
What Is The F/A-18 Super Hornet?
The F/A-18 Super Hornet. Carrier-capable multirole jet serving as the backbone of US Navy carrier air wings for attack and defence.
United States
Origin
Carrier multirole
Role
Mach 1.6
Top speed
15,240 m
Service ceiling
F/A-18 Super Hornet Specifications
The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a carrier-capable multirole fighter with twin-engines, serving as the primary strike platform for US Navy carrier air wings. It’s powered by GE F414 turbofans, hitting Mach 1.6, it carries 17,750 lbs of weaponry across 11 hardpoints with APG-79 AESA radar.
Performance
Top speed
Mach 1.6 (1,190 mph)
Service ceiling
50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Combat radius
390 nmi (722 km)
Rate of climb
44,880 ft/min (228 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
1 (Single-seat E)/2 (Double-seat F)
Length
60 ft 1 in (18.31 m)
Wingspan
44 ft 8 in (13.62 m)
Empty weight
32,100 lbs (14,552 kg)
Engine
2x General Electric F414-GE-400 afterburning turbofans
Service
First flight
29 November 1995
Unit cost
$67 million
Operators
United States (USN), Australia (RAAF), Kuwait
What Weapons Does The F/A-18 Super Hornet Carry?
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is armed with an internal 20mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon and 11 hardpoints carrying 17,750 lbs of weapons, including AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X, AGM-84 Harpoon, and JSOW precision strike weapons.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
M61A2 Vulcan
Category
20 mm Rotary Cannon
Loadout
1 internal cannon (412 rounds)
Range
1,800 metres (effective)
AIM-120 AMRAAM
Category
Beyond-Visual-Range Missile
Loadout
Up to 12 missiles
Range
160 km (99 miles)
AIM-9X Sidewinder
Category
Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Loadout
Up to 2 missiles
Range
35 km (22 miles)
AGM-88 HARM
Category
Anti-Radiation Missile
Loadout
Up to 4 missiles
Range
150 km (93 miles)
AGM-158C LRASM
Category
Stealth Anti-Ship Missile
Loadout
Up to 4 missiles
Range
560 km (348 miles)
GBU-31 JDAM
Category
Precision-Guided Bomb (GPS)
Loadout
Up to 4 bombs
Range
24 km (15 miles)
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range

How Fast Is The F/A-18 Super Hornet?
The Super Hornet reaches Mach 1.8, around 1,190 mph. It is not the fastest fighter in service, and its larger airframe made it slower than the original Hornet, but it carries 33 percent more internal fuel and a far heavier weapons load. For carrier operations, range and bring-back weight matter more than top speed.

How Was The F/A-18 Super Hornet Developed?
Boeing developed the Super Hornet from the F/A-18C/D after the cancellation of the A-12 Avenger II left the Navy without a replacement for the A-6 and F-14. The airframe was enlarged by around 20 percent with a new wing, larger intakes and more powerful engines. The prototype flew on 29 November 1995.

Has The F/A-18 Super Hornet Seen Combat?
The Super Hornet has flown extensively over Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen. In June 2017 a Super Hornet shot down a Syrian Su-22, the first air-to-air kill by a US aircraft in almost two decades.
Who Operates The F/A-18 Super Hornet?
The United States Navy is the principal operator, with Australia and Kuwait as export customers. The EA-18G Growler electronic attack variant is also flown by the US Navy and Australia. Production for the US Navy is winding down in favour of the F-35C and the future F/A-XX.
F/A-18 Super Hornet FAQs
Common questions about the F/A-18 Super Hornet, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the F/A-18 Super Hornet as a civilian?
No, the F/A-18 Super Hornet is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the F/A-18 Super Hornet?
No, you cannot take the controls of the F/A-18 Super Hornet, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the F/A-18 Super Hornet cost?
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Are there weight limits on a jet flight instead of the F/A-18 Super Hornet?
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force is a jet flight instead of the F/A-18 Super Hornet?
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far ahead should I book a jet flight instead of the F/A-18 Super Hornet?
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.

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