History:
The F/A-18C Hornet is a single-seat, twin engine, multi-mission fighter/attack aircraft that can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases. It was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air support without compromising its fighter capabilities. The F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather aircraft and used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support.
The F/A-18 has a digital control-by-wire flight control system which provides excellent handling qualities. This system provides exceptional maneuverability and allows the pilot to concentrate on operating the weapons system. A solid thrust-to-weight ratio and superior turn characteristics combined with energy sustainability, enable the F/A-18 to hold its own against any adversary. Following a successful run of more than 400 A and B models, the US Navy began taking fleet deliveries of improved F/A-18C (single seat) and F/A-18D (dual seat) models in September 1987. These Hornets carry the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and the infrared imaging Maverick air-to-ground missile. Two years later, the C/D models came with improved night attack capabilities. The new components included a navigation forward looking infrared (NAVFLIR) pod, a raster head-up display, night vision goggles, special cockpit lighting compatible with the night vision devices, a digital color moving map and an independent multipurpose color display. F/A-18Cs have synthetic aperture ground mapping radar with a doppler beam sharpening mode to generate ground maps. This ground mapping capability that permits crews to locate and attack targets in adverse weather and poor visibility or to precisely update the aircraft's location relative to targets during the approach, a capability that improves bombing accuracy. New production F/A-18Cs received the APG-73 radar upgrade starting in 1994, providing more precise and clear radar displays.
|
| Function: | Multi-role attack and fighter aircraft |
| Dimensions (wingspan/length/height): | 13.5 m / 16.8 m / 4.6 m |
| Weight: | 10,455 kg empty; 23,537 kg max. takeoff weight |
| Engines: | 2 x F404-GE-402 enhanced performance turbofan engines with 78,73 kN thrust each |
| Max. speed: | Mach 1.7 + |
| Range: | 2000 km |
| Ceiling: | 15.240 m |
| Armament: | 1 x M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon, combination of: AIM 9 Sidewinder, AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon, Harm, SLAM, SLAM-ER, Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW); Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); various general purpose bombs, mines and rockets |
| Crew: | 1 |
| Manufacturer: | McDonnell Douglas Corp.; USA |
Screenshots
Deutsch
English
