F/A-18 Hornet | The American Twin Engine, Supersonic Combat Jet Made By McDonnell Douglas

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, all-weather, carrier-capable, multirole combat jet, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft (hence the F/A designation). Designed by McDonnell Douglas (now part of Boeing) and Northrop (now part of Northrop Grumman), the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations, and formerly, by the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.
The F/A-18 was designed to be a highly versatile aircraft due to its avionics, cockpit displays, and excellent aerodynamic characteristics, with the ability to carry a wide variety of weapons. The aircraft can perform fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses, air interdiction, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset, though it has been criticized for its lack of range and payload compared to its earlier contemporaries, such as the Grumman F-14 Tomcat in the fighter and strike fighter role, and the Grumman A-6 Intruder and LTV A-7 Corsair II in the attack role.
The Hornet first saw combat action during the 1986 United States bombing of Libya and subsequently participated in the 1991 Gulf War and 2003 Iraq War. The F/A-18 Hornet served as the baseline for the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, its larger, evolutionary redesign.
The U.S. 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 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. That summer, Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger ordered the Navy to evaluate the competitors in the Air Force's Lightweight Fighter (LWF) program, the General Dynamics YF-16 and Northrop YF-17. 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), intended to make maximum use of the technology developed for the LWF program.
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.
Canted vertical stabilizers are another distinguishing design element, one among several other such elements that enable the Hornet's excellent high angle of attack ability, including oversized horizontal stabilators, oversized trailing-edge flaps that operate as flaperons, large full-length leading-edge slats, and flight control computer programming that multiplies the movement of each control surface at low speeds and moves the vertical rudders inboard instead of simply left and right.
General characteristics
Crew: 1 (C)/2 (D - pilot and weapon systems officer)
Length: 56 ft 1 in (17.1 m)
Wingspan: 40 ft 4 in (12.3 m) with AIM-9 Sidewinders on wingtip LAU-7 launchers
Width: 27 ft 7 in (8.4 m) wing folded
Height: 15 ft 5 in (4.7 m)
Wing area: 410 sq ft (38 m2)
Aspect ratio: 4
Airfoil: root:NACA 65A005 mod.; tip:NACA 65A003.5 mod.
Empty weight: 23,000 lb (10,433 kg)
Gross weight: 36,970 lb (16,769 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 51,900 lb (23,541 kg)
Fuel capacity: 10,860 pounds (4,930 kg) internally
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F404-GE-402 afterburning turbofan engines, 11,000 lbf (49 kN) thrust each dry, 17,750 lbf (79.0 kN) with afterburner
Performance
Maximum speed: 1,034 kn (1,190 mph, 1,915 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,000 m)
Maximum speed: Mach 1.8
Cruise speed: 570 kn (660 mph, 1,060 km/h)
Range: 1,089 nmi (1,253 mi, 2,017 km)
Combat range: 400 nmi (460 mi, 740 km) air-air mission
Ferry range: 1,800 nmi (2,100 mi, 3,300 km)
Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
Rate of climb: 50,000 ft/min (250 m/s)
Wing loading: 93 lb/sq ft (450 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight: 0.96 (1.13 with loaded weight at 50% internal fuel)
#f18hornet #f18 #f18superhornet

[@Dronescapes]

Click the link to watch more aircraft, heroes and their stories, missions: kzbin.info/aero/PLBI4gRjPKfnNx3Mp4xzYTtVARDWEr6nrT

[@johnshields6852]

My uncle piloted the F4 phantom in Vietnam so I'm bias to that plane but the Hornet is the icon of our military might, serving for so long, updated constantly, such a great design.🇺🇸

[@2ndtime1sttime43]

Watching this video it brings my right back on deck, from being a plane captain on the Kitty Hawk for OSW, learning to keep my head on a swivel and taking any chance I could to help the ordies rack 500lb LGB’s the old fashioned way. Writing “love” notes to Saddam on the ordnance with chalk. Feeling the adrenaline rush every time I stepped on deck. Later being an airframe troubleshooter and walking down our jets for final checks as it taxis on the cat. Doing the final flight control check, the giving the “thumbs up “ to the shooter and grabbing a pad eye as the jet launched. Strangely enjoying smell of fresh steamed grease and aviation fluids. Taking a cat shot off the Independence in a COD on my final cruise. Crazy to think that was over 25 years ago and the F/A-18’s that were the most high tech members of the fleet are now “legacy” Hornets and all but fully retired in the US. Even though they are 30-40 years old a few still continue to fly with the RCAF and the Finnish AF. Proud to say I was a Hornet Handler and would gladly do it again if I had the chance. Love and respect to all the past and present Hornet and Super Hornet handlers out there. Stay safe. If you are doing this now, save the memories while you can, 30 years goes by in a flash.

[@2ndtime1sttime43]

This really brings back the memories. I was an airframe troubleshooter/final checker with VFA-27 Royal Maces. F/A-18C were gradually replacing A-6 and F-14 squadrons when I served. For those unfamiliar, they were equipped with 2 engines, APU, 2 independent hydraulic systems, and 4 channel fly wire. They only needed 1 of each to stay flying. They were/are both durable and reliable which is why current air wings are composed primarily of the E/F Super Hornets.

[@xris5697]

Thanks for your service. My son currently with VFA27 forward deployed in Iwakuni. He flies the single seat Superhornet.

[@brucelee5576]

I heard they are designed to fly to a safe altitude in the event the pilot passes out , is this true ?

[@Purpose_Bilt]

@@xris5697 just left there. On my way to my final duty station. Mace FDCs were always on our shit list.

[@Purpose_Bilt]

What year were you with the Maces?

[@Purpose_Bilt]

@@brucelee5576 no they'll fly in a straight line wherever the nose is pointed. Unless the stick is actuated.

[@kellywilson8440]

I was in the first F-18 squadron on the east coast NAS Cecil Field fla VFA -131 Wildcats 1984-1988 , Also the the first to be carrier born aboad the USS Coral Sea CAG -13 to see combat against Libya operation el-dorado canyon 1986 , Airlants first and finest proudly served , Also won the battle E and S .

[@Dronescapes]

Thank you for your service Kelly. Feel free to share your memories if you have time

[@watchthe1369]

The Death Rattlers (VMFA-323) turned in their F-18's about 3 months ago for f-35's which means your old squadron is probably transitioning now.

[@isaiahshultz4296]

My favorite jet

[@Stocky_The_Demi_God]

I like the F-22 better or the the fa 14

[@user-iz2ub9st6k]

@@Stocky_The_Demi_GodIts just the F14, not F/A

[@moreycleveland2472]

I FIRST FEEL IN LOVE W/ AVIATIONS BACK IN 1988 WHEN I WAS STATIONED MERIDIAN MISSISSIPPI LEFT THEIR & WAS STATIONED IN OAKLAND ALAMEDA STATIONED ON THE USS CARL VINSON CVN 70 I THANK GOD I SERVED MY COUNTRY 22YRS RETIRED ARMY I DID 14 YRS IN NAVY 3 YRS ACTIVE DUTY 11 YRS RESERVES GOT RELEASE FROM NAVY BECAUSE HIGH YEAR TENURE E4 14YRS THANK GOD 4 THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD THEY TOOK ME IN & I DID 13 YRS W/ THEM 3YRS ACTIVE DUTY RETIRED IN 8 AUG 2015 W/ 22 GOOD YRS

[@migueldelaney6291]

OUTSTANDING VIDEO!!!!

[@John-ci8yk]

Cool video, thanks, thumbs up.

[@rich8304]

I was a yellow shirt on the USS. RANGER V1 FLY 3 ,72 at the end of the f4,so proud of our advancement

[@Dronescapes]

Thank you for your service Rich!

[@toddm9501]

Saw the Blue Angels in Grand Junction Colorado last Sunday as we were coming in from Iowa. We were so impressed. It was an airshow. Unreal.

[@SJR_Media_Group]

Former Boeing here.... I have been up close and personal with the F/A 18 Super Hornet, from pile of very expensive parts to final certification. I was part of Lean Manufacturing at Boeing Everett Commercial. We had been conducting workshops at various Commercial Assembly Plants. We had reduced build time on all Commercial Aircraft drastically with Lean Manufacturing. We got a call from Boeing St Louis Military to come and help sort assembly problems they were having on the F/A 18 Super Hornet. Plane had 1 window, 1-2 seats, 2 tiny turbojet engines, no kitchens, no bathrooms, no crew rest compartments, no luggage compartments, and no flight deck. It was taking 1 1/2 years to build one. We could build a 747 with 200 windows, 400 seats, 2 kitchens, 8 bathrooms, an upstairs and downstairs, 4 giant turbofan engines, cargo area big enough to hold entire F/A 18 with room to spare. We could do final assembly in a week. That got everyone's attention. Boeing was finishing last few Super Hornets on current first order contract and Navy needed the price to be cut... a lot. Only way to achieve that was to streamline assembly, reduce mistakes, reduce waste, better manage requirements, and train entire plant in Lean. We did it in time, Boeing got the 2nd Navy Contract, prices were reduced, everyone was happy. It's ironic... when I was in St Louis, they were finishing final (4) F-15's. Contracts were completed and entire line shutting down. Years later, F-15's got reborn into the F-15 E and the F/A 18's were being phased out. They were being replaced with F-35 B for Navy Carrier Operations. There is also a F/A xx (6th generation stealth) in the works that will replace the F-35's because of limited range. Carrier Operations now has to remain 1,000 miles away from China and it's sophisticated anti-ship hyper-sonic missiles. The new F/A xx will be much larger, carry more fuel and munitions, and even better stealth than F-35's and F-22's.

[@Dronescapes]

Thanks for the wonderful insight Steven

[@SJR_Media_Group]

@@Dronescapes My pleasure. Old School Aviation Buff too.

[@erictaylor9989]

the F35C is the carrier model, the B model is the STOVL

[@SJR_Media_Group]

@@erictaylor9989 Thank you, my mistake.

[@aaronsanborn4291]

Grumman has a design for the F-21 Super Tomcat based on the F-14 that meets and exceeds the new F/A-XX requirements. Even Grumman's initial design made the F-35 look like the joke it is.

[@skipssmn3754]

It was such a good plane that they made a super version of it. That doesn't happen often in aircraft evolution.

[@nexpro6118]

if my math is correct, having the center line tank on the fighter uses up about an extra 1700 pounds of fuel in drag to fly until landing time. (obviously with no air refueling)

[@user-vx6il2xj3z]

Angels of the sky. Absolutely a team of heros

[@davidrose3218]

I wish they would’ve made up a air show team of F-14s

[@Ded9822]

Thank you for calling it the McDonnell Douglas F-18!!! Props to Northrop as well

[@bennett8880]

he said amwam😭😭 but great show, gets me hooked right away

[@michaelpaige3398]

My Father was an electrical engineer for McDonnell Douglas. I have awesome test flight pictures of the F-18. The aircraft is painted white with blue and gold stripes. A hornet and the word Navy was also on the aircraft.

[@funkytownjedi]

Love the hornet ❤

[@lennintejada9138]

Brilliant!! doc!

[@Dronescapes]

🙏

[@airprok8328]

Can’t wait to see the 10” by 19” touch screen displays in the block 111’s

[@mikeallensonntag]

One thing hornet and super hornet are good at is being good all around. It can dog fight, it's fairly good at long distance and it does bombing missions very well. It's a all around aircraft unlike in 1960s where navy owned aircraft to do each task. Hornet is really good at nothing but it can perform everything well.

[@stevenkilleen8149]

We alway beat the f 15 in air to air training all about the pilots jets plenty capable at least my squadron single seat f/a 18 a+ all retired jets now I guess blue angel flew them back then as well 2000 to 2010

[@2ndtime1sttime43]

The “legacy” hornets (A,B,C,D) we’re not as fast or intimidating as the F14. Couldn’t carry the bomb load an A6 could. Was notorious for having “short legs” while deployed. What was unique about the Hornets at the time was the ability to load out for an air to ground strike mission and air to air combat simultaneously. The were there own escort to and from a strike. The Hornets also had significantly higher mission capable rates and less maintenance hr per flight hr than every jet formally retired or being phased out as Hornet squadrons entered the fleet. F14 is the most awe inspiring jet I ever saw launch off a catapult but ask any former maintainer what kind of nightmarish time and effort it took to keep them flying. When in Japan the F14 squadron next door NEVER got done work before us. So TLDR the Legacy Hornet’s best ability was availability which made the Super Hornet an easy sell for the navy. When I was in an air wing was (2) F14, (2)F/A-18, (2)A-6, (1)EA-6B, (1) S-3, (1)E-2, (1) SH-60 squadrons. Amazing the modern air wing has Super Hornets replaced all (including Hornet)but the E-2’s and the Helo’s. Anybody made it this far and has an original McDonnall Douglas F/A-18 Hornet Handler patch?

[@lloydz8828]

​@@2ndtime1sttime43yet iran still have f14 in flying condition

[@jayrag123]

Military channels need to make some videos on how life sucks on a Aircraft carrier. I still can't sleep good because of my two times in sea duty. 12 hour work shifts plus you have to do your turn standing night watch every now and then. The worst part were those day or night flight operations when you try to sleep. Those dang planes got on my last nerve when out to sea. But I loved when my squadron was not on a ship. Party time! (USS Nimitz CVN 68/VA-86 an A-7 squadron out of Cecil Field, FL. / I was in Navy around 1980)

[@caryladd863]

I was onboard Nimitz when we tried to rescue the Iranian hostages. I was assigned to VAQ-134 Appreciate what y'all did but still loved my EA-6B Prowlers. My berthing compartment was back aft on ship and work place was up forward on starboard catwalks. Everytime a plane would land the tailhook would slap the flight deck. The FirstClass berthing was all the way up front and would get the cats at night. Haha

[@rathahang7604]

Wow, that amazing aircraft and God bless America 🇺🇸🇺🇸💕👍💪

[@moreycleveland2472]

AVIATORS R THE TRUE PROFESSIONAL ATHELES W/ MAD SKILLS

[@hfdslakfdj]

finally got around to watching this! great video! one question, if the f/a-18 replaced the a-7 and the f-4, where does the f-14 fit in? did it co-occupy the carriers with the a-7 or was it also a hybrid attack/fighter?

[@airprok8328]

It was more the super hornet that replaced the tom cat in all reality

[@uberdang830]

The f14 primary role was fighter intercept for the carrier group.

[@markmanleyH2Oactivity]

Still an awesome Fighter Jet !!!

[@keithjasperato9426]

My baby jet❤

[@stevenkilleen8149]

Vfa 87 f/a 18 a+ and are pilots where the best top gun and blue angel at time was only other squadron that flew same jet so we got to catch them when in va Beach AD 3 pc / final checker troubleshooter 2 deployments oef loved it miss it

[@brianhiles8164]

So, here it is: You _do_ realize by now that the image comprising the thumbnail for this video, clearly labeled as talking about the F/A-18 _Hornet,_ is indeed not a _Hornet,_ right? It´s a _Super Hornet._ Despite similar names and shapes, they are different planes which have virtually no components in common.

[@Dronescapes]

My bad, I liked the image and the Super Hornet is actually mentioned as well. Perhaps I will change it. thanks for the remark

[@nonovernol3523]

the image shown in the thumbnail is the Mcdonnels Douglas version of the F18, you can see that because of it's wing shape and it's intakes

[@claudegillisjr3431]

At .10 of intro, what plane are flying lead with F18 trailing?

[@rizmasofea1]

su30mkm royal Malaysian airforce

[@charlesdavis545]

16;29 What are those MiGs doing there?

[@shalomalejem1543]

I want to fly it ❤

[@AAa-cf1oe]

💙

[@keithprinn720]

after a massive project consideration Australia went with the 18 over the F16 in the 70s and now have added super hornet despite having no carriers. the 35 is coming in despite not meeting essential requirements massive issues and cost increases. this is why we train with the USN on developing new aircrafy coimg on line the growlers are particularly important and housed where the F111C was housed for decades at Amberley not with the other fighter jocks.

[@paveljakl]

F35 lighting 2..👌

[@Dronescapes]

Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGqlf2iEnbmLj9U

[@paveljakl]

@@Dronescapes 👍

[@thralldumehammer]

Is there a reason for thirty minutes of black muted footage?

[@pike100]

Muted??? Did you mean "matted?"

[@user-vt5xo7tn8k]

16:28 MIG-29, SU-27, F-18 together?

[@simonemiglioli1165]

Su-30 and f-18.

[@karloyu3484]

👍

[@ntrcptr1]

who narrated this?

[@danejurus69]

Who else is here after watching Top Gun?

[@Dronescapes]

🙂👍

[@davidbeauruelle2505]

La puissance militaire des États-unis d'Amérique qui n'a pas d'égal dans le monde Amitié de Normandie

[@Dronescapes]

Merci David!

[@pike100]

Thanks, David

[@cleverusername9369]

I liked Top Gun Maverick too

[@airprok8328]

The after burner blast can reach 10 to 12 thousand degrees!

[@mikeallensonntag]

You should definitely update this video, half aircraft mentioned in beginning aren't even in service anymore. Also you have c/d hornets and e/f super hornets there is fairly large difference.

[@apexriders_]

Lol it's a documentary relax and enjoy the show 😄

[@airprok8328]

You are showing legacy’s with supers, you should mention that

[@madeyasa8608]

naes taem e laending ofe taem.

[@TOMCAT5.5149]

USS KITTYHAWK. CV-63

[@triciabyrne7761]

A7 pilot James Lee Martin, LCDR. If you knew him, please respond.

[@jakea511]

The fa-18

[@bkup1332]

I wonder how it compares to the Rafale, Eurofighter, and Gripen.

[@zacharydavis4398]

🤙🏾

[@monsterwaringu5518]

Am here after watching top gun Maverick ☺️

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍😎

[@edbaldwin8736]

Seems to me, if memory serves? The F4 was replaced by the F 14? The F14 was replaced by the F/A 18? If memory serves?

[@md.afzalulkarim1598]

Bangladesh need 16 nos FA-18Hornet /F-15 Eagle and 32 nos F-16; 16 Viper/Cobra copter. .with full package

[@davedennis5537]

i think it replaced the f14 tomcat

[@chrisjusino2987]

If the US really want to disturb Russia, we would give Ukraine these bad boys

[@jgonz1325]

You mean mykraine?

[@Swedish_John_Wick]

F22

[@airprok8328]

Agreed

[@airprok8328]

@@Swedish_John_Wick no way! The F22 is true American bruh. Nobody else is getting that technology. We could give them block11’s cause the block111 is on its way and is also top secret

[@challenger5474]

Base👍

[@ColinPMcEvoy]

So that G Lock scene in Top Gun Maverick was bullshit?

[@blackbird4062]

If only the pylons were straight on the super hornet…

[@mikeallensonntag]

Little do people know e/f super hornet can't break sound barrier in straight flight unless it's slick with no stations. If it has tanks or munitions it can only do it In a dive.

[@airprok8328]

You are wrong about that. The block were fitted with 2 GE engines that pump out 22,000 lbs of thrust each to take care of that problem. The block 2 is faster than a f35 and the 35 is heavier and can still do it. When there 675 block 3 super duper hornets on our carrier decks it will be the most dangerous carriers in the world as the block 3 rhino is also set to get more powerful engines. The block 3 will be able to burn at mach 2.0 and still be able to get slow to keep its dominating dog fighting ability as the legacy

[@jond2458]

No f14 mention?

[@davidmathews9633]

10:35

[@courtneygillespie1187]

You get caught in G lock it corrects it's self?..... WOW.....

[@madeyasa8608]

luk in e sleksion taem badi kentrol.

[@shadyorphan420]

So 40 million dollars i can own one?

[@mikebrown9997]

It looks like the DOD needs to step up the variable cycle engines to swap out these gas guzzler planes. Spending too much on planes and not enough on engines for these multibillion dollar planes.

[@nickduplaga507]

The future will be plasma propulsion.

[@Dronescapes]

Possibly

[@nickduplaga507]

@@Dronescapes Plasma reduces radar cross-section.

[@simonemiglioli1165]

Both don't seem to be.

[@hanoitripper1809]

Which one is Maverick

[@williamardenjr116]

Need to update your stuff. The S-3 hasn't flown since around 2004 or so. The Super Hornet took overshot roll. Not watching anymore after I seen you mention that

[@RobertRAbell]

Way to prep that War Bird 🦅. God’s speed Lady’s and Gentlemen. Move out the way we have a Country to Save. Giddy up little Doggie way to drive that Mule. All day long Yahoo

[@Dronescapes]

👍🇺🇸

[@pike100]

Ladies, not Lady's

[@RobertRAbell]

@@pike100 what are you a spelling teacher or something? Give you all day to get over it. All day long Yahoo

[@RobertRAbell]

@@Dronescapes Appreciate y’all all day long! Yahoo

[@planetherring8868]

Not a bad video but definitely dated. The F-14 has been out of service for over15 years. Kind of odd to post this in 2022 when the F-18 is facing being phased out itself for the F-35.

[@icemilo6589]

8

[@user-kn3yk4yf8o]

F15

[@MarcCronin]

how many times can you say F/A-18 in one video?

[@chef-kiss]

This reads like a nature documentary

[@MahbubulAlamJEWELS]

Save our money and lands

[@pike100]

Whose money and what land? What are you talking about?

[@richardkrenek985]

F-14 Tomcat was a man’s fighter. Not the 18.

[@danielmeador1991]

Lol😂

[@larrysweetser4198]

Northrop YF-17 Is what that aircraft is not McDonnell Douglas

[@pike100]

Wrong. YF-17 lost out to the F-16 in the competition for that contract. Later, the YF-17 was further developed into the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18. Only 2 YF-17s were actually ever built.

[@TheMerlin1984]

SU30 SM SUPERIOR

[@user-on5ds7qb4u]

SR-71 ??? F-22 RAPTOR!!!!

[@killingfields1424]

A faster replacement for the A-7 Corsair...slow

[@thuyhuynh9217]

máy chà mỹ cho 4 trung ép e28 ₫oi mới con biết hơn

[@dave23024]

7 1/2 Jeeves 🤣

[@peribe438]

A bit pompous…

[@Adam-zo6lc]

Amazon plane! Age doesn’t matter every year updated I’m sure! Mean fighter jet

[@siinee9686]

👍