Description
McDonnell-Douglas / Northrop F / A-18 Hornet is an on-board fighter and attack aircraft capable of operating in all weather conditions., with the F/A E Super Hornet possessing 42% fewer structural elements than the original Hornet design. The General Electric F414 engine, developed from the Hornet’s F404, has 35% more power. The Super Hornet can return to an aircraft carrier with a larger load of unspent fuel and munitions than the original Hornet. The term for this ability is known as “bringback”. Bringback for the Super Hornet is in excess of 9,000 pounds (4,100 kg). The Super Hornet first flew in 1995. Full-rate production began in September 1997. The Super Hornet entered service with the United States Navy in 1999, replacing the F-14 Tomcat from 2006,