The McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet
The combat-proven F/A-18 Hornet is a single- and dual-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.
The F/A-18 has seen or continues in service with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the air forces of Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Finland, Switzerland, and Malaysia. As of May 1999 Hornet pilots had accumulated more than 3.7 million flight hours. The F/A-18 has been upgraded regularly since entering service in 1983.
The squadron began flying the F-18 in 1986 and flew the F-18 until it was deactivated in April 2020.
Basic Stats (F-18A):
DIMENSIONS
Wing span - 40 ft 8 in
Length - 56 ft
Height - 15 ft 3 in
WEIGHT
Empty - 21,500 lbs
Max takeoff weight - 45,300 lbs
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed - Mach 1.8
Armament
13,700 pounds of a combination of bombs, rockets or missiles
