Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet Aircraft Data
Single-seat, carrier-based, multi-role fighter/bomber.
The Boeing F/A-18E 'Super Hornet' is the third generation Hornet for the U.S. Navy. Given the retirement of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat in 2006, the 'Super Bug', as it is sometimes referred, will be the mainstay of U.S. Naval Aviation until the introduction of the Joint Strike Fighter. Boeing's fighter has been developed to fill the roles occupied by many different, older designs.
Despite the name, the F/A-18E/F have changed significantly from the first and second generation Hornets. New engines with 35% more thrust, new avionics, a larger air frame make for an advanced platform. The design is to not only replace the earlier F/A-18A/B/C/Ds, now referred to as 'Legacy Hornets', but the aged EA-6B 'Prowler' fleet along with the Grumman S-3 'Viking' aircraft as well.
The U.S. Navy is the only operator of the single-seat F/A-18E, while the Royal Australian Air Force chose an interim buy of 24 dual-seat F/A-18Fs to replace the F-111G. Malaysia, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Kuwait and Brazil have shown significant interest in the F/A-18E/F, but no orders have been placed as of this date.
The Boeing F/A-18E 'Super Hornet' is the third generation Hornet for the U.S. Navy. Given the retirement of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat in 2006, the 'Super Bug', as it is sometimes referred, will be the mainstay of U.S. Naval Aviation until the introduction of the Joint Strike Fighter. Boeing's fighter has been developed to fill the roles occupied by many different, older designs.
Despite the name, the F/A-18E/F have changed significantly from the first and second generation Hornets. New engines with 35% more thrust, new avionics, a larger air frame make for an advanced platform. The design is to not only replace the earlier F/A-18A/B/C/Ds, now referred to as 'Legacy Hornets', but the aged EA-6B 'Prowler' fleet along with the Grumman S-3 'Viking' aircraft as well.
The U.S. Navy is the only operator of the single-seat F/A-18E, while the Royal Australian Air Force chose an interim buy of 24 dual-seat F/A-18Fs to replace the F-111G. Malaysia, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Kuwait and Brazil have shown significant interest in the F/A-18E/F, but no orders have been placed as of this date.
- Country of Origin: United States
- First Flight: 1995
- Initial Service Date: 2001
- No. Built: 367
- No. In Service: 367 (approx.)
- No. of Hardpoints: 9
- Crew: 1
Power:
2 x General Electric F414-400 afterburning turbofans at 44,000 lbf
Weapons:
1 x 20-mm M61A1/A2 Vulcan cannon
2 x AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM
AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84 SLAM, AGM-84 SLAM-ER, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-154 JSOW
GBU-10/12/24 Paveway laser-guided, GBU-31/32/38 JDAM, Mk 82/83/84 GP
ECM pods, SHARP reconnaissance pod, rocket pods, mines
2 x AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM
AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84 SLAM, AGM-84 SLAM-ER, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-154 JSOW
GBU-10/12/24 Paveway laser-guided, GBU-31/32/38 JDAM, Mk 82/83/84 GP
ECM pods, SHARP reconnaissance pod, rocket pods, mines
Dimensions:
| Length: | 60 ft. 1 in. |
| Wing Span: | 44 ft. 8.5 in. |
| Wing Area: | 500 sq.ft |
| Height: | 15 ft. 9.5 in. |
| Empty Weight: | 30,600 lbs |
| Max. Weight: | 66,000 lbs |
| Max. Ordnance Load: | 17,750 lbs |
| Internal Fuel: | 13,550 lbs |
Performance:
| Max. Speed: | 1,190 mph |
| Cruise Speed: | 835 mph |
| Service Ceiling: | 40,000 ft. |
| Normal Range: | 1,200 nm |
| Max. Range: | 1,660 nm |
Random great photos of the Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet:
