AIRCRAFT BRIEF
The Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet is an enlarged, redesigned evolution of the classic Hornet that first flew on November 29, 1995 and entered U.S. Navy fleet service in 1999. It features a 20% larger airframe, 33% more internal fuel, and twin F414-GE-400 engines producing 35% more thrust than the F404 engines of the classic Hornet, dramatically improving range, payload, and carrier bringback capability. The Super Hornet replaced the F-14 Tomcat and A-6 Intruder and remains the backbone of carrier air wings today.
SPECIFICATIONS
- manufacturer
- Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas)
- first Flight
- 1995
- role
- Carrier-based multirole strike fighter
- crew
- 1 pilot
- engines
- 2x GE F414-GE-400 (22,000 lbf each with AB)
- max Speed
- 1,915 km/h (Mach 1.8)
- range
- 2,346 km (1,267 nmi) combat radius
- ceiling
- 50,000+ ft
- weight
- 29,937 kg (MTOW)