Contractor Boeing [McDonnell Douglas Aerospace] and Northrop Grumman (Airframe),General Electric (Engines), andHughes (Radar)
F/A-18C/DHornet F/A-18E/FSuper Hornet
Power Plant Two F404-GE-402 afterburning engines, each in the 18,000 pound thrust class, which results in a combat thrust-to-weight ratio greater than 1-to-1. Depending on the mission and loading, combat radius is greater than 500 nautical miles. Twin F414-GE-400 engines, each in the 22,000 pound thrust class. On an interdiction mission, the E/F will fly up to 40 % further than the C/D.
Accommodations · The F/A-18C and F/A-18E are single seat aircraft. · The D and F models are flown by two crew members. · The aft seat in the D and F may be configured with a stick and throttle for the training environment (or without when crewed with a Weapons System Officer).
Performance · F/A-18C maximum speed at level flight in altitudes of 36,089 ft.Mach 1.7 · F/A-18E maximum speed at level flight in altitudes of 36,089 ft.Mach 1.6
Armament · F/A-18C/D can carry up to 13,700 pounds of external ordnance. · Weapon stations include: two wingtip stations for Sidewinders; two outboard wing stations for air-to-air or air-to-ground weapons; two inboard wing stations for fuel tanks, air-to-air, or air-to-ground weapons; two nacelle fuselage stations for AMRAAMs, Sparrows, or sensor pods; and one centerline station for fuel or air-to-ground weapons. M61 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon with 520 rounds of 20mm ammunition is internally mounted in the noseAIM-9 SidewinderAIM-7F SparrowAIM-120 AMRAAM AGM-65E MaverickAGM-84 HarpoonAGM-88A HARMMK8210 CBU-8710 CBU-89GBU-12GBU-24JDAMB-57 or B-61 Nuclear bomb · F/A-18E/F can carry up to 17,750 pounds of external ordnance; two additional wing store stations have been added.
Mission and Capabilities · The F/A-18 Hornet can perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. · Cockpit displays and mission avionics are thoroughly integrated to enhance crew situational awareness and mission capability in high threat, adverse weather/night environments. · Cockpits are night vision goggle compatible. · Multi-Sensor Integration and advanced data link capabilities further enhance situational awareness. · The E/F model will be able to perform a strike tanker mission while carrying a self-protection air-to-air missile loadout. · The E/F model will also have greater payload flexibility, increased mission radius, survivability, payload bring back, and a substantial avionics growth potential.
Unit cost $FY98[Total Program] $39.5 million. $60 million
Program Summary F/A-18A/B first entered operational service with the USN and USMC in 1982. Since 1982, more than 1,458 F/A-18s have been procured for the USN and USMC and for the armed services in Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Switzerland, Finland, and Malaysia. In 1987, the upgraded C/D model (with enhanced mission avionics) was introduced and upgraded with a night/adverse weather mission capability, On Board Oxygen Generating System, APG-73 Radar Upgrade, enhanced performance F404-GE-402 engines, and upgraded mission computers. The first flight of the F/A-18E/F occurred in December 1995; operational deliveries are scheduled for late 1999. |
