Description
The F/A-18 Hornet is a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps carrier-based fighter and carrier-based attack aircraft developed
as a successor to the F-4 Phantom and A-7 Corsair carrier-based attack aircraft.
In 1974, the U.S. Navy
announced a plan to develop the next carrier-based fighter attack aircraft.
The candidates are General Dynamics'
YF-16 and Northrop's YF-17 light fighter.
The U.S. Navy installed a semi-active radar-guided AAM Sparrow and required
the introduction of a fire control system to operate it and various maintenance to operate the aircraft carrier. As a result of the review, it was decided to use the large, twin-engine YF-17 as the prototype and undergo a major redesign, with McDonnell Douglas as the main contractor for development.
The first aircraft was completed on September 13, 1978, and successfully made its first flight in November of the same year.
Unlike previous fighter aircraft, the F/A-18
is capable of performing both fighter and attack aircraft missions. As a result, the U.S. Navy established the Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA), which
combines the missions of a fighter squadron and an attack squadron , and the Marine Corps operates the VMFA as a successor to the Phantom.
The A type was the first mass-produced type, and
the B type was a two-seat trainer type that added a rear seat without extending the fuselage.
The C type is a developed type of the A type, and the D type is a developed type of the B type, with improved night attack capabilities.
The F/A-18 Hornet
is used by many foreign countries such as Australia and Canada as well as the US Navy and Marine Corps.
[Data]
Crew: 1 person
Overall width: 11.43m
Overall length: 17.07m
Overall height: 4.66m
Maximum takeoff weight: 22,328kg
Engine: GE/F404-GE-400
Thrust: 4,990kg, (When using A/B: 7,983kg) 2
Maximum speed: Mach 1.8/11,000m
Fixed armament: M61A1 20mm Vulcan gun x 1
First flight: 1986.9.3. (F/A-18C/D)
