F/A-18 Hornet
The Hornet is a fighter/attack aircraft
for the navy. It was to replace the old F-4 phantom and A-7 Corsair.
It was the first plane with "glass-cockpit".
In avionics it's comparable with
the MiG-29 and it's a relatively light and cheap aircraft.
It is land and carrier based, and
in the navy it's used in attack missions with F-14's as protectors.
The Hornet can carry a variety of ordnance
including nuclear munitions, anti-ship- and anti-radar
missiles.
During operation Desert Storm the
most famous bomber was the F-117 because of its precision bombing, but
the F-18 was the aircraft that flew most missions over the Gulf and made
most damage.
| Length: |
56 ft |
| Weight: |
56000 lb |
| Powerplant: |
Two General Electric F404-GE-400 Turbofans each rated at 16000 lb with
afterburner |
| Armament: |
One General Electric M61A1 Vulcan 20 mm cannon |
| Ordnance: |
Up to 15500 lb |
| Top speed: |
Mach 1.80 |
| Range, with drotanks: |
2073 miles |
| Ceiling: |
50000 ft |
| Climb rate: |
45000 ft/min |
Maneuverability: Good
Firepower: very good
Durability: Good
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