Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is an American twin-engine carrier-based multirole fighter. It replaced several older aircraft aboard United States Navy carriers and is substantially larger than the earlier F/A-18 Hornet.[1]
Development
McDonnell Douglas developed the Super Hornet as an enlarged and extensively redesigned evolution of the Hornet. The single-seat F/A-18E and two-seat F/A-18F first flew in 1995 and entered US Navy service at the end of the decade.
Although the two generations share a name and broad layout, the Super Hornet has a larger wing and fuselage, greater fuel capacity, different engines and revised intakes. Boeing inherited the programme after merging with McDonnell Douglas.[2]
Design
The aircraft is built for catapult launches, arrested landings and the demanding conditions of carrier service. Folding wingtips reduce its footprint aboard ship, and a strengthened undercarriage and arresting hook absorb deck operations.
Eleven weapon stations support air combat, strike, anti-ship and aerial-refuelling missions. Later blocks use active electronically scanned array radar, improved networking, upgraded displays and enhanced infrared and defensive systems.
Operational history
Super Hornets have been the principal strike fighters on US Navy aircraft carriers and have flown combat operations over Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and other theatres. They also serve as airborne tankers for carrier air wings.
Australia operates the F/A-18F, and Kuwait has acquired the E and F. The related EA-18G Growler provides carrier-compatible electronic attack.
Variants and operators
The aircraft family includes F/A-18E; F/A-18F; EA-18G Growler. Equipment, weapons and mission systems differ among production blocks and national fleets.
Principal or notable users include United States Navy; Royal Australian Air Force; Kuwait Air Force. Some operators have retired early versions while others continue upgrades or new procurement.[1]
Specifications
Published performance figures depend on configuration, fuel, altitude and mission profile. Representative figures for the family include a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and a range of 1,275 nmi (2,346 km) ferry range. The usual crew is 1 in F/A-18E; 2 in F/A-18F, and power is provided by 2 × General Electric F414-GE-400 afterburning turbofans.[1]