Northrop
A strike mission may require a plane dedicated to air defense, another suited for defense suppression and a third for precision strike on the target. Space is a premium on a carrier and the jets launched from its deck must perform multiple roles. The Navy's F/A-18 is termed a force multiplier because it is designed to perform all the missions the Air Force might assign to distinctly different aircraft. This challenges not only aviation engineers but the pilots as well, who must train for proficiency in multiple tasks.
F/A-18E
Power: 2 - General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans
9,988 kg / 22,000 lb afterburning thrust
Max. Speed: 1,915 kph / 1,189 mph
Ceiling: 15,250 m / 50,000+ ft
Combat Radius: 2,225 km / 1,382 miles
Climb: 13,680 m / 44,882 ft per minute
Weight -
Empty: 14,552 kg / 32,081 lb
Max. Take Off: 29,937 kg / 66,000 lb
Size -
Wingspan: 13.62 m / 44 ft 9 in
Wing Area: 46.5 sq m / 500 sq ft
Length: 18.31 m / 60 ft 1 in
Height: 4.88 m / 16 ft
Armament:
1 - 20 mm / 0.78 in M61 Vulcan gatling gun w/578 rounds
11 hardpoints with 8,058 kg / 17,750 lb capacity
ordinance:
AIM-7
AIM-120 AMRAAM
AIM-9 air-to-air missiles
free fall bombs, guided weapons, rockets
The F/A-18E is the single seat model of the Super Hornet while the 18F has a WSO, Weapons System Officer, aft of the pilot. Sophisticated avionics and enhanced functionality of combat aircraft can overwhelm one individual with numerous tasks and options to consider. The pilot used to flying solo may not be comfortable with the crew concept but it does free him to do what he does best - pilot the craft.
The F/A-18 Hornet was considered a supplement to the F-14 Tomcat for providing fleet protection when it first became operational. Now the F/A-18 Super Hornet not only supplants the Tomcat it replaces the A-6 Intruder, as well. No one aircraft or pilot can optimally fill a variety of combat roles but the challenge of Naval aviation does not end with carrier deck landings. The retirement of several aging aircraft models has recently led to specially fitted F/A-18s to add aerial refueling to their assigned tasks.
You'll find a weapon here to meet most any military need. We have short and long range air interdiction, over the horizon anti-ship missiles, armor penetrating explosives, cluster bombs to handle personnel issues, precision bombs for high value ground targets and bombs that specialize in minimizing collateral damage, as well as assorted devices to neutralize air defenses. The F/A-18 Super Hornet comes with eleven hardpoints enabling you to mix and match them as you deem appropriate.
The F/A-18 can provide close air support for troops on the ground but the land is barren of high value targets in countries such as Afghanistan. In the War on Terror what mission can be assigned these jets that can't be better served by some other approach? Armed drones can linger inconspicuous for hours over an area. Soldiers on the ground can put a human face on the American presence. The F/A-18 would be a plausible measure used to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if it were closed by hostile military action. Weapons are tools used to influence relations between nations. They usually best serve their purpose when they can remain holstered.
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