Boeing F/A-18 Hornet

The carrier-capable fighter built for multirole naval operations.

Overview

Boeing United States ICAO: F18 1983–Present $29 million (2006)

The Boeing F/A-18 Hornet entered service in the 1980s as a multirole fighter for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Designed for carrier operations, it combines air-to-air and strike capability. The aircraft has been widely exported.

Live Fleet Activity (F18)

📡

Fetching live data…

Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × General Electric F404-GE-402
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 17,750 lbf · 79 kN
Avionics
Ratheon APG 73
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
56 ft 1 in  ·  17.10 m
Tail height
15 ft 5 in  ·  4.70 m
Fuselage diameter
—
Wing span
40 ft 4 in  ·  12.30 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
52,000 lb  ·  23,600 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
15,400 lb  ·  7,000 kg
Fuel capacity
2,650 gal · 9,900 L · 7,900 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
1,034 kt  ·  1,190 mph  ·  1,915 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
155 kt  ·  178 mph  ·  287 km/h
Range
1,800 nm  ·  2,070 mi  ·  3,330 km
Fuel burn
0.68 nm/gal  ·  0.33 km/L
Ceiling
50,000 ft  ·  15,200 m
Rate of climb
45,000 ft/min  ·  229 m/s
Takeoff distance
1,500 ft  ·  460 m
Landing distance
1,310 ft  ·  400 m
(/) tap to zoom
(/)
Blue Angel McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet

Live fleet activity details

📡
Fetching live data…
All Active Aircraft Types
Flight Airline Reg Alt Speed Heading V/S

Operational Context

Boeing F/A-18 Hornet — carrier-based multirole fighter

The F/A-18 first flew in 1978 and entered service in 1983. It features a twin-engine layout and folding wings for carrier storage. The aircraft was designed to replace older naval fighters and attack aircraft.

Two General Electric F404 turbofan engines producing approximately 16,000 pounds of thrust (71 kN) each with afterburner power the aircraft. Maximum speed exceeds Mach 1.8. Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 51,000 pounds (23,133 kg).

The Hornet has participated in numerous combat operations. It remains in service with several air forces and navies. The aircraft laid the groundwork for the later Super Hornet.

Blog mentions