F/A-18 Hornet
The F/A-18 Hornet was the first carrier aircraft designed to combine both fighter and bomber missions. Entering service in 1983, the F/A-18 gradually took over from other aircraft and is now the dominant manned fighter-bomber flying off carriers. This particular Hornet is painted to resemble a late-model MiG fighter for air combat training at Top Gun.
Specifications
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 |
Height | 15 ft 5 in (4.7 m) |
Gross weight | 36,970 lb (16,769 kg) |
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 |
Maximum speed | Mach 1.8 |
Range | 1,089 nmi (1,253 mi; 2,017 km) |
Service ceiling | 50,000 ft (15,000 m) |
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