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1980-01-10
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F/A-18 HORNET
Prime Contractor : McDonnell Douglas
Wingspan : 56 ft.
Height : 15 ft., 3.5 in.
Weight : 36,710 lbs.
Engines : Two General Electric F404-GE-400 turbofans
Engine thrust : 16,000 lbs.
Operating altitude : 50,000 ft.
Top speed : Mach 1.8+
Maximum range : 2,303 miles
Date of service : 1983
The McDonnell Douglas FA-18 "Hornet" began flight test in the late 1970s,
and a production line was set-up quickly after that. The Hornet is the U.S.
Navy's close-in air-superiority fighter that defends aircraft carrier task
forces. The Hornet is the Marine Corps' premier attack aircraft, supporting
its ground forces. Whether used by the Navy or Marine Corps, the Hornet is
the same plane; the "F" and "A" designations simply describe its role as a
fighter jet or an attack jet.
The Hornet is a small, relatively low-cost, twin-engine, single-seat jet
aircraft which makes it appealing to the Navy and Marines. The F/A-18
Hornet first flew in November of 1978, but did not officially enter into
service until 1983. Australia and Canada also selected the Hornet because
of its low cost and versatility. Another factor in Canada's choice of the
Hornet (designated CF-18) was that Canada, like the U.S. Navy, uses the
"hose and drogue" method of aerial refueling, rather than the "flying boom"
method used by the U.S. Air Force. The Hornet has two engines for increased
reliability and can fly to a maximum speed of more than 1,100 MPH at high
altitudes or about 750 MPH at low ones. With an internal fuel load of
1,700 gallons, the plane has a combat radius of about 660 miles for an
attack mission.
The Hornet's armament includes a 20 millimeter cannon mounted on the top
center of the nose. This mounting differs from the F-14, F-15, and F-16,
which mount the cannon on the side of the fuselage. In its fighter con-
figuration, the Hornet, like the Falcon, carries AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-
air missiles on wingtip racks. Other weapons, such as the AIM-7 Sparrow,
are carried underwing. For attack/fighter bomber missions, the F/A-18
Hornet's armorer can select from conventional or nuclear bombs and HARM
antiradar missiles or Maverick air-to-ground missiles. For its naval attack
mission, the Hornet can also carry the AGM-109 Harpoon, a sea-skimming,
antiship missile.
With the Navy and the Marine Corps being the leading edge of military power
worldwide, it is a surity that when called upon, the F/A-18 will be in the
front line leading the way.