F18 vs Super Hornet Comparison

Introduction to F18 and Super Hornet

The F/A-18 Hornet and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet are two of the most iconic fighter jets in the world, with a rich history of service in the United States Navy and other countries. The F/A-18 Hornet, which first entered service in 1980, is a multi-role fighter designed to perform a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, and reconnaissance. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, which entered service in 2001, is an upgraded version of the original Hornet, with improved range, payload, and avionics. In this article, we will compare the F18 and Super Hornet, highlighting their differences and similarities.

Design and Development

The F/A-18 Hornet was designed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) in the 1970s as a replacement for the F-4 Phantom II and the A-7 Corsair II. The Hornet was designed to be a multi-role fighter, capable of performing a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, and reconnaissance. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, on the other hand, was developed in the 1990s as an upgrade to the original Hornet. The Super Hornet has a number of significant improvements over the original Hornet, including a longer range, a larger payload, and more advanced avionics.

Performance Comparison

The F/A-18 Hornet and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet have similar performance characteristics, but the Super Hornet has a number of significant advantages. The Super Hornet has a longer range, with a maximum range of over 2,000 nautical miles, compared to the Hornet’s range of around 1,500 nautical miles. The Super Hornet also has a larger payload, with a maximum payload of over 17,000 pounds, compared to the Hornet’s payload of around 13,000 pounds. In terms of speed, the Super Hornet has a top speed of over Mach 1.8, while the Hornet has a top speed of around Mach 1.7.

Avionics and Electronics

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet has more advanced avionics and electronics than the F/A-18 Hornet. The Super Hornet has an advanced radar system, known as the AN/APG-79, which provides improved air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities. The Super Hornet also has an advanced electronic warfare system, known as the AN/ALQ-218, which provides improved electronic countermeasures capabilities. The Hornet, on the other hand, has an older radar system, known as the AN/APG-73, which is less capable than the AN/APG-79.

Armament and Payload

The F/A-18 Hornet and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet have similar armament and payload capabilities. Both aircraft are capable of carrying a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the AIM-9 Sidewinder, and the AGM-88 HARM. The Super Hornet, however, has a larger payload capacity, with a maximum payload of over 17,000 pounds, compared to the Hornet’s payload of around 13,000 pounds.

Aircraft	Length	Wingspan	Height	Empty Weight	Max Takeoff Weight
F/A-18 Hornet	56 ft 1 in	37 ft 6 in	15 ft 3 in	24,700 lb	50,000 lb
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet	60 ft 1 in	44 ft 8 in	16 ft 0 in	31,000 lb	66,000 lb

Crew and Training

The F/A-18 Hornet and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet have similar crew and training requirements. Both aircraft are flown by a single pilot, with the option for a second crew member to act as a navigator or weapons officer. The Super Hornet, however, has a more advanced cockpit and avionics system, which requires more extensive training for pilots.

🚀 Note: The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet has a more advanced simulator system, which provides more realistic training for pilots.

Operational History

The F/A-18 Hornet and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet have a long and distinguished operational history. The Hornet first entered service in 1980 and has seen extensive service in a variety of conflicts, including the Gulf War and the Iraq War. The Super Hornet entered service in 2001 and has also seen extensive service in a variety of conflicts, including the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.

Future Developments

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is expected to remain in service for many years to come, with ongoing upgrades and modernization efforts to keep the aircraft relevant. The F/A-18 Hornet, on the other hand, is being phased out of service, with many aircraft being retired or transferred to reserve units. The future of the F/A-18 program is uncertain, with the US Navy planning to replace the Super Hornet with the F-35C Lightning II in the coming years.

In summary, the F/A-18 Hornet and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet are two highly capable fighter jets with a rich history of service. While the Hornet is being phased out of service, the Super Hornet is expected to remain in service for many years to come, with ongoing upgrades and modernization efforts to keep the aircraft relevant. Key differences between the two aircraft include the Super Hornet’s longer range, larger payload, and more advanced avionics and electronics.