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F/A-18C Hornet
Aircraft of the Day
05/26/2011
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
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.jpg "F/A-18 Hornet in transonic flight (Note Prandtl-Glauert condensation).")
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_Flight_Deck.JPG "The [[Blue Angels' #6 F/A-18A."){kind=small}
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Claim to Fame
The Navy is approaching the point where everything except the E-2 will be some variation of an F-18. The closest thing to the original is the single seat F/A-18C Hornet which performs in a dual fighter/attack role. The original idea of the F-18 was as a lighter, more maneuverable, easier to maintain and cheaper alternative to the F-14's and A-6's filling the fighter and attack roles on carriers in the 1970's. Though the aircraft was ridiculed by the competing communities of the time, the Hornet and Super Hornet have survived and flourished while the other aircraft perform static display duty.
Interesting F/A-18C Hornet Fact
Leading edge extensions help give the Hornet excellent high angle of attack performance.
Quick F/A-18C Hornet Specs
| Year Introduced | 1983 |
| Number Built | 1480 |
| Cruise Speed | |
| Useful Load | 28,900 lb |
| Wing Span | 40 ft (12.3 m) -- with AIM-9 Sidewinders |
| Seats | 1 |
| Range | 1,089 nmi (1,250 miles, 2,000 km) -- with only two AIM-9s |
| Rate of Climb | 50,000 ft/min (254 m/s) |