McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet

Origins The United States Navy started the Naval Fighter-Attack, Experimental (VFAX) program to procure a multirole aircraft to replace the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, the A-7 Corsair II, and the remaining McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs, and to complement the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. Vice Admiral Kent Lee, then head of Naval Air Systems Command, was the lead advocate for the VFAX against strong opposition from many Navy officers, including Vice Admiral William D. Houser, deputy chief of naval operations for air warfare – the highest-ranking naval aviator. In August 1973, Congress mandated that the Navy pursue a lower-cost alternative to the F-14. Grumman proposed a stripped F-14 designated the F-14X, while McDonnell Douglas proposed a naval variant of the F-15, but both were nearly as expensive as the F-14. The Air Force competition specified a day fighter with no strike capability. In May 1974, the House Armed Services Committee redirected $34 million from the VFAX to a new program, the Navy Air Combat Fighter (NACF), Since the LWF did not share the design requirements of the VFAX, the Navy asked McDonnell Douglas and Northrop to develop a new aircraft from the design and principles of the YF-17. On 1 March 1977, Secretary of the Navy W. Graham Claytor announced, that the F-18 would be named "Hornet", after the characteristics of the Hornet insect. It also shares the namesake with ships that had borne the name since the Revolutionary War. was developed into the carrier-capable F/A-18. Northrop had partnered with McDonnell Douglas as a secondary contractor on NACF to capitalize on the latter's experience in building carrier aircraft, including the widely used F-4 Phantom II. On the F-18, the two companies agreed to evenly split component manufacturing, with McDonnell Douglas conducting the final assembly. McDonnell Douglas would build the wings, stabilators, and forward fuselage. While Northrop would build the center and aft fuselage and vertical stabilizers. McDonnell Douglas was the prime contractor for the naval versions, and Northrop would be the prime contractor for the F-18L land-based version which Northrop hoped to sell on the export market. The partnership between McDonnell Douglas and Northrop soured over competition for foreign sales for the two models. Northrop felt that McDonnell Douglas would put the F/A-18 in direct competition with the F-18L. In October 1979, Northrop filed a series of lawsuits charging that McDonnell was using Northrop technology developed for the F-18L for foreign sales of the F/A-18 in violation of their agreement, and asked for a moratorium on foreign sales of the Hornet. McDonnell Douglas countersued, alleging Northrop illegally used F/A-18 technology in its F-20 Tigershark. A settlement was announced 8 April 1985 for all of the lawsuits. McDonnell Douglas paid Northrop $50 million for "rights to sell the F/A-18 wherever it could". At the time of the settlement, Northrop had ceased work on the F-18L. Most export orders for the F-18L were captured by the F-16 or the F/A-18. Into production During flight testing, the snag on the leading edge of the stabilators was filled in, and the gap between the leading-edge extensions (LEX) and the fuselage was mostly filled in. The gaps, called the boundary layer air discharge slots, controlled the vortices generated by the LEX and presented clean air to the vertical stabilizers at high angles of attack, but they also generated a great deal of parasitic drag, worsening the problem of the F/A-18's inadequate range. McDonnell filled in 80% of the gap, leaving a small slot to bleed air from the engine intake. This may have contributed to early problems with fatigue cracks appearing on the vertical stabilizers due to extreme structural loads, resulting in a short grounding in 1984 until the stabilizers were strengthened. Starting in May 1988, a small vertical fence was added to the top of each LEX to broaden the vortices and direct them away from the vertical stabilizers. This also provided a minor increase in controllability as a side effect. To answer this deficiency, the Navy commissioned development of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Despite its designation, it is not just an upgrade of the F/A-18 Hornet, but rather, a new, larger airframe using the design concepts of the Hornet. Hornets and Super Hornets will serve complementary roles in the U.S. Navy carrier fleet until the Hornet A-D models are completely replaced by the F-35C Lightning II. Although the airframe was originally designed for service life of 6,000 flight hours, the Marines have chosen to extend the use of certain F/A-18s up to 10,000 flight hours, due to delays in the F-35B variant. End of production Production of the C- and D- models ended in 2000, with the plant transitioning to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. The last F/A-18C was assembled in Finland and delivered to the Finnish Air Force in August 2000. The last F/A-18D was delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps in August 2000. Production of the F/A-18E/F is scheduled to end in 2027. ==Design==

to form at the leading edge extensions.|alt=Jet fighter aircraft is seen against blue sky executing a pull-up, making it nearly vertical with contrail formed aft of the canopy The F/A-18 is a twin engine, midwing, multimission tactical aircraft. It is highly maneuverable, due to its good thrust-to-weight ratio, digital fly-by-wire control system, and leading-edge extensions, which allow the Hornet to remain controllable at high angles of attack. The trapezoidal wing has a 20-degree sweepback on the leading edge and a straight trailing edge. The wing has full-span, leading-edge flaps and the trailing edge has single-slotted flaps and ailerons over the entire span. F/A-18 stabilators were also used as canards on NASA's F-15S/MTD. flight producing flow-induced vapor cone The Hornet was among the first aircraft to heavily use multifunction displays, which at the switch of a button allow a pilot to perform either fighter or attack roles or both. This "force multiplier" ability gives the operational commander more flexibility to employ tactical aircraft in a fast-changing battle scenario. It was the first Navy aircraft to incorporate a digital multiplexing avionics bus, enabling easy upgrades. F/A-18 The Hornet was designed to reduce maintenance, and as a result, has required far less downtime than its heavier counterparts, the F-14 Tomcat and the A-6 Intruder. Its mean time between failures is three times greater than any other Navy strike aircraft, and requires half the maintenance time. The engine air inlets of the Hornet, like those of the F-16, are of a simpler "fixed" pitot-type design, while those of the F-4, F-14, and F-15 have variable geometry or variable intake ramp air inlets. The fixed-geometry design is simpler, lighter, and less maintenance-intensive than variable geometry inlets, at the expense of pressure recovery performance at higher Mach numbers. This was considered a worthwhile tradeoff as the aircraft was designed to primarily operate at subsonic and transonic speeds. A 1989 USMC study found that single-seat fighters were well suited to air-to-air combat missions, while dual-seat fighters were favored for complex strike missions against heavy air and ground defenses in adverse weather—the question being not so much as to whether a second pair of eyes would be useful, but as to having the second crewman sit in the same fighter or in a second fighter. Single-seat fighters that lacked wingmen were shown to be especially vulnerable. ==Operational history==

United States Entry into service in flight, circa 1985 McDonnell Douglas rolled out the first F/A-18A on 13 September 1978, in blue-on-white colors marked with "Navy" on the left and "Marines" on the right. Its first flight was on 18 November. With the exception of VFA-161, the rest would move to NAF Atsugi, Japan to join CVW-5 and the USS Midway. Other squadrons that switched to F/A-18 included VFA-146 "Blue Diamonds", and VFA-147 "Argonauts". The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron switched to the F/A-18 Hornet in 1986, replacing the A-4 Skyhawk. The Blue Angels performed in F/A-18A, B, C, and D models at air shows and other special events across the US and worldwide before transitioning to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in late 2020. Blue Angels pilots must have 1,250 hours and an aircraft-carrier certification. The two-seat B and D models were typically used to give rides to VIPs, but also filled in for other aircraft, if such a need arose. NASA operates several F/A-18 aircraft for research purposes and also as chase aircraft; these F/A-18s are based at the Armstrong Flight Research Center (formerly the Dryden Flight Research Center) in California. NASA received three two-seat F/A-18B aircraft in 2018. On 21 September 2012, two NASA F/A-18s escorted a NASA Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft carrying the Space Shuttle Endeavour over portions of California to Los Angeles International Airport before being delivered to the California Science Center museum in Los Angeles. Combat operations The F/A-18 first saw combat action in April 1986, when VFA-131, VFA-132, VMFA-314, and VMFA-323 Hornets from flew suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) missions against Libyan air defenses during Operation Prairie Fire and an attack on Benghazi as part of Operation El Dorado Canyon. On 17 January, the first day of the war, U.S. Navy pilots Lieutenant Commander Mark I. Fox and, Lieutenant Nick Mongilio were in a flight of four Hornets when they were sent from in the Red Sea to bomb airfield H-3 in southwestern Iraq. While en route, they were warned by an E-2C of approaching "Bandits" or Iraqi MiG-21 aircraft. The Hornets shot down the two MiGs with AIM-7 and AIM-9 missiles in a brief dogfight. Only 40 seconds were needed from when the bandits appeared on the E-2's radar until both aircraft were downed. An unclassified summary of a 2001 CIA report suggests that Speicher's aircraft was shot down by a missile fired from an Iraqi Air Force aircraft, most likely a MiG-25. On 24 January 1991, F/A-18A bureau number 163121, from , piloted by Lt H.E. Overs, was lost due to an engine failure or loss of control over the Persian Gulf. The pilot ejected and was recovered by . On 5 February 1991, F/A-18A bureau number 163096, piloted by Lieutenant Robert Dwyer was lost over the North Persian Gulf after a successful mission to Iraq; he was officially listed as killed in action, body not recovered. As the A-6 Intruder was retired in the 1990s, its role was filled by the F/A-18. The F/A-18 demonstrated its versatility and reliability during Operation Desert Storm, shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently bombing enemy targets with the same aircraft on the same mission. It broke records for tactical aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability. taking off from in 2005|alt=F/A-18 Hornet fighter departing aircraft carrier. A gray aircraft, with blue and yellow fins, has just left the edge of carrier's deck, as evident through the extended landing gear.Both U.S. Navy F/A-18A/C models and Marine F/A-18A/C/D models were used continuously in Operation Southern Watch and over Bosnia and Kosovo in the 1990s. U.S. Navy Hornets flew during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 from carriers operating in the North Arabian Sea. Both the F/A-18A/C and newer F/A-18E/F variants were used during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, operating from aircraft carriers as well from an air base in Kuwait. Later in the conflict USMC A+, C, and primarily D models operated from bases within Iraq. An F/A-18C was accidentally downed in a friendly fire incident by a Patriot missile when a pilot tried to evade two missiles fired at his plane and crashed. Two others collided over Iraq in May 2005. The last operational deployment of the F/A-18C Hornet in U.S. Navy service was aboard the and ended on 12 March 2018. The aircraft briefly went back to sea for routine carrier qualifications in October, but it was retired from active Navy service on 1 February 2019. The type continued to be used by reserve units, primarily for adversary training. The actual final Navy F/A-18C operational flight occurred on 2 October 2019. As of 2024, The United States Marine Corps operated a fleet of 179 F/A-18C and D Hornets, with plans to keep them operational with upgraded radars and electronics until 2030, when they are scheduled to be fully replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. On 25 March 2026, during the ongoing 2026 Iran war, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have shot down a U.S. F-18 near Chabahar in Sistan and Baluchestan province. However, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) formally rejected this claim, calling it "false" and stating no U.S. aircraft were downed. Iranian state media, including Press TV, released alleged video footage on 25-26 March 2026, showing an aircraft being struck, claiming it was an F-18 hit by a new "advanced air defense network". Neutral source suggest that the F-18 was hit but was not shot down. It is not clear whether it was a U.S. Marine F/A-18 Hornet or a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet. Non-U.S. service The F/A-18 has been purchased and is in operation with several foreign air services. Export Hornets are typically similar to U.S. models of a similar manufacture date. Since none of the customers operate aircraft carriers, all export models have been sold without the automatic carrier landing system, and the Royal Australian Air Force further removed the catapult attachment on the nose gear. The F-15 was discounted because the version offered had no ground-attack capability. The F-16 was considered unsuitable largely due to having only one engine. Two aircraft were completed in the US, while the remainder were assembled in Australia at Government Aircraft Factories. F/A-18 deliveries to the RAAF began on 29 October 1984, and continued until May 1990. beginning in 2015. Some of the Australian Hornets subsequently had refits applied to extend their service lives out further to a new planned retirement date of 2020. Australia has also purchased 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets, with deliveries beginning in 2010. In March 2015, six F/A-18As from No. 75 Squadron were deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Okra, replacing a detachment of Super Hornets. Australia has sold 25 F/A-18A/Bs to Canada with first two delivered to RCAF in February 2019. By 2021, 12 (A)F/A-18A and 6 (A)F/A-18B (and an additional 7 disassembled (A)F/A-18 for spare parts) were sold to the RCAF. At Wings Over Illawarra 2021, the Hornet performed its last public flying display before retirement. Australia formally retired the Hornet at RAAF Base Williamtown on 29 November 2021. On 30 November 2021, No. 75 Squadron RAAF flew 7 of the last Hornets from RAAF Base Tindal to RAAF Base Williamtown. On 3 December 2021, the last Hornet left RAAF Base Tindal for decommissioning. Due to inclement weather, the Hornet diverted to RAAF Base Townsville and concluded the final RAAF Hornet flight to RAAF Base Williamtown on 4 December 2021. Canada s.|alt= Canada was the first export customer for the Hornet, replacing the Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (air reconnaissance and strike), the McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo (air interception) and the Canadair CF-116 Freedom Fighter (ground attack). The Canadian Forces Air Command ordered 98 A models (Canadian designation CF-188A/CF-18A) and 40 B models (designation CF-188B/CF-18B). The original CF-18 as delivered was nearly identical to the F/A-18A and B models. Many features that made the F/A-18 suitable for naval carrier operations were retained by the Canadian Forces, such as the robust landing gear, the arrestor hook, and wing folding mechanisms. In 1991, Canada committed 26 CF-18s to the Gulf War, based in Qatar. These aircraft primarily provided Combat Air Patrol duties, although, late in the air war, began to perform air strikes on Iraqi ground targets. On 30 January 1991, two CF-18s on CAP detected and attacked an Iraqi TNC-45 patrol boat. The vessel was repeatedly strafed and damaged by 20mm cannon fire, but an attempt to sink the ship with an air-to-air missile failed. The ship was subsequently sunk by American aircraft, but the Canadian CF-18s received partial credit for its destruction. In June 1999, 18 CF-18s were deployed to Aviano AB, Italy, where they participated in both the air-to-ground and air-to-air roles in the former Yugoslavia. 62 CF-18A and 18 CF-18B aircraft took part in the Incremental Modernization Project which was completed in two phases. The program was launched in 2001 and the last updated aircraft was delivered in March 2010. The aims were to improve air-to-air and air-to-ground combat abilities, upgrade sensors and the defensive suite, and replace the datalinks and communications systems on board the CF-18 from the F/A-18A and F/A-18B standard to the current F/A-18C and F/A-18D standard. In July 2010 the Canadian government announced plans to replace the remaining CF-18 fleet with 65 F-35 Lightning IIs, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2016. In November 2016, Canada announced plans to buy 18 Super Hornets as an interim solution while reviewing its F-35 order. The plan for Super Hornets was later, in October 2017, put on hold due to a trade conflict with the U.S. over the Bombardier C-Series. Instead, Canada was seeking to purchase surplus Hornets from Australia or Kuwait. Canada has since acquired 25 ex-Australian F/A-18A/Bs, the first two of which were delivered in February 2019. 18 of these airframes will be introduced into active service with the remaining 7 to be used for spare parts and testing. Finland F/A-18 at Rissala Airport The Finnish Air Force ordered 64 F-18C/Ds (57 C models, seven D models) in 1992. The F-18Ds were built at St. Louis, while the F-18Cs were locally assembled in Finland. Delivery of the aircraft started in November 1995 and ended in August 2000. The Hornet replaced the MiG-21bis and Saab 35 Draken in Finnish service. The Finnish Hornets were initially to be used only for air defense, hence the F-18 designation. The F-18C includes the ASPJ (Airborne Self-Protection Jammer) jamming pod ALQ-165. due to a faulty tailplane servo cylinder. A third Hornet crashed in Rovaniemi during flight show training in May 2025. The Finnish Air Force's Hornet fleet went through a two-stage Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) program. From 2006 to 2010, the MLU 1 stage was aimed at improving the aircraft's air-to-air capabilities. It included the integration of the new AIM-9X Sidewinder missile together with the JHMCS helmet-mounted sight, new radios, a new IFF interrogator, and a new moving map display. Then, from 2012 to 2016, the MLU 2 stage was mainly focused at enabling the aircraft to use standoff air-to-ground weapons, including the JDAM, JSOW and JASSM. The Hornets also received the Litening targeting pod. New chaff/flare dispensers were installed. The cockpit was modernized, and Link 16 was added. The upgrade also includes the procurement and integration of a new version of the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile. In total, 62 aircraft (the whole Finnish Hornet fleet as of 2016) were modernized to MLU 2 standards. Since this upgrade gave the plane a ground-attack capability, the Finnish Air Force also started to refer to the plane as "F/A-18" rather than just "F-18". With a service life of 30 years, the Hornets are to remain in active service until 2025–2030. In October 2014, the Finnish national broadcaster Yle announced that consideration was being given to the replacement of the Hornet. In 2015, Finland started the HX Fighter Program that aims to acquire new multirole fighters to replace the current Hornet fleet. On 10 December 2021, the Finnish government announced the selection of Lockheed Martin's fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II for its HX Fighter Program. The first Hornet, HN-401, was retired on 26 April 2024. Kuwait The Kuwait Air Force (Al Quwwat Aj Jawwaiya Al Kuwaitiya) ordered 32 F/A-18C and eight F/A-18D Hornets in 1988. Delivery started in October 1991 until August 1993. Kuwait also participated in the Yemeni Civil War (2015–present). In February 2017, the Commander of the Kuwait Air Force revealed that the F/A-18s based at King Khalid Air Base had performed approximately 3,000 sorties over Yemen. During the 2026 Iranian missile strikes in Kuwait, a Kuwaiti F/A-18 shot down three American F-15Es in a case of friendly fire. All six pilots ejected and survived. Malaysia F/A-18D returning to base after a national day flypast The Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia) has eight F/A-18Ds. Delivery of the aircraft occurred from March to August 1997. Three Hornets together with five UK-made BAE Hawk 208 were deployed in a bombing airstrike on the "Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo" terrorists on 5 March 2013, just before the joint forces of the Malaysian Army and Royal Malaysia Police commandos launched an all-out assault during Operation Daulat. The Hornets were tasked with close air support to the no-fly zone in Lahad Datu, Sabah. As of July 2024, Malaysia intends to acquire Kuwaiti legacy F/A-18s as the Kuwaiti Air Force replaces their Hornets with newer Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons. The United States has granted clearance for Kuwaiti F/A-18s to be exported to Malaysia in June 2025. The RMAF was set to receive around 30 F/A-18C/Ds. A team of eight RMAF personnel was send to the Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base in November 2025 to evaluate the Kuwaiti aircraft. Malaysia formally cancelled the Kuwaiti F/A-18s procurement in February 2026 due to delays of their projected delivery and operational timeline, and uncertainty of their maintenance and support arrangements in the future. Spain The Spanish Air and Space Force (Ejército del Aire y del Espacio) ordered 60 EF-18A model and 12 EF-18B model Hornets (the "E" standing for "España", Spain), named respectively as C.15 and CE.15 by Spain (the “C” standing for “Caza”, Fighter). The Spanish version was delivered from 22 November 1985 to July 1990. Over Yugoslavia, eight EF-18s, based at Aviano AB, participated in bombing raids in Operation Allied Force in 1999, being among the first planes to strike Yugoslav targets. Over Bosnia, they also performed missions for air-to-air combat air patrol, close air support air-to-ground, photo reconnaissance, forward air controller-airborne, and tactical air controller-airborne. Over Libya, four Spanish Hornets participated in enforcing a no-fly zone. Switzerland , X-5099 The Swiss Air Force purchased 26 C models and eight D models, had been lost in crashes as of 2016. On 14 October 2015, an F/A-18D crashed in France during training with two Swiss Air Force Northrop F-5s in the Swiss/French training area EURAC25; the pilot ejected safely. During late 2007, Switzerland requested to be included in the F/A-18C/D Upgrade 25 Program, to extend the useful life of its F/A-18C/Ds. The program includes significant upgrades to the avionics and mission computer, 12 ATFLIR surveillance and targeting pods, and 44 sets of Raytheon AN/ALR-67(V)3 Advanced Special Receiver ECM equipment. In October 2008, the Swiss Hornet fleet reached the 50,000 flight hour milestone. Hornet F/A-18C at RIAT 2019 The Swiss Air Force has also taken delivery of two F/A-18C full-scale mock-ups for use as ground crew interactive training simulators. Locally built by Hugo Wolf AG, they are externally accurate copies and have been registered as Boeing F/A-18C (Hugo Wolf) aircraft with tail numbers X-5098 and X-5099. These include a complex equipment fit, including many original cockpit components and instruments, allowing the simulation of fires, fuel leaks, nosewheel collapse and other emergency scenarios. X-5098 is permanently stationed at Payerne Air Base while X-5099, the first one built, is moved between air bases according to training demands. Potential operators In June 2023, the Financial Review reported that Australia, the United States and Ukraine were negotiating the supply of 41 Australian F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force. A further update was issued in December 2023, that the U.S. have continued talks with the Australian government and have begun exploring the option of providing aging jets and parts from the Finnish Air Force. During December 2023 Ukraine asked the US, according to documents viewed by Reuters, for F/A-18 Hornets. The Ukrainian ambassador to Australia is expected to again request surplus Hornets. A report found that 14 of the 41 airframes were airworthy and another two years flying could be "squeezed" from them. Failed Bids Several Nations considered operating the hornet at various points in time. The F/A-18C and F/A-18D were considered by the French Navy (Marine Nationale) during the 1980s for deployment on their aircraft carriers Clemenceau and Foch and again in the 1990s for the later nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle, in the event that the Dassault Rafale M was not brought into service when originally planned. Austria, Chile, South Korea originally set out with an ambitious plan to build 120 new fighter jets through its Korean Fighter Program. Although the F/A-18 Hornet was first selected, complications with the deal led to a change in direction. Instead, the country opted for the F-16C/D Block 52D, known locally as the KF-16C/D, with 72 of the jets to be built domestically in South Korea. Thailand ordered four C and four D model Hornets in 1995–1996 for $392 million, with plans for ten additional Hornets. Thailand already paid $74.5 million deposit before the Asian financial crisis in late 1990s hit the country, which resulted in the order being canceled in April 1998. The eight Hornets were completed as F/A-18Ds for the U.S. Marine Corps. The Greek government chose F-16 and Mirage 2000 instead. ==Variants==

F/A-18A/B Hornet The F/A-18A, single-seat variant, can employ the AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-65E Maverick, AGM-88 HARM and the AGM-62 Walleye I/II. The F/A-18A was also equipped with the AN/AAS-38 Nite Hawk targeting pod and the AN/ASQ-173 laser spot tracker for targeting. During the Gulf War, there were limited numbers of the Nite Hawk for USN and USMC Hornets. The F/A-18B has space for the two-seat cockpit, provided by a relocation of avionics equipment and a 6% reduction in internal fuel. Two-seat Hornets are otherwise fully combat-capable. The B-model is used primarily for training. In 1992, the original Hughes AN/APG-65 radar was replaced with the Hughes (now Raytheon) AN/APG-73, a faster and more capable radar. A-model Hornets that have been upgraded to the AN/APG-73 and are capable of carrying the AIM-120 AMRAAM are designated F/A-18A+. Later in the 2010s they received life-extending upgrades from the USMC and then became F/A-18A++. F/A-18C/D Hornet , launches off the flight deck of the in 2021. The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1987 Since 1993, the AAS-38A NITE Hawk added a designator/ranger laser, allowing it to self-mark targets. The later AAS-38B added the ability to strike targets designated by lasers from other aircraft. However, the USMC still retains theirs, and is in the process of upgrading their radar to APG-79(V)4 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar system. This variant for the USMC with the MLU is called F/A-18C+. These are F/A-18Cs of the Blocks 25 and 30 that are being modernized to the most modern Block 35 and for a longer service life. F/A-18E/F Super Hornet F/A-18F Super Hornet performing evasive maneuvers during an air power demonstration above The single-seat F/A-18E and two-seat F/A-18F, both officially named Super Hornet, carry over the name and design concept of the original F/A-18 but have been extensively redesigned by McDonnell Douglas. The Super Hornet, which began production in 1995, has a new, 25% larger airframe, larger rectangular air intakes, more powerful GE F414 engines based on F/A-18's F404, and an upgraded avionics suite. Like the Marine Corps' F/A-18D, the Navy's F/A-18F carries a naval flight officer as a second crew member in a weapon systems officer role. The Super Hornet is unofficially known as "Rhino" in operational use. This name was chosen to distinguish the newer variants from the legacy F-18A/B/C/D Hornet and avoid confusion during carrier deck operations. The Super Hornet is also operated by Australia and Kuwait. EA-18G Growler The EA-18G Growler is an electronic warfare version of the two-seat F/A-18F, which entered production in 2007. The Growler has replaced the Navy's EA-6B Prowler and carries a Naval Flight Officer as a second crewman in an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) role. Growlers are used by the United States and Australia. US variants list ;F/A-18A: Original single-seat version, can carry the AGM-84 ASM, AGM-62 Walleye, AGM-88 HARM and the TV guided versions AGM-65 Maverick. The letter A (meaning attack) was dropped from the name, because of a treaty with the Soviet union after WW2 stating that Finland is not allowed to have offensive weapons, though these aircraft still do have a air-to-ground capability. The Mid-Life Upgrade 2 (MLU 2) performed from 2012 to 2016 provided Finnish hornets with air-to-ground mission capability, allowing it to deploy air-to-ground weapons such as JDAMs, JSOWs and JASSMs, alongside avionics and air-to-air missile upgrades. Official Finnish sources now also use the F/A-18C/D designation. ;F-18C/D Hornet • Switzerland uses F-18C/D, later Swiss specific mid-life update. The Swiss F-18s had no ground attack capability originally, until hardware was retrofitted. ==Operators==

; • Royal Canadian Air Force (see McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet) • 86 (63 CF-18A & 23 CF-18B) aircraft in use as of 2021. • 10 Ex-RAAF F/A-18A/B in use as of 2025. ; • Finnish Air Force - 53 F/A-18Cs and 7 F/A-18Ds in use as of 2025. • Karelia Air Wing • No. 31 Squadron • Lapland Air Wing • No. 11 Squadron ; • Kuwait Air Force - 31 F/A-18Cs and 8 F/A-18Ds in service . 34 (27 F/A-18C & 7 F/A-18D) aircraft were in use as of 2021. • 9th Fighter and Attack Squadron • 25th Fighter and Attack Squadron 1 crashed in 2025. • RMAF Butterworth • No. 18 Squadron ; • Spanish Air and Space Force - 85 F/A-18A+/B+ in service. There were 84 (72 EF-18M and F/A-18C & 12 EF-18BM) aircraft in use as of 2021. • Ala de Caza 15 (15th Fighter Wing) Zaragoza AB, (151, 152 and 153 Squadrons) • Ala de Caza 12, Torrejón AB (121 and 122 Squadrons) • Ala 46, Gando AB (Canary Islands), with Squadron 462 operating 20 ex-U.S. Navy F/A-18As. They did not receive any important upgrades, unlike the Hornets operating from the Spanish mainland. ; • Swiss Air Force - 25 F/A-18Cs and 5 F/A-18Ds in service as of 2021. • Fliegerstaffel 17 186 F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornets in operation as of 2023 • VMFA-112 1992–present (Marine Air Reserve) • VMFA-232 1989–present • VMFA-312 1987–present • VMFA-323 1982–present • MAWTS-1 1990–present • NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center – 3 F/A-18s in use Former operators ; • Royal Australian Air Force • No. 3 Squadron RAAF 1985–2017 (converted to F-35A) • No. 75 Squadron RAAF 1988–2021 (converted to F-35A) • No. 77 Squadron RAAF 1985–2020 (converted to F-35A) • No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit RAAF 1985-2019 (converted to F-35A) • Aircraft Research and Development Unit launches from French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle off the Virginia Capes.|alt= ; • United States Marine Corps • VMFA-115 1985–2023 (to convert to F-35C) • VMFA-122 1986–2017 (converted to F-35B) • VMFA-134 1989–2007 (Marine Corps Reserve; placed in cadre status) • VMFA-142 1990–2008 (Marine Corps Reserve; placed in cadre status) • VMFA-212 (to convert to F-35C) • VMFA-314 • VFA-37 1990–2018 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet) • VFA-81 1988–2008 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet) • VFA-82 1987–2005 (disestablished) • VFA-83 1988–2018 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet) • VFA-86 1987–2012 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet, but in the process of converting to the F-35C Lightning II) • VFA-87 1986–2015 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet) • VFA-94 1990–2016 (initially converted to F/A-18F Super Hornet, 2016–2023; subsequently converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet, 2023–present) • VFA-97 1991–2015 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet, but currently operating the F-35C Lightning II) • VFA-105 1990–2006 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet) • VFA-106 1984–2018 (fleet replacement squadron for USN and USMC; operates F/A-18E/F; legacy F/A-18A/A+/B/C/D Hornets phased out in 2018. Converted to F-35C) • VFA-113 1984–2016 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet) • VFA-115 1996–2001 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet, but will soon switch to the F-35C Lightning II) • VFA-122 2010–2013 (fleet replacement squadron for F/A-18E/F; legacy F/A-18A/A+/B/C/D Hornets phased out in 2013) • VFA-125 1980–2010 (disestablished, former fleet replacement squadron for USN and USMC; aircraft transferred to VFA-122 and legacy F/A-18A/A+/B/C/D Hornets phased out in 2013. Currently F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron) • VFA-127 1989–1996 (disestablished) • VFA-131 1984–2018 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet) • VFA-132 1984–1992 (disestablished) • VFA-136 1985–2008 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet) • VFA-137 1985–2003 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet) • VFA-146 1989–2015 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet) • VFA-147 1989–2007 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet, but currently operating the F-35C Lightning II) • VFA-151 1986–2013 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet) • VFA-161 1986–1988 (disestablished) • VFA-192 1986–2014 (converted to F/A-18E Super Hornet) • VFA-195 1985–2011 (converted to the F/A-18E Super Hornet) • VFA-201 1999–2007 (Naval Air Reserve Force; disestablished) • VFA-203 1990–2004 (Naval Air Reserve Force; disestablished) • VFA-204 1990–2022 (Naval Air Reserve Force; converted to F-5N/F Tiger II) • VFA-303 1990–1994 (Naval Air Reserve Force; disestablished) • VFA-305 1990–1994 (Naval Air Reserve Force; disestablished) • VX-4 1982–1994 (merged with VX-5 in 1994 to form VX-9) • VX-5 1983–1994 (merged with VX-4 in 1994 to form VX-9) • VX-9 1994–2020 (legacy hornets phased out in 2020; currently operate F/A-18E/F and E/A-18G aircraft) • VX-23 • VX-31 • Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center / Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center ==Aircraft on display==

;YF-18A • 160775 – U.S. Naval Museum of Armament & Technology, NAWS China Lake, California. This is the first F/A-18A built in 1978. Aircraft was recently restored in the same livery after being built. Aircraft was moved off base for better public viewing. • 160780 – Virginia Air and Space Center, Hampton, Virginia. ;F/A-18A • 161353 – Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, NAS Patuxent River, Lexington Park, Maryland. • 161366 – Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, main gate. • 161367 – Naval Air Systems Command Headquarters Building, NAS Patuxent River, Lexington Park, Maryland. • 161712 – Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas, in VMFA-112 markings. • 161725 – California Science Center museum, Los Angeles, California. • 161726 – In Blue Angels markings, main gate, NAS JRB New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana. • 161749 – Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, MCAS Miramar, California. • 161941 – In Blue Angels #1 markings, main gate, NAS Jacksonville Heritage Park, Jacksonville, Florida. • 161942 – In Blue Angels #1 markings, USS Lexington Museum, Corpus Christi, Texas. On loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola, Florida. • 161948 - In Blue Angels markings, Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, Titusville, Florida. On loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum. • 161957 – Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD), Naval Support Activity Orlando, Florida. This aircraft was relocated from NAS Atlanta, Georgia, following that installation's BRAC-directed closure. • 161961 – Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, main gate in Blue Angels #1 markings. • 161982 – Navy Inventory Control Point Philadelphia (NAVINCP-P), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. • 161983 – In Blue Angels #5 markings, Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland. • 162430 – Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs, California. • 162435 – Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. in Slaton, Texas • 162437 – Texas Air Museum, Slaton, Texas in VMFA-531 markings • 162448 – Naval Air Facility El Centro, California, main gate. • 162454 – NAS Oceana Air Park, Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. • 162826 – In Blue Angels #3 markings, Fort Worth Aviation Museum, Fort Worth, Texas. • 162901 – , San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum, San Diego, California. • 163093 – In Blue Angels #6 markings, Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona • 163119 – Defense Supply Center Richmond, Richmond, Virginia. • 163152 – Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, MCAS Miramar, California. • 162436 – On display at the Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum, Horsham, Pennsylvania. • 161521 – In Blue Angels #3 markings. Third Hornet received by Blue Angels (1987). Under restoration and display at Moffett Historical Museum, Moffett Federal Airfield, California. • 162411 – In Blue Angel #5 markings with the names Lt. Cmdr. Dick Oliver and Lt. Cmdr. Stuart Powrie. Oliver died when flying a F-11A in 1966 for the Blue Angels and Powrie died in an A-4 Skyhawk. Located at then Hickory Aviation Museum, Hickory, North Carolina. • A21-023 – In 'Worimi' Livery at Fighter World, Williamtown, New South Wales. ;F/A-18B • 161746 – In Blue Angels #7 markings at Saint Louis Science Center, Saint Louis, Missouri. • 161943 – In Blue Angels #7 markings at Yanks Air Museum, Chino, California. ;F/A-18C • 163106 – In Blue Angels #2 markings, Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington. • 163437 – In front of Headquarters, Naval Air Force Atlantic, Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia. • 163439 – In Blue Angels #1 markings at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. • 163485 - In Blue Angels #4 markings at Yankee Air Museum, Belleville, Michigan • 163498 – Lee Victory Recreation Park, Smyrna, Tennessee. • 163766 – In Blue Angels #1 markings at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas • 163768 – In Blue Angels #4 markings at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii ;F/A-18D • 163486 – MCAS Beaufort (East Side), Beaufort, South Carolina. Painted as VMFA(AW)-533 CO bird, aircraft 01 at the officers' club. ==Notable accidents==

• On 8 December 2008, a U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D crashed in a populated area of San Diego, California while on approach to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, killing four people on the ground. The pilot ejected safely; there was no weapon systems officer on board the aircraft. • On 6 April 2012, a USN F/A-18D from VFA-106 crashed into apartment buildings in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Both crew members ejected. Seven people were injured including the two pilots, who were taken to the hospital; all survived. The crew performed a last-second fuel dump, and thus may have prevented a large explosion and fire after the crash. • On 2 June 2016, U.S. Marine Corps Captain Jeff Kuss fatally crashed due to weather and fatigue, during a training exercise to prepare for the Great Tennessee Air Show. Capt. Kuss's jet (Blue Angels No. 6) crashed about two miles from the runway after an attempted "Split S" maneuver. • On 24 August 2023, a U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D crashed after taking off from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The sole pilot onboard died after ejecting from the aircraft. • On 21 August 2025, a Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18D Hornet caught fire and crashed during takeoff from Kuantan Air Base. Both pilots ejected safely. This incident marked the first loss of Malaysia’s aging Hornet fleet, raising concerns about the country’s defense capabilities. The Prime Minister called for a full investigation, and the event attracted widespread media attention. ==Specifications (F/A-18C/D)==

s and two AIM-9 Sidewinders on display at Miramar Airshow ==See also==