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THE PLANES - MCDONNELL DOUGLAS F-18 HORNET
The F/A-18 Hornet has once again demonstrated its versatility during the recent
war in Kosovo. Two Marine Corps F/A-18D model Hornets-the two seat
version-equipped with the Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System (ATARS)
entered combat operations May 26, 1999 filling a void in airborne manned
tactical reconnaissance in the Marine Corps since the RF-4 Phantom retired from
service.
The Marine Corps began taking delivery of Hornets with provisions for a
reconnaissance package in February 1992. Plans call for a total purchase of 31
tactical reconnaissance conversion kits, 24 data link pods and seven squadron
ground stations. Deliveries will continue through 2002.
The combat-proven F/A-18 Hornet is a single- and dual-seat, twin-engine
multimission tactical aircraft. It is the first tactical aircraft designed from
its inception to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
Today, the F/A-18 is in service with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the
air forces of Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Finland, Switzerland, and
Malaysia. As of May 1999 Hornet pilots have accumulated more than 3.7 million
flight hours and, in the process, are establishing new records daily in safety,
reliability, maintainability and mission performance.
A key aspect of the Hornet's popularity with pilots is the ease with which the
aircraft can be converted from fighter to strike mode and back again; it's as
easy as flipping a switch. During Operation Desert Storm, F/A-18s routinely
performed fighter and strike missions on the same sortie. Fulfilling a variety
of roles-air superiority, fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses,
reconnaissance, forward air control, close air support, and day and night strike
missions-the F/A-18 has proven to be the most versatile combat aircraft in
service.
The Hornet was designed to be reliable and easily maintainable. These factors
result in significantly lower operating and maintenance costs for the F/A-18
compared to other U.S. Navy fighter and attack aircraft; and life cycle costs
comparable to other modern multi-role aircraft. Survivability is another key
feature of the Hornet. The F/A-18 uses a variety of systems and technologies to
increase its likelihood of reaching a target undetected, of escaping unhurt if
detected, and of returning its crew safely if it is hit. These systems and
technologies have been significantly enhanced in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to
further improve survivability.
The F/A-18 has been upgraded regularly since entering service in 1983. In
November 1989, the first F/A-18s equipped with night strike capability were
delivered. Since 1991, F/A-18s have been delivered with F404-GE-402 enhanced
performance engines that produce up to 20 percent more thrust than previous F404
engines. The Hornet's two engines deliver about 36,000 pounds combined thrust
and a top speed of more than Mach 1.8.
Since May 1994, the Hornet has been equipped with upgraded radar - the APG-73 -,
which substantially increases the speed and memory capacity of the radar's
processors. In addition, today's Hornets have a laser target designator/ranger,
housed within the targeting forward-looking infrared sensor that enables the
aircraft to deliver precision laser-guided bombs with pinpoint accuracy.
The Hornet's exceptional operational record and its continuous improvements have
sparked ongoing international interest. The Philippines, Chile, the Czech
Republic, Hungary and Poland have all expressed interest in the Hornet for
future procurements.
Canada was the first international customer for the F/A-18, and its fleet of 138
Hornets is the largest outside the United States. Deliveries to Canada were
completed in 1988. Canadian CF-18s operate out of Canadian Forces Base Cold
Lake, Alberta; and Canadian Forces Base Bagotville. The Canadian Forces are
currently planning an aircraft modernization program, which would significantly
upgrade the avionics of their CF-18s.
The Operational Conversion Unit at Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown
received its first Hornets in May 1985. Hornets delivered to the RAAF were
assembled in Australia. Aircraft are located at Williamtown, in the east, and
RAAF Base Tindal, in the north. Deliveries were completed in May 1990.
Currently, the fleet is undergoing a two phase upgrade to include advanced
avionics, new countermeasures, a new radar and an advanced air to air weapons
system.
The Spanish Air Force procured 72 EF-18s from 1986 to 1990. The SAF operates
Hornets from air bases at Zaragoza, Torrejon and Meron. In September 1995, the
SAF signed a letter of offer and acceptance to procure an additional 24 F/A-18As
from the U.S. Navy inventory. To date, 13 of these aircraft have been delivered
to the SAF.
Kuwait signed a letter of offer and acceptance for 40 F/A-18 aircraft in August
1988. Delivery of the 40 aircraft was completed in August 1993. The aircraft are
based at Al Jabar Air Base, near Kuwait City. Kuwait received the first F/A-18s
powered with General Electric's new F404-GE-402 enhanced performance engines.
Currently, Kuwait is in a post-production support mode. The United States
continues to support the Kuwait Air Force with program management, contract
administration, logistics, field team visits and sustained engineering.
Finland signed a letter of offer and acceptance for 64 aircraft in June 1992.
The Boeing Company delivered seven F-18D two-seat aircraft to the Finnish Air
Force in 1995. The first of 57 single-seat aircraft, all C models, were
delivered in June 1996 by Boeing's subcontractor Finavitec in Halli, Finland.
Finavitec is scheduled to deliver the final F-18 in 2000.
Switzerland is procuring two complete F/A-18s, 32 F/A-18 kits, support equipment
and services. An F/A-18D and F/A-18C were delivered to Switzerland in December
1996 and early 1997 respectively. Kits for the remaining 32 aircraft were
delivered in 1997. They are currently undergoing final assembly and ramp
operations at the Swiss Aircraft and Systems Co. in Emmen, near Lucerne,
Switzerland. Malaysia signed a letter of offer and acceptance for eight F/A-18
aircraft and support in December 1993. All eight aircraft were delivered during
1997.
The Boeing Company leads a nationwide industry team that builds the F/A-18
Hornet. Boeing builds the forward fuselage and wings, and conducts final
assembly. Northrop Grumman Corp. is the principal airframe subcontractor,
supplying the center and aft fuselage. General Electric Co. produces the
Hornet's engines, and Raytheon manufacturers the aircraft's radar.
STATS
Length: 56 ft.
Height: 15.3 ft.
Wing Span: 40 ft.
Propulsion: Enhanced Performance Engine (EPE): Two F404-GE-402 engines, each in
the 18,000 pound thrust class. Combat thrust-to-weight ratio greater than
one-to-one.
Combat Radius: 500+ nm (900+ km)
Combat Ceiling: Approximately 50,000 ft (15,250 m)
Armament: Up to 13,700 pounds (6,227 kg) external ordnance. Nine weapon
stations; 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. M61A1 20-mm gun internally mounted in the nose.
Crew:
FA-18C: One pilot
FA-18D: One pilot, One weapons and sensors officer (WSO)
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