Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet

The multirole naval fighter built for carrier-based combat operations.

Boeing FA 18E Super Hornet © Tomás Del Coro

Overview

Boeing United States ICAO: FA18 1995–Present $67.4 million (2021)

The Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet is a carrier-capable multirole fighter developed as an enlarged evolution of the original Hornet. Designed for both air superiority and strike missions, it entered service in the late 1990s. The aircraft serves as a principal combat platform for the United States Navy.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × General Electric F414-GE-400
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 22,000 lbf · 98 kN
Avionics
AN/APG-79 AESA, AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
60 ft 1 in  ·  18.31 m
Tail height
16 ft 0 in  ·  4.88 m
Fuselage diameter
3 ft 3 in  ·  1.00 m
Wing span
44 ft 8 in  ·  13.62 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
66,000 lb  ·  29,900 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
17,700 lb  ·  8,050 kg
Fuel capacity
1,760 gal · 6,700 L · 5,300 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
1,032 kt  ·  1,188 mph  ·  1,911 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
134 kt  ·  154 mph  ·  248 km/h
Range
1,275 nm  ·  1,470 mi  ·  2,360 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
50,000 ft  ·  15,200 m
Rate of climb
44,890 ft/min  ·  228 m/s
Takeoff distance
980 ft  ·  300 m
Landing distance
980 ft  ·  300 m
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F/A-18 Super Hornet – 100 years of naval aviation livery

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Operational Context

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

The Super Hornet first flew in 1995 and entered operational service in 1999. It features a larger airframe, increased fuel capacity, and updated avionics compared with the earlier F/A-18 variants. The aircraft operates from aircraft carriers using catapult launches and arrested landings.

Powered by two General Electric F414 turbofan engines producing approximately 22,000 pounds of thrust (98 kN) each with afterburner, the F/A-18E/F can exceed Mach 1.8. Maximum takeoff weight is roughly 66,000 pounds (29,940 kg). It carries a broad range of air-to-air and precision strike weapons.

The Super Hornet has participated in numerous combat operations and continues to receive upgrades. Its flexibility and carrier compatibility make it central to naval aviation strategy. The aircraft remains a cornerstone of U.S. carrier air wings.