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F/A-18F Super Hornet

F/A-18F Super Hornet

Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet equipped for long-range strike operations with AGM-158 family missiles

Manufacturer: Boeing
Category: Fighter Jets
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Generation 4.5th
Maximum Speed Mach 1.8+
No. of Engines 2
Radar Range AN/APG-79 AESA

Defense Systems Full Specifications

General Information

Name	F/A-18F Super Hornet
Manufacturer	Boeing, originally McDonnell Douglas
Country of Origin	United States
Type / Role	Carrier-based multirole strike fighter
Generation	4.5-generation class
Status	Operational
First Flight	November 1995
Introduction / In Service Since	1999 fleet service, 2001 IOC
Number Built	More than 600 E/F aircraft produced
Operators	United States, Australia, Kuwait

Dimensions & Structure

Length	60.3 ft (18.5 m)
Wingspan	44.9 ft (13.68 m)
Height	16 ft (4.87 m)
Wing Area	Approximately 500 sq ft
Empty Weight	Approximately 32,000 lb
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	66,000 lb (29,932 kg)
Internal Weapons Bay	No
External Hardpoints	11

Performance

Maximum Speed	Mach 1.8+
Range	1,660 nmi ferry
Combat Radius	Mission dependent
Service Ceiling	50,000+ ft
Rate of Climb	Not publicly specified
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio	Configuration dependent
G Limits	+7.5 G class

Powerplant

Engine Type	General Electric F414-GE-400 afterburning turbofan
No. of Engines	2
Thrust (each)	22,000 lb static thrust
Thrust Vectoring	No
Fuel Capacity	Approximately 14,400 lb internal

Armament

Gun	M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20 mm cannon
Missiles (Air-to-Air)	AIM-9, AIM-9X, AIM-120, AIM-174B
Missiles (Air-to-Ground)	HARM, Harpoon, Maverick, SLAM-ER and others
Bombs	JDAM, JSOW, Paveway, SDB II and general-purpose bombs
Hardpoints	11
Payload Capacity	Up to approximately 17,750 lb class

Avionics & Systems

Radar	AN/APG-79 AESA
Radar Range	Classified / not publicly disclosed
Electronic Warfare (EW) System	Integrated defensive electronic warfare suite
Targeting System	ATFLIR and other targeting systems
Helmet Display	Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System
Navigation	INS/GPS and carrier navigation systems
Autopilot / AI Assistance	Digital flight-control and mission computers
Communication	Secure tactical datalinks and voice communications

Stealth & Technology

Radar Cross Section (RCS)	Reduced compared with earlier Hornet
Stealth Features	Reduced-signature shaping and treatments
Infrared Signature Reduction	Limited, non-stealth design
Sensor Fusion	Integrated mission sensors and processors
Networking Capabilities	Tactical networking and distributed targeting

Variants

Special Export Versions

EA-18G Growler

Operational History

Major Conflicts / Deployments	Iraq, Afghanistan and later Middle East operations
Notable Operators	U.S. Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Kuwait Air Force
Combat Proven?	Yes
Mission Types	Air superiority, strike, escort, CAS, SEAD, reconnaissance, tanker and maritime strike

Cost & Program

Unit Cost	$67.4 million, FY2021 figure
Development Cost	Program R&D exceeded $6 billion in early GAO estimates
Program Name	F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
Funding Countries	Primarily United States, with foreign procurement by partner nations

Additional Information

Upgrades Planned	Block III, service-life modification and sensor upgrades
Future Replacement	U.S. Navy F/A-XX program
Export Restrictions	U.S. government export controls apply
Notable Achievements	Long-serving carrier strike fighter and backbone of U.S. Navy carrier air wings
Competitors	F-35C, Rafale M, J-15, MiG-29K

Our Rating

The overall rating is based on review by our experts

Technology 9 / 10
Performance 8 / 10
Firepower 7 / 10
Reliability & Maintenance 8 / 10

PROS

Proven carrier-based multirole capability
Two-seat configuration supports complex missions
Powerful AESA radar and modern sensors
Broad precision-weapons compatibility
Block III upgrades extend service life

CONS

Not a fifth-generation stealth fighter
External weapons increase radar signature
Lower survivability than newer stealth aircraft
High carrier-operating and maintenance demands
Being replaced by future-generation Navy aircraft

F/A-18F Super Hornet: U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Fighter

The F/A-18F Super Hornet is the two-seat variant of Boeing’s carrier-based F/A-18E/F multirole strike fighter. Designed for the U.S. Navy, the aircraft combines air-to-air combat, precision strike, reconnaissance, close air support, maritime attack, air defense suppression and aerial refueling capabilities. Unlike the single-seat F/A-18E, the F model carries two crew members, allowing the second aircrew member to manage sensors, weapons and mission systems during complex operations.

Manufacturer

The aircraft was developed by McDonnell Douglas and is now produced and supported by Boeing. The first F/A-18E/F flew in November 1995, while the Super Hornet achieved initial operational capability in September 2001. It entered fleet service as the successor to the F-14 Tomcat and expanded the carrier air wing’s multirole capability.

Speed and Range

The F/A-18F can exceed Mach 1.8 and operate above 50,000 feet. NAVAIR lists a combat range of approximately 1,275 nautical miles (2,346 km) and a ferry range of 1,660 nautical miles (3,054 km) under specified configurations. Its two General Electric F414-GE-400 engines provide approximately 22,000 pounds of static thrust each.

Cost and Price

NAVAIR lists a historical unit cost of $67.4 million in FY2021 dollars for the F/A-18E/F. Current procurement or upgrade costs vary by configuration, contract, equipment and modernization package.

The aircraft uses the AN/APG-79 AESA radar, advanced targeting systems, electronic warfare equipment and networked mission systems. Block III upgrades add reduced radar signature, improved cockpit displays, enhanced computing and expanded networking.

Variants

Variant	Description
F/A-18E	Single-seat Super Hornet
F/A-18F	Two-seat Super Hornet
F/A-18E/F Block II	AESA radar and upgraded mission systems
F/A-18E/F Block III	Extended service life, improved cockpit, networking and reduced radar signature
EA-18G Growler	Specialized electronic-attack derivative

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