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CF-18 Hornet

The CF-18 Hornet, officially designated CF-188, is the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Canadian variant of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The CF-18 Hornet, officially designated CF-188, is the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Canadian variant of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. It is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter used for air defence, air superiority, ground attack, tactical support, training, aerobatic demonstration, and aerospace testing and evaluation.

Development and procurement

Canada selected the CF-18 in the late 1970s to replace an aging fighter fleet. The aircraft was derived from the American F/A-18 Hornet and entered Canadian service in 1982.

Design and capabilities

The CF-18 is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It has been described by the Royal Canadian Air Force as fast, light, manoeuvrable, and effective in a variety of operational roles.

Service in the Royal Canadian Air Force

The CF-18 has long served as a core element of Canada’s air defence and expeditionary capabilities. It operates from bases in Bagotville and Cold Lake and has been used for training and demonstration as well as combat-related missions.

Operational history

The CF-18 has supported Canadian and coalition military operations over several decades. It has remained in service through upgrades and fleet management intended to extend its operational life.

Key facts

  • The CF-18 is the Royal Canadian Air Force’s version of the F/A-18 Hornet and is officially called the CF-188.
  • It is used in a wide range of roles, including air defence, air superiority, ground attack, tactical support, training, aerobatic demonstration, and aerospace testing and evaluation.
  • Canada first received CF-18 aircraft in the early 1980s, with delivery beginning in 1982.
  • The aircraft is stationed at 3 Wing Bagotville in Quebec and 4 Wing Cold Lake in Alberta.
  • Canada originally procured 138 CF-18 aircraft.
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Canadian context

The CF-18 is one of Canada’s most important military aircraft and has been central to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s air-defence and fighter roles since the early 1980s.

Frequently asked questions

What is the CF-18 Hornet?
The CF-18 Hornet is Canada’s version of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft, officially designated CF-188.
Who uses the CF-18?
The Royal Canadian Air Force uses the CF-18 for multiple roles, including air defence and ground attack.
When did the CF-18 enter service?
The CF-18 entered Canadian service in 1982.
Where are CF-18s based in Canada?
CF-18s are based at Bagotville, Quebec, and Cold Lake, Alberta.
What is the CF-18 based on?
It is based on the American McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.

References

  1. Royal Canadian Air Force / Government of Canada — https://www.canada.ca/en/air-force/services/aircraft/cf-188.html
    Supports: Official designation CF-188; common name CF-18; operational roles; performance figures; primary bases.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_CF-18_Hornet
    Supports: CF-18 as RCAF variant of the F/A-18 Hornet; Canadian designation and general history.
  3. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/cf-18-hornets-1.1003648
    Supports: Canadian procurement history; delivery beginning in 1982; production ending in 1988; fleet background.
  4. Valour Canada — https://valourcanada.ca/military-history-library/cf-18-hornet/
    Supports: Canadian service history; initial fleet size; delivery timeline.