Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet

Summary

Category	Combat aircraft
Origin country	🇺🇸 United States
First flight	29 November 1995
Year of introduction	2002
Number produced	632 units
Average unit price	$57 million

Description

Although the F/A-18 Hornet successfully fulfills its intended missions within the US Air Force and US Navy, this aircraft suffers from limited payload capacity and range. With the obsolescence and gradual retirement of several aircraft such as the A-6 Intruder, F-4 Phantom II, and F-14 Tomcat, the need for a heavier fighter began to arise. After studying various possibilities, including improved versions of the A-6 and F-14, as well as a new stealthy carrier-based aircraft, it was decided that a modernized and enlarged version of the F/A-18 Hornet would be pursued.

The first twelve pre-production aircraft were delivered in November 1999 for operational evaluation by the Navy. Following a satisfactory test period, two successive orders were placed, totaling 548 aircraft, which were expected to be delivered by 2009. Just a few months after entering service, the first Super Hornet squadron, deployed aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, saw combat in Iraq in November 2002.

The Super Hornet's airframe is 25% larger than the original Hornet, but it contains fewer components, enhancing its survivability and endurance while maintaining excellent maneuverability. Additionally, its internal fuel capacity is increased by one-third, resulting in a 40% greater range compared to its predecessor, even with its new F414 engines that are 35% more powerful than the F404 engines of the Hornet I. The Super Hornet expands upon the multirole capabilities of its predecessor while retaining the majority of its avionics system. It also features two additional weapon hardpoints (bringing the total to eleven) that allow for a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground precision weaponry. Two variants of the Super Hornet have been developed: the single-seat F/A-18E and the dual-seat F/A-18F.

Given the successful export history of the F/A-18 Hornet, it is likely that this new version will be of interest to several countries. Kuwait and Malaysia have already expressed their desire to acquire Super Hornets.

Technical specifications

Version: F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet
Crew	1 pilot
Operational range	730 km (454 mi)
Maximum speed	1915 km/h (1190 mph)
Wing area	46.5 m² (500.0 sqft)
Wingspan	13.6 m (44.7 ft)
Height	4.9 m (16.0 ft)
Length	18.3 m (60.1 ft)
Service ceiling	15240 m (50000 ft)
Empty weight	13900 kg (30644 lbs)
Max. takeoff weight	29900 kg (65918 lbs)
Powerplant	2 × turbojets General Electric F414-GE-400 delivering 6350 kgp, up to 9979 kgp with afterburner
Ejection seat	Martin-Baker Mk 14