The Boeing F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, multirole combat jet designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Originally developed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop in the 1970s and later refined by Boeing after its acquisition of McDonnell Douglas, the Hornet became the backbone of many Western air forces, especially the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Capable of operating from aircraft carriers, the F/A-18 was designed with versatility in mind—able to switch seamlessly between fighter and attack roles (hence the “F/A” designation). It proved itself in numerous conflicts, from the Gulf War to modern operations, praised for its agility, reliability, and ease of maintenance.

Key Specifications (F/A-18C Hornet)

• Crew: 1 (F/A-18C) or 2 (F/A-18D).
• Length: 17.1 m (56 ft).
• Wingspan: 11.43 m (37 ft 6 in).
• Height: 4.66 m (15 ft 3.5 in).
• Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW): ~23,000 kg (51,900 lb).
• Engines: 2 × General Electric F404-GE-402 afterburning turbofans.
• Maximum Speed: Mach 1.8 (~1,915 km/h or 1,190 mph).
• Range: ~2,000 km (1,250 mi) with external tanks.
• Ceiling: ~15,240 m (50,000 ft).
• Armament: 1× M61A1 Vulcan 20 mm cannon, up to 7,700 kg (17,000 lb) of ordnance on 9 hardpoints (missiles, bombs, fuel tanks, etc.).

Notable Features

• Multirole Flexibility: One of the first truly multirole combat aircraft, the Hornet can perform air superiority, fighter escort, reconnaissance, close air support, and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) missions.
• Carrier-Capable: Designed for aircraft carrier operations, the F/A-18 features reinforced landing gear, a tailhook for arrested landings, and folding wings to save space on deck.
• Advanced Avionics: The Hornet includes radar warning receivers, countermeasures, and advanced multi-mode radar that supports both air-to-air and air-to-ground targeting.
• Agility and Maneuverability: With excellent aerodynamics and fly-by-wire controls, the Hornet offers superb dogfighting capabilities and low-speed handling for carrier landings.
• Reliability and Maintenance: Designed with ease of maintenance in mind, the F/A-18 is noted for high mission-readiness rates and reduced logistical footprint compared to earlier aircraft.

Operators & Usage

• United States: The primary user, with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps employing F/A-18A/B/C/D models extensively until being gradually replaced by the Super Hornet (F/A-18E/F) and F-35.
• International Operators: Australia, Canada, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, and Kuwait have operated the Hornet, often adapting it to their unique mission needs.
• Combat History: The F/A-18 has seen action in conflicts from the Gulf War to the War in Afghanistan, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and numerous peacekeeping missions.
• Blue Angels: The U.S. Navy’s famed flight demonstration squadron used the F/A-18 Hornet for over three decades before transitioning to the Super Hornet in 2021.
• Legacy and Transition: While being phased out in favor of newer platforms like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-35, the original Hornet continues to serve with several nations and in reserve capacities.