The F/A-18 Hornet is a single- and two-seat, twin-engine multimission tactical aircraft. It is the first tactical aircraft designed from its inception to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

     Today, the F/A-18 is in service with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the air forces of Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Finland, Switzerland, and Malaysia. Hornet pilots have accumulated more than 3.4 million flight hours and, in the process, are establishing new records daily in safety, reliability, maintainability and mission performance.

     Reliability and maintainability are also designed into the Hornet. These factors result in significantly lower operating and maintenance costs for the F/A-18 compared to other U.S. Navy fighter and attack aircraft; and life cycle costs comparable to other modern multi-role aircraft.

     Survivability is another key Hornet feature. The F/A-18 employs a number of systems and technologies that increase its likelihood of reaching a target undetected, of escaping unhurt if it is detected, and of returning its crew safely if it is hit. These systems and technologies have been enhanced in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to improve survivability.

     To maintain its advantage over the threat, the F/A-18 has been upgraded regularly since entering service in 1983. In November 1989, the first F/A-18s equipped with night strike capability were delivered.

     In February 1992, the Marine Corps began taking delivery of Hornets with provisions for a reconnaissance package. Now, under the leadership of the Boeing Company, a program is under way to integrate the Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System into Marine Corps F/A-18Ds. Operational evaluation is scheduled for November 1998 through January 1999, with initial operational capability planned for March 1999.

     Canada was the first international customer for the F/A-18, and its fleet of 138 Hornets is the largest outside the United States. Deliveries to Canada were completed in 1988. Canadian CF-18s operate out of Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, Alberta; and Canadian Forces Base Bagotville. The Canadian Forces are currently planning an aircraft modernization program, which would significantly upgrade the avionics of their CF-18s.

     The Operational Conversion Unit at Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown received its first Hornets in May 1985. Hornets delivered to the RAAF were assembled in Australia. Aircraft are located at Williamtown, in the east, and RAAF Base Tindal, in the north. Deliveries were completed in May 1990. Currently, the fleet is undergoing a two phase upgrade to include advanced avionics, new countermeasures, a new radar and an advanced air to air weapons system.

     The Spanish Air Force procured 72 EF-18s from 1986 to 1990. The SAF operates Hornets from air bases at Zaragoza, Torrejon and Meron. In September 1995, the SAF signed a letter of offer and acceptance to procure an additional 24 F/A-18As from the U.S. Navy inventory. To date, 13 of these aircraft have been delivered to the SAF.

     Currently, Kuwait is in a post-production support mode. The United States continues to support the Kuwait Air Force with program management, contract administration, logistics, field team visits and sustained engineering.

     Switzerland is procuring two complete F/A-18s, 32 F/A-18 kits, support equipment and services. An F/A-18D and F/A-18C were delivered to Switzerland in December 1996 and early 1997 respectively. Kits for the remaining 32 aircraft were delivered in 1997. They are currently undergoing final assembly and ramp operations at the Swiss Aircraft and Systems Co. in Emmen, near Lucerne, Switzerland. Malaysia signed a letter of offer and acceptance for eight F/A-18 aircraft and support in December 1993. All eight aircraft were delivered during 1997.