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F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet vs JF-17 Thunder

Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇺🇸 F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet
CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇨🇳🇵🇰 JF-17 Thunder
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Specifications
F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet JF-17 Thunder
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States 🇨🇳 China🇵🇰 Pakistan
Category Combat Aircraft Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer Boeing CAC/PAC
First flight 29 November 1995 25 August 2003
Year introduced 2001 2007
Number produced 632 units 144 units
Average unit price $70 million $30 million
Wing area 46.5 m² 24.4 m²
Wingspan 13.6 m 9.0 m
Height 4.9 m 4.8 m
Length 18.3 m 14.0 m
Maximum speed 1915 km/h 1960 km/h
Operational range 2,346 km 900 km
Service ceiling 15,940 m 16,700 m
Max. takeoff weight 29,900 kg 12,701 kg
Empty weight 14,550 kg 6,411 kg
Total thrust 2 x 9,979 kgf 1 x 5,097 kgf
Performance Radar Chart

Overview

The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and the JF-17 Thunder are both Combat Aircraft, manufactured by Boeing and CAC/PAC respectively.

Top speed is 1,915 km/h for the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet vs 1,960 km/h for the JF-17 Thunder. The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet has an operational range of 2,346 km vs 900 km for the JF-17 Thunder. The JF-17 Thunder operates at altitudes up to 16,700 m compared to 15,940 m for the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet. At 29,900 kg MTOW, the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet is 2.4x the JF-17 Thunder's 12,701 kg.

The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet has been produced in 632 units vs 144 for the JF-17 Thunder. Unit cost is $70M for the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet vs $30M for the JF-17 Thunder. The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet first flew 8 years before the JF-17 Thunder (1995 vs 2003).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet or JF-17 Thunder?
The JF-17 Thunder is faster with a maximum speed of 1,960 km/h compared to the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet's 1,915 km/h, a difference of 45 km/h.
Which has longer range, the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet or JF-17 Thunder?
The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet has a longer range at 2,346 km compared to the JF-17 Thunder's 900 km.
Which can fly higher, the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet or JF-17 Thunder?
The JF-17 Thunder has a higher service ceiling at 16,700 meters (54,790 ft) compared to the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet's 15,940 meters (52,296 ft).
Which is heavier, the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet or JF-17 Thunder?
The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 29,900 kg compared to the JF-17 Thunder's 12,701 kg.
Which is larger, the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet or JF-17 Thunder?
The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet is longer at 18.3 meters compared to the JF-17 Thunder's 14.0 meters.
Which is more expensive, the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet or JF-17 Thunder?
The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet is more expensive at approximately $70 million per unit compared to the JF-17 Thunder at $30 million.
Which entered service first, the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet or JF-17 Thunder?
The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet entered service first in 2001, 6 years before the JF-17 Thunder which entered service in 2007.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet or JF-17 Thunder?
The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet has been produced in greater numbers with 632 units compared to 144 units of the JF-17 Thunder.