1	F/A-18 “Hornet”
2	Overview Background Mission Variants Capabilities Armament Conclusion
3	Background Single- and two-seat, twin engine, multi-mission fighter/attack aircraft that can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases. Operated by: USN, USMC, multiple allies
4	Mission Air superiority Fighter escort Suppression of enemy air defenses Reconnaissance Forward air control Close/deep air support Day/night strike missions
5	Variants (A/B) F/A-18A (single seat) and F/A-18B (two seat) became operational in 1983 replacing Navy and Marine Corps F-4s, A-7s andA-6s
6	Variants (C/D) Everything vastly improved (avionics, armament, navigation) Far more capable (night attack, precision strike, low observable technologies, etc.) than the original F/A-18A/B however, by 1991, it was becoming clear that avionics cooling, electrical, and space constraints would begin to limit future growth. As the F/A-18C/D empty weight increased the aircraft were returning to the carrier with less than optimal reserve fuel and/or unexpended weapons
7	Variants (E/F) F/A-18E/F: 4.2 feet longer 25% larger wing area 33% more internal fuel 41% longer range 50% more endurance Carry the complete complement of "smart" weapons, including the newest joint weapons such as JDAM and JSOW
8	Variants (C/D vs. E/F)
9	Variants (G) F/A-18G "Growler" -- an F/A-18E/F modified for escort and close-in jamming. To replace the EA6-B “Prowler”
10	Capabilities (C/D) Cockpit displays and mission avionics are thoroughly integrated to enhance crew situational awareness and mission capability in high threat, adverse weather/night environments. Cockpits are night vision goggle compatible. Multi-Sensor Integration and advanced data link capabilities further enhance situational awareness. Unit cost $FY98 $39.5 million.
11	Capabilities (E/F) The E/F model will be able to perform a strike tanker mission while carrying a self-protection air-to-air missile loadout. The E/F model will also have greater payload flexibility, increased mission radius, survivability, payload bring back, and a substantial avionics growth potential. Unit cost $FY98 $60 million.
12	Armament
13	Armament
14	Armament
15	20 bombs x 202 bomblets/bomb = 4040 bad days
16	Conclusion High reliability and ease of maintenance Consistently flown three times more hours without failure than other Navy tactical aircraft, while requiring half the maintenance time E/F models provide excellent growth potential while JSF in development (2008) http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/ptech/02/17/jet.fighter.ap/index.html Source: http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-18.htm
17	For Mr. Golbeck