Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet

Summary

Description

The Super Hornet's development traces back to the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, derived from the Northrop YF-17 "Cobra" prototype of the 1970s. The Hornet's limited combat radius spurred the concept of an enlarged variant in the 1980s, initially dubbed "Hornet 2000". The cancellation of the A-12 Avenger II attack aircraft program led the U.S. Navy to consider updating existing designs, further boosting the Super Hornet's prospects, especially after the A/F-X was also canceled due to budget reductions. The Navy saw the Super Hornet as an alternative with incremental improvements. The Super Hornet design was chosen as a replacement for the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. McDonnell Douglas, later Boeing after a merger, designed and produced the forward fuselage, wings, and stabilators, while Northrop Grumman manufactured the center/aft fuselage and vertical tails. The Super Hornet first flew on 29 November 1995. Low-rate production commenced in early 1997, with full-rate production beginning in September 1997.

The Super Hornet is approximately 20% larger than the original Hornet, with an empty weight 7,000 lb (3,200 kg) heavier and a maximum weight 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) heavier. While the forward fuselage remains unchanged, the rest of the airframe shares little with earlier F/A-18C/D models; the fuselage was stretched by 34 in (86 cm) to accommodate more fuel and future avionics upgrades, and the wing area was increased by 25%. The Super Hornet has 42% fewer structural parts than the original Hornet. The wings incorporate a dogtooth extension and a porous surface strip at the folding joint. Significant aerodynamic changes include enlarged leading-edge extensions (LEX) to improve vortex lifting during high angle of attack maneuvers and reduce the static stability margin, enhancing pitching characteristics, resulting in pitch rates exceeding 40 degrees per second. All underwing pylons are canted outwards slightly. Radar signature reduction measures include a combination of reduced radar cross-section (RCS) improvements, advanced electronic warfare capabilities, reduced ballistic vulnerability, and increased use of standoff weapons. Design features such as caret engine inlets with fixed ramps, panel joint serration, edge alignment, and perforated panels covering accessory exhaust and inlet ducts contribute to reducing the aircraft’s RCS, especially from the front and rear. Initially, the Super Hornet’s avionics and software had 90% commonality with the F/A-18C/D fleet at the time, with upgrades introduced in successive blocks.

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is equipped with an internal 20mm M61A2 rotary cannon. For air-to-air missions, it can carry a combination of AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-7 Sparrow, and AIM-174B missiles. The Super Hornet's air-to-surface capabilities include AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-154 JSOW, AGM-158 JASSM, and AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER missiles, alongside Joint Strike Missiles. It can also deploy JDAM, Paveway laser-guided bombs, Mk 80 series unguided bombs, cluster bombs, and naval mines. The aircraft's 11 hardpoints—two on the wingtips, six under the wings, and three under the fuselage—enable a maximum payload of 17,750 lb (8,050 kg). The carrier bringback payload is 9,900 lb (4,491 kg) for the F/A-18E and 9,000 lb (4,082 kg) for the F/A-18F. The Super Hornet can also be outfitted with up to four 480-gallon drop tanks for extended range and an A/A42R-1 Aerial Refueling Store pod for aerial refueling duties.

The Super Hornet entered operational service with the United States Navy in 2001, superseding the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, which was retired in 2006, though serving alongside the original Hornet as well. Extensively used in combat operations in the Middle East, the F/A-18E/F has participated in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and also against Islamic State and Assad-aligned forces in Syria. Beyond the U.S. Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) ordered the F/A-18F in 2007 to replace its aging General Dynamics F-111C fleet; the RAAF had operated the F/A-18A as its main fighter since 1984. The RAAF Super Hornets entered service in December 2010. Operational characteristics of the Super Hornet include its versatility in undertaking both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, its avionics, and its ability to operate from aircraft carriers with a substantial bringback capacity.

Main Variants:

• The single-seat variant primarily configured for strike and fighter roles.

• The two-seat variant accommodates a pilot and a weapon systems officer (WSO), enhancing capabilities in complex missions.

• Two F/A-18Fs modified as prototypes of the EA-18G Growler.

• An electronic warfare variant of the F/A-18F, replacing the U.S. Navy's Grumman EA-6B Prowler in the electronic attack role.

• A further development of the F/A-18E/F incorporating features like reduced radar cross section, an optional stealthy enclosed weapons pod, and a built-in IRST21 sensor system, with elements integrated into Block III upgrades.

Technical specifications

Current operating countries

No country is operating the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet in 2025.

All operators

Australia • United States

Armament

Missiles payload:

• Air-to-Surface AGM-65 Maverick
• Air-to-Surface AGM-84 Harpoon
• Anti-Radiation AGM-88 HARM
• Air-to-Air Medium-Range AIM-7 Sparrow
• Air-to-Air Medium-Range AIM-120 AMRAAM
• Air-to-Surface Raytheon AGM-154 JSOW
• Air-to-Air Short-Range Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder

Bombs payload:

• Cluster Aerojet CBU-78/B Gator
• Cluster Aerojet CBU-87/B CEM
• Thermonuclear Livermore B83
• Cluster Mk 20 Mod 0 Rockeye
• Cluster Textron CBU-97/B SFW

Photo of F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet