McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet
McDonnell Douglas · United States · first flew 1978 · fighter
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet is the baseline single-seat multirole carrier fighter that entered US Navy and Marine Corps service in 1983, replacing both the F-4 Phantom and A-7 Corsair. It became one of the most important Western naval strike fighters of the late Cold War era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 17.07 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine carrier fighter with prominent LEX (leading-edge extensions)
- Canted twin tails and twin engines with separate nacelles
- Mid-wing layout with trapezoidal wing and prominent wing-fold line
Twin canted tail fins, prominent leading-edge root extensions (LERX) creating an S-curve from wing to nose, and twin engines with square-ish intakes below and beside the fuselage are the defining features shared by all Hornet variants.
Specifications
- The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet has a length of 17.07 m (56 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.43 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1915 km/h (1190 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Derived from the Northrop YF-17 lightweight fighter, the F/A-18A was developed for the Navy's VFAX requirement and first flew in November 1978. It combined the fighter and attack roles in a single airframe, a then-controversial decision that proved highly successful in service. The type entered combat during Operation El Dorado Canyon against Libya in 1986 and has since participated in numerous conflicts.
Variants
The F/A-18A was followed by the improved F/A-18C with upgraded radar and avionics; the two-seat F/A-18B and D trainers are equivalent; the substantially redesigned F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a larger derivative in current production.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the US Navy and Marine Corps from 1983; also exported to Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain, and Switzerland. Australia and Canada operate the CF-18 and F/A-18A respectively.
Related aircraft
- AV-8B Harrier II
- F/A-18 Hornet
- McDonnell Douglas MD-80
- McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender
- BAE Sea Harrier
- BAe Sea Harrier FRS.1
- Dassault Mirage 2000
- MiG-25PD
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