F/A-18 Hornet

The F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine, multirole tactical fighter and attack aircraft developed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop for the U.S.

The F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine, multirole tactical fighter and attack aircraft developed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop. It entered service with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in 1983 as an all-weather strike fighter. The aircraft's designation reflects its dual fighter and attack roles.

Development

The F/A-18 Hornet emerged from a naval fighter program that combined fighter and attack requirements into one aircraft. McDonnell Douglas was the prime contractor, with Northrop responsible for major airframe work.

Design and capabilities

The Hornet is a twin-engine, mid-wing aircraft built for carrier operations and all-weather combat. It was designed to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions without compromising fighter performance.

Operational use

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps used the Hornet in a wide range of missions, including fleet defence, escort, force projection, and close air support. It became a standard multirole carrier aircraft before being supplemented by later F/A-18 variants.

Variants and succession

The original Hornet family included single-seat and two-seat versions, with later upgrades leading to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The Super Hornet is a larger, later-generation development rather than the original Hornet design.