The F/A-18 Hornet fighter is an all-weather fighter and
attack aircraft. It fills the roles of fighter escort, fleet air
defense, suppresion of enemy air defenses, interdiction, close
and deep air support, reconnaissance and forward air control.
As a twin engine, multi-mission aircraft, the F/A-18 is superbly
maneuverable, owing to its good thrust to weight ratio, digital
fly-by-wire control system, and leading edge extensions. It has
a top speed of 1.8 mach--almost twice the speed of sound--can
carry an enormouse array of weapons and has a combat range of
approxiamtely 1,275 nautical miles.
Designed in the 1970s, the single-seat Hornet was
the nation's first strike fighter. It is in service with the U.S.
Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, as well as the nations of Canada,
Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland. It
most recently demonstarted its capabilities during Operation Desert
Storm.
|
General Characterisitcs:
Primary Function: Multi-role attack and fighter
aircraft
Builder: McDonnell Douglass
Power Plant: Two F404-GE-400 enhanced performance turbofan
engines
Thrust: 16,000 pounds
Length: 56 ft.
Height: 15'4"
Wingspan: 37.5 ft.
Speed: Mach 1.8
Ceiling: 50,000 ft.
Range: 1,275 nautical miles
Armament: One 20mm MK-61A1 Vulcan cannon
Unit Cost: 24 Million
Crew: A, C and E models: One
B, D and F models: Two
Date Deployed: First flight - November 1978
Operational - October 198
|
