angels Frequently Asked Questions Blueangels navy mil Archived from the original on 23 November 2016 Retrieved 5 January 2021 F A 18 Mission Support Aircraft Nasa gov Archived from the original on 30 September 2015 Retrieved 24 January 2016 Gibbs Yvonne 13 November 2018 NASA Receives First of Three F A 18Bs Nasa gov Retrieved 15 February 2022 http www nasa gov centers dryden status reports SCA Endeavour status 09 12 html dead link Jenkins 2000 pp 42 44 Jenkins 2000 p 71 Miller David The Illustrated Directory of Modern Weapons St Paul Minnesota MBI Publishing Company 2002 ISBN 978 0 7603 1346 6 Naval Aviation Museum Receives MiG 21 and F A 18s for Gulf War Display Warbirdsnews com 27 August 2019 Retrieved 5 January 2021 a b 017 Desert Storm MiG Kill Fighterpilotpodcast com 3 June 2018 Retrieved 5 January 2021 Desert Storm MiG Kill Fighterpilotpodcast com 3 June 2018 Jenkins 2000 pp 74 75 Jenkins 2000 p 72 Officials Identify Gulf War Pilot s Remains Archived 5 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine U S Navy 2 August 2009 Retrieved 1 November 2009 Intelligence Community Assessment of the Lieutenant Commander Speicher Case 27 March 2001 FOIA Electronic Reading Room CIA 10 September 2006 page 1 page 2 page 3 Atkinson Rick 1994 Crusade The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf War Houghton Mifflin Harcourt p 47 ISBN 0 395 71083 9 Weiner Tim With Iraq s O K a U S Team Seeks War Pilot s Body The New York Times 14 December 1995 A1 The Air Forces Book of the F A 18 Hornet p 85 Nathan Dennis White Lieutenant United States Navy Archived 12 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine Arlington National Cemetery Retrieved 19 September 2010 Marines Would Save 1B If F 35 Entered Service Faster F 18 Hornets Struggling To Stay Mission Ready News usni org 28 March 2017 Archived from the original on 9 April 2018 Retrieved 10 April 2018 Navy Retires F A 18C Hornet from Combat as F 35C Enters Service Archived 20 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine Military com 20 April 2018 End of the Line for the Fleet s Legacy Hornets Archived 3 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine Aviation International News 31 January 2019 a b US Navy F A 18C Hornet makes final flight Flightglobal com 4 October 2019 a b Crick Darren ADF Aircraft Serial Numbers RAAF A21 McDonnell Douglas F A 18A B Hornet Archived 18 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine adf serials com Retrieved 31 December 2006 a b Jenkins 2000 p 86 Wilson 1993 pp 80 81 a b Tewes Alex Australia s F A 18 Hornet Aircraft Implications of Use in Iraq Parliament of Australia Parliamentary Library 18 March 2003 Retrieved 1 November 2009 Archived 5 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine Jenkins 2000 pp 86 89 Holmes 2006 p 38 Jenkins 2000 p 91 Nelson Brendan Joint Strike Fighter Archived 16 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Defence Ministers amp Parliamentary secretary Media Release 1 February 2007 Retrieved 4 July 2008 Nelson Brendan 6 billion to maintain Australia s regional air superiority Archived 1 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine Defence Ministers amp Parliamentary secretary Media Release 3 June 2007 Retrieved 4 April 2008 Australia upgrades older F A 18 Hornets Archived 7 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine UPI 2 July 2010 Super Hornets arrive in south east Queensland Archived 13 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine ABC News 26 March 2010 Retrieved 15 July 2011 Air Task Group Deploys Air Force 12 March 2015 p 8 Archived from the original on 12 March 2015 Retrieved 10 March 2015 First two Australian F 18s for the RCAF arrive in Cold Lake here are the photos Ottawa Citizen 17 February 2019 Archived from the original on 19 February 2019 Retrieved 19 February 2019 a b Canada receives final ex RAAF F A 18A B Hornets by Andrew McLaughlin May 13 2021 a b Auditing the Upgrades to the CF 18 Fighter Aircraft Part 1 Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine casr ca December 2004 Retrieved 8 June 2010 Ng Allan The CF18 Incremental Modernization Program In Detail Not Your Father s Hornet the CF18 Incremental Modernization Program Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine casr ca December 2003 Retrieved 8 June 2010 Canada Aviation and Space Museum CF 18B Hornet PDF Archived PDF from the original on 12 July 2020 Retrieved 9 July 2020 Canadian Air Force Attacks Boat First Combat apnewsarchive com Archived from the original on 24 May 2014 Retrieved 23 May 2014 Ng Allen The CF18 Incremental Modernization Program In Detail Not Your Father s Hornet the CF18 Incremental Modernization Program Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine casr ca December 2003 Retrieved 8 June 2010 Government Of 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Potent Sting Air International Volume 75 Number 2 August 2008 pp 22 25 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to McDonnell Douglas F A 18 Hornet F A 18 Hornet U S Navy fact file Archived 7 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine and F A 18 Hornet Navy history page F A 18A Hornet page and Flying the F A 18F Super Hornet page on ausairpower net List of all USN USMC Hornets by Lot Bureau Number BuNo and their known disposition Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine RAAF F A 18A Hornet fact file Swiss Air Force F A 18C Walkaround Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title McDonnell Douglas F A 18 Hornet amp oldid 1152691942, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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