Fighter Aircraft
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet is a twin-engine multirole carrier fighter built by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop in the United States, in service since 1983. About 1,480 F/A-18A to D aircraft were built, and the US Marine Corps still flies it.
United States|McDonnell Douglas & Northrop (Boeing)What Is the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet? Overview, History and Development
The F/A-18 was developed by McDonnell Douglas with Northrop from the YF-17. The F/A-18A first flew on 18 November 1978, and US Navy and Marine service began in 1983. The C/D model, from 1987, added night attack, AMRAAM and Maverick IR capability. Two GE F404 engines give a top speed of about Mach 1.8. It carries a 20 mm M61A1 cannon and AIM-9, AIM-7, AIM-120, AGM-65, AGM-84 Harpoon and JDAM weapons on nine hardpoints.
About 1,480 F/A-18A to D aircraft were built from 1978 to 2000. The US Navy retired the Hornet from carrier air wings in 2019, and the Marine Corps plans to retire its F/A-18C/D by around 2030, though dates have shifted. Operators include the US Marine Corps, Canada, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Kuwait and Malaysia. Australia retired its Classic Hornets in 2021, with 25 sold to Canada. Combat use includes Libya in 1986, Desert Storm, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Unit cost was about US$30 to 40 million.
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet Specifications: Speed, Range, Engines and Armament
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet Variants and Versions Compared
The F/A-18A/B were the original single-seat and two-seat Hornets that entered service in 1983.
The F/A-18C/D, built from 1987, added night attack, AMRAAM and improved avionics and remain the main in-service version.
The F/A-18D(RC) is a Marine two-seat reconnaissance variant with sensors replacing the cannon.
Which Countries Use the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet? Operators and Users
United States
Canada
Spain
Finland
Switzerland
Kuwait
MalaysiaMcDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How fast is the F/A-18 Hornet?
The F/A-18C/D Hornet has a top speed of about Mach 1.8. Its combat radius is about 740 km, and its service ceiling is about 15,000 m.
How much does an F/A-18 Hornet cost?
An F/A-18C/D Hornet cost about US$30 to 40 million per aircraft at the time of production, according to US Navy estimates. That is an estimate in then-year dollars.
Which countries use the F/A-18 Hornet?
The United States (Marine Corps), Canada, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Kuwait and Malaysia use the F/A-18 Hornet. Australia retired its Classic Hornets in 2021.
Is the F/A-18 Hornet still in service?
Yes, the F/A-18C/D Hornet is still flown by the US Marine Corps, with retirement planned for around 2030. The US Navy retired it from carrier air wings in 2019.
F/A-18 Hornet vs F-16: which is better?
The Hornet is a twin-engine carrier-capable fighter, while the F-16 is a lighter single-engine land-based fighter. The F-16 is generally faster and cheaper, and the Hornet is better suited to naval operations.
Which Arab countries use the F/A-18 Hornet?
Kuwait is the Arab operator of the F/A-18C/D Hornet, bought in the 1990s. Malaysia flies the F/A-18D in Asia. Kuwait’s fleet consists of F/A-18C and D models delivered in the 1990s, and no other Arab air force is listed as an operator of the type.