Most of the information in this fact sheet was obtained from the US Navy site. All information is general and not varient specific. If you find some wrong information, or can add anything please e-mail me.

Description
The F/A-18 Hornet is a single and two-seat, twin-engine tactical aircraft. It is the first tactical aircraft designed from its inception to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

History and Features
The F/A-18 evolved from the Northrup YF-17, which was rejected by the US Air Force. The F/A-18 Hornet first flew in 1978, but did not enter service untill 1983 with the US Navy.

The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987 incorporating provisions for employing updated missiles and jamming devices against enemy ordnance. C and D models delivered since 1989 also include an improved night attack capability. The newest models, the E and F were rolled out at McDonnell Douglas on Sept. 17, 1995. The E is a single seat while the F is a two-seater.

Since the F/A-18 Hornet entered service with the Navy is has become the Marine Corps' premier attack aircraft supporting its ground forces. Canada was the first internatial customer for the F/A-18 and over 100 were delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Along with Canada the F/A-18 has been exported to many other counties allied with the USA.

The F/A-18 demonstrated its capabilities and versatility during Operation Desert Storm, shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently bombing enemy targets with the same aircraft on the same mission, and breaking all records for tactical aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability. Recently the F/A-18 was used in Operation Allied Force by the US Navy and by the Canadian Air Force in support of NATO operations.

General Characteristics
Primary function: Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft
Contractor: McDonnell Douglas Corp.
Power plant: Two F404-GE-402 enhanced performance turbofan engines
Thrust: 17,700 pounds (8,027 kg) static thrust per engine
Wing span: 40.4 ft (12.3 m)
Length: 56 ft (17.1 m)
Height: 15.3 ft (4.7 m)
Speed: 1,190 mph (Mach 1.8)
Maximum takeoff weight: 51,900 pounds (23,537 kg)
Ceiling: 50,000 feet
Range: 2,071 miles (1,800 nautical miles)
Crew: F/A-18C: one. F/A-18D: two
Armament: One M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon; External payload: AIM 9 Sidewinder, AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon, Harm, Shrike, SLAM, SLAM-ER, Walleye, Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW); Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); various general purpose bombs, mines and rockets
Unit Cost: $24 million
Date deployed: 1983