F-35 vs F/A-18

By: Rocco

Comparing the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II vs the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet? Start with the quick spec breakdown below, then dive into the story for the bigger picture.

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Fighter Jets
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
ICAO: F35 Status: Active Visit aircraft page
Boeing F/A-18 Hornet
Fighter Jets
Boeing F/A-18 Hornet
ICAO: F18 Status: Inactive Visit aircraft page

General

Units
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Manufacturer
Lockheed Martin
ICAO code
F35
Produced
2011–Present
Price
$115.5 million (2018)
Engine
1 × Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
43,000 lbf · 191 kN +21% (total)
Avionics
JSF Cooperative Avionics
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
1
Boeing F/A-18 Hornet
Manufacturer
Boeing
ICAO code
F18
Produced
1983–Present
Price
$29 million (2006)
Engine
2 × General Electric F404-GE-402
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 17,750 lbf · 79 kN -17% (total)
Avionics
Ratheon APG 73
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2

Dimensions

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Cabin width
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
Cabin height
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
Cabin length
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
Exterior length
51 ft 6 in 15.70 m 51 ft 6 in 15.70 m -8%
Tail height
14 ft 8 in 4.48 m 14 ft 8 in 4.48 m -5%
Fuselage diameter
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
Wing span
35 ft 1 in 10.70 m 35 ft 1 in 10.70 m -13%
Baggage volume
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
Boeing F/A-18 Hornet
Cabin width
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
Cabin height
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
Cabin length
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
Exterior length
56 ft 1 in 17.10 m 56 ft 1 in 17.10 m +9%
Tail height
15 ft 5 in 4.70 m 15 ft 5 in 4.70 m +5%
Fuselage diameter
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m
Wing span
40 ft 4 in 12.30 m 40 ft 4 in 12.30 m +15%
Baggage volume
0 ft 0 in 0.00 m 0 ft 0 in 0.00 m

Weights

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Max payload
18,000 lb 8,150 kg 18,000 lb 8,150 kg +17%
Fuel capacity
2,760 gal 10,448 L 2,760 gal 10,448 L +5%
Max takeoff weight
70,000 lb 31,800 kg 70,000 lb 31,800 kg +35%
Boeing F/A-18 Hornet
Max payload
15,400 lb 7,000 kg 15,400 lb 7,000 kg -14%
Fuel capacity
2,625 gal 9,937 L 2,625 gal 9,937 L -5%
Max takeoff weight
52,000 lb 23,600 kg 52,000 lb 23,600 kg -26%

Performance

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Max cruise speed
1,043 kt · 1,200 mph 1,932 km/h 1,043 kt 1,200 mph 1,932 km/h +1%
Approach speed
250 kt · 288 mph 463 km/h 250 kt 288 mph 463 km/h +61%
Rate of climb
40,000 ft/min 203 m/s 40,000 ft/min 203 m/s -11%
Range
1,500 nm · 1,730 mi 2,780 km 1,500 nm 1,730 mi 2,780 km -17%
Service ceiling
65,000 ft 19,800 m 65,000 ft 19,800 m +30%
Takeoff distance
550 ft 170 m 550 ft 170 m -63%
Landing distance
700 ft 210 m 700 ft 210 m -47%
Boeing F/A-18 Hornet
Max cruise speed
1,034 kt · 1,190 mph 1,915 km/h 1,034 kt 1,190 mph 1,915 km/h -1%
Approach speed
155 kt · 178 mph 287 km/h 155 kt 178 mph 287 km/h -38%
Rate of climb
45,000 ft/min 229 m/s 45,000 ft/min 229 m/s +13%
Range
1,800 nm · 2,070 mi 3,330 km 1,800 nm 2,070 mi 3,330 km +20%
Service ceiling
50,000 ft 15,200 m 50,000 ft 15,200 m -23%
Takeoff distance
1,500 ft 460 m 1,500 ft 460 m +172%
Landing distance
1,310 ft 400 m 1,310 ft 400 m +88%

The F-35 and the F-18 are both high-end fighter jets. They are used for a variety of purposes, including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance. So which one is better? In this article, we will compare the features and specs of these two aircraft to see which one comes out on top!

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

The F-35 aircraft is a state-of-the-art fighter jet that has been designed for air superiority and ground attack. The F-35 has many advanced features that make it the world’s most technologically advanced fighter jet. Some of these features include stealth technology, a high degree of maneuverability, and a variety of sensors and weaponry. The F-35’s stealth technology makes it hard for enemy radar to detect it, which gives it a significant advantage in combat. The F-35 is also highly maneuverable, meaning that it can change direction quickly and effortlessly in midair.

Why was the F-35 designed & developed?

The F-35 aircraft was built and developed for a variety of reasons. chief among them was the need for a new generation of fighter jets that could meet the challenges of the modern battlefield. The F-35 is designed to be an “all-in-one” fighter jet, capable of performing a wide range of mission types.

It can take off and land vertically, like a helicopter, making it ideal for operating in urban areas or other places where space is limited. It also has some features that make it stealthy, meaning it can evade detection by enemy radar.

What purpose does the F-35 serve?

The F-35 aircraft is a multirole fighter that serves several purposes in the military. Its primary role is to provide air support for ground troops, but it can also be used for air-to-air combat and reconnaissance missions. The F-35 is equipped with a variety of sensors and weapons that make it versatile and effective in a variety of situations.

The F-35 has several unique features that make it an essential part of the military. For example, its advanced sensors allow it to gather critical information about the battlefield and relay it back to commanders.

Additionally, its stealth technology makes it difficult for enemy forces to detect and track the F-35, making it a valuable asset in combat situations. Finally, the F-35’s advanced weapons systems give it the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously, making it an invaluable asset in any military engagement.

Boeing F/A-18 Hornet

The F-18 is a twin-engine, all-weather fighter aircraft designed for both ground attack and air superiority missions. It first flew in 1978 and entered service with the U.S. Navy in 1983. The F-18 has since been adopted by the air forces of several other nations, including Canada, Australia, Kuwait, and Malaysia. The F-18 is powered by two General Electric F404 turbofan engines, each capable of generating up to 20,000 pounds of thrust.

The F-18 has a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 (1,190 miles per hour) and a range of 1,860 miles. Its wingspan is 40 feet and its length is 56 feet. The F-18 is armed with various weapons, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and bombs. It can also carry nuclear weapons.

Why was the F-18 designed?

The F-18 aircraft was built and developed for a variety of reasons. First, it was designed to be an all-weather fighter that could operate in both day and night conditions. Additionally, it was created to have a high degree of agility, making it ideal for close air support missions. The F-18 also had superior range and endurance compared to other fighters at the time, which made it ideal for long-range missions.

Finally, the F-18 was equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and weapons systems, making it one of the most advanced fighters in the world. All of these factors combined to make the F-18 one of the most versatile and effective fighter jets ever built.

What purpose does the F-18 serve?

The F-18 aircraft is a versatile fighter jet that serves multiple purposes in the military. It can be used for air-to-air combat, air-to-ground attacks, and reconnaissance missions. The F-18 is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including an advanced radar system and a helmet-mounted display. This allows pilots to have a clear view of the enemy aircraft and target them more easily.

The F-18 also has a variety of air-to-ground weapons, including bombs and missiles. This makes it an effective tool for attacking ground targets. In addition, the F-18 is equipped with powerful engines that allow it to take off and land on short airstrips.

Differences between the F-35 & F-18

F-18 and F-35 are two of the most popular fighter jets in the world. They are both highly maneuverable and can exceed the speed of sound. However, there are a few key differences between the two jets. The F-35 is a stealth aircraft, meaning it is designed to be less visible to radar. It also has a more advanced avionics system, which gives it a greater degree of situational awareness. In terms of weapons, the F-35 can carry a wider variety of bombs and missiles than the F-18. Finally, the F-35 has a shorter takeoff distance than the F-18, making it better suited for operating from small airfields. Overall, both jets are impressive feats of engineering, but the F-35 is the more advanced aircraft.

Similarities between the F-35 & F-18

F-18 and F-35 are two military fighter jets that have several similarities. They are both designed for air-to-air combat and can reach speeds of Mach 1.6. They are also both equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and weapons systems. However, there are some important differences between the two jets. The F-35 is a fifth-generation jet, while the F-18 is a fourth-generation jet. This means that the F-35 is more advanced, with better sensors and stealth capabilities. The F-35 also has a higher service ceiling and longer range than the F-18.

F-35: What’s Better

The F-35 is better than the F-18 for some reasons. First, the F-35 has a more powerful engine. This gives it superior performance in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. Second, the F-35 has a more sophisticated radar system. This allows it to track and engage multiple targets at the same time. Third, the F-35 has a larger weapons payload. This makes it more effective in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. Finally, the F-35 is equipped with night vision capabilities.

This makes it ideal for conducting night operations. In short, the F-35 is a more versatile and capable fighter jet than the F-18.

F-18: What’s Better

The F-18 is a versatile, all-weather aircraft that can be used for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It is also cheaper to operate than the F-35. The F-35, on the other hand, is designed specifically for air-to-air combat and is not as effective in air-to-ground missions. It is also more expensive to maintain and operate than the F-18. However, the F-35’s stealth capabilities make it a crucial asset in modern warfare.

Ultimately, both the F-18 and F-35 have their own strengths and weaknesses, and it is up to each individual military to decide which plane is best suited for their needs.

Conclusion: F-35 vs F-18

The F-35 is a better aircraft than the F-18. It has a more powerful engine, better sensors, and a larger weapons payload. It is also equipped with night vision capabilities. However, the F-18 is cheaper to operate and can be used for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Ultimately, it is up to each individual military to decide which plane is best suited for their needs.