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Spanish EF-18 Hornet Fighter

Spanish EF-18 Hornet Fighter

Manufacturer: Boeing
Category: Fighter Jets
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Generation 4th
Maximum Speed Mach 1.8
No. of Engines 2
Radar Range Medium (AN/APG-65 series)

Defense Systems Full Specifications

General Information

Name	EF-18 Hornet (C.15 / CE.15)
Manufacturer	McDonnell Douglas (Boeing)
Country of Origin	United States
Type / Role	Multirole fighter
Generation	4th
Status	In service
First Flight	18 November 1978
Introduction / In Service Since	1986 (Spain)
Number Built	72 new + 24 second-hand (Spanish fleet)
Operators	Spanish Air and Space Force

Dimensions & Structure

Length	17.07 m (56 ft)
Wingspan	11.43 m (37.5 ft)
Height	4.66–4.67 m (15.3 ft)
Wing Area	~37.2 m²
Empty Weight	~10,455–12,701 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	23,541–25,400 kg
Internal Weapons Bay	None
External Hardpoints	9

Performance

Maximum Speed	Mach 1.8
Range	~2,000 km (ferry ~3,700 km)
Combat Radius	~780 km
Service Ceiling	15,240 m (50,000 ft)
Rate of Climb	~254 m/s
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio	Approximately 0.9–1.0
G Limits	+7.5 / –3.0 (typical)

Powerplant

Engine Type	General Electric F404 turbofan
No. of Engines	2
Thrust (each)	~16,000–17,750 lbf with afterburner
Thrust Vectoring	No
Fuel Capacity	~4,926 kg internal

Armament

Gun	1 × M61A1 20 mm Vulcan
Missiles (Air-to-Air)	AIM-9, AIM-7, AIM-120, IRIS-T
Missiles (Air-to-Ground)	AGM-65, AGM-84, AGM-88, Taurus KEPD 350
Bombs	Mk 80 series, GBU-10/16/24/48, cluster bombs
Hardpoints	9
Payload Capacity	Up to 7,700 kg

Avionics & Systems

Radar	AN/APG-65 (upgraded V3)
Radar Range	Medium
Electronic Warfare (EW) System	ALQ-126B / ALQ-162, ALR-67
Targeting System	LITENING pod
Helmet Display	Scorpion (upgraded aircraft)
Navigation	Inertial + GPS
Autopilot / AI Assistance	Standard digital flight controls
Communication	Secure voice and data links

Stealth & Technology

Radar Cross Section (RCS)	Conventional
Stealth Features	Limited
Infrared Signature Reduction	Basic
Sensor Fusion	Partial (upgraded models)
Networking Capabilities	Link-16 compatible upgrades

Variants

Special Export Versions

Spanish-specific upgrades (IRIS-T, Taurus)

Operational History

Major Conflicts / Deployments	Bosnia, Kosovo (NATO)
Notable Operators	Spanish Air and Space Force
Combat Proven?	Yes
Mission Types	Air defense, strike, SEAD, maritime support

Cost & Program

Unit Cost	~$29–41 million (historical)
Development Cost	Part of U.S. Hornet program
Program Name	FACA (Spain)
Funding Countries	Spain

Additional Information

Upgrades Planned	Continued software and weapons integration
Future Replacement	Eurofighter Typhoon (partial), potential F-35 or additional Typhoons
Export Restrictions	U.S. export controls apply
Notable Achievements	Long-serving Spanish combat aircraft
Competitors	Eurofighter Typhoon, F-16, Rafale

Our Rating

The overall rating is based on review by our experts

7.8

Technology 8 / 10
Performance 7 / 10
Firepower 8 / 10
Reliability & Maintenance 8 / 10

PROS

Twin-engine design enhances safety and survivability
Proven multirole flexibility for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions
Extensive Spanish upgrades improved avionics and weapons compatibility
Combat-proven in NATO operations (Bosnia, Kosovo)
Good payload capacity (up to 7,700 kg) and aerial refueling capability

CONS

4th-generation airframe lacks advanced stealth features
Aging fleet approaching end of service life (planned retirement around 2030–2035)
Limited radar cross-section reduction compared with 5th-generation fighters
Relatively modest combat radius without external tanks or tanker support
Higher maintenance demands as airframes accumulate flight hours

Spanish EF-18 Hornet Multirole Fighter

The Spanish EF-18 Hornet, locally designated C.15, remains a cornerstone of Spain’s air combat capability more than three decades after entering service. Derived from the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A/B, this twin-engine multirole fighter delivers reliable performance in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions for the Spanish Air and Space Force.

Manufacturer and Origin

Built by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) in the United States, the EF-18 was selected under Spain’s FACA program in 1983. Spain acquired 72 new aircraft (60 single-seat EF-18A and 12 two-seat EF-18B) delivered between 1986 and 1990, later supplemented by 24 ex-U.S. Navy F/A-18A airframes upgraded to EF-18A+ standard. Spanish industry, including EADS CASA and Indra, performed extensive mid-life upgrades that brought the fleet closer to F/A-18C/D capability.

Speed, Range, and Performance

Powered by two General Electric F404-GE-400 or -402 afterburning turbofans, the EF-18 reaches a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 at altitude. Combat radius is approximately 780 km (about 485 miles), with a ferry range of roughly 3,700 km when fitted with external tanks. Service ceiling is 15,240 m (50,000 ft). The aircraft features nine external hardpoints and can carry up to 7,700 kg of ordnance.

Cost and Operational Role

The original Spanish program was valued at approximately $3 billion (1980s dollars), equating to roughly $41 million per aircraft at the time. No longer in production, unit costs for comparable legacy Hornets historically ranged near $29–35 million in later figures.

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Spanish EF-18s have flown combat missions over Bosnia and Kosovo under NATO command and continue to perform air-defense, interception, strike, SEAD, and maritime support roles. Upgraded EF-18M variants incorporate improved radar (AN/APG-65 V3), IRIS-T missiles, Taurus cruise missiles, and modern targeting pods, ensuring the type remains effective until planned replacement by additional Eurofighters or other platforms in the 2030s.

Variants

Field	Description
EF-18A / C.15	Single-seat
EF-18B / CE.15	Two-seat trainer/combat
EF-18A+ / EF-18M	Upgraded single-seat
Special Export Versions	Spanish-specific upgrades (IRIS-T, Taurus)

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