Key Points and Summary: The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet has cemented itself as the U.S. Navy’s most reliable and versatile fighter. Since its introduction in 1999, it has excelled in air-to-air combat, precision strikes, and naval operations.
-The Super Hornet’s combat record includes engagements in Iraq, Syria, and against Houthi threats in the Red Sea. Its advanced avionics, weapons loadout, and ease of maintenance make it indispensable aboard America’s aircraft carriers.
The ‘Wall of Fire” detonates behind two U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornets during the 2022 Kaneohe Bay Air Show, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 13, 2022. The air show provided an opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of a Joint Force in the Indo-Pacific Region. The Kaneohe Bay Air Show, which contained aerial performances, static displays, demonstrations and vendors, was designed to express MCBH’s appreciation to the residents of Hawaii and their continued support of the installation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick King)
-While newer platforms like the F-35C bring stealth, the Super Hornet remains a formidable force.
-Could it be the greatest fighter in U.S. Navy history? Many argue that it already is.
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: The Navy’s Most Versatile Fighter Ever?
The F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are a series of American supersonic, twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft derived from the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The Super Hornet serves the US, Australia, and Kuwait armed forces. The F/A-18E single-seat and F tandem-seat variants are larger and more advanced versions of the F/A-18C and D Hornet, respectively.
The F/A-18E Super Hornet is considered an excellent fighter jet. It is recognized for its versatility, strong combat capabilities, and ability to perform multiple roles, including air-to-air combat and strike missions. This makes it a key component of the US Navy’s carrier air wings. However, compared to newer stealth fighters like the F-35, it may have limitations, such as stealth technology.
However, many consider the F/A-18E Super Hornet the best fighter in Navy history. That is putting it in some heady company.
The Super Hornet See Combat Quickly
The F/A-18 entered service with the US Navy in 1999. In 2002, the Super Hornet had its baptism of fire in Iraq. On November 6, 2002, two F/A-18Es conducted a “Response Option” airstrike in support of Operation Southern Watch on two surface-to-air missile launchers at Al Kut, Iraq, and an air defense command and control bunker at Tallil Air Base. One of the pilots dropped 2,000 lb (910 kg) JDAM bombs from the Super Hornet for the first time during combat.
In 2017, an F/A-18E was the first Super Hornet to shoot down an enemy aircraft and the first US aircraft to shoot down an enemy aircraft since 1991, when an F/A-18E shot down a Syrian Su-22 that had bombed an SDF position. The Syrian Democratic Forces was a US partner during the fight against ISIS. They were trained and advised by US Army Green Berets.
The Syrian government claimed that the Su-22 was bombing an ISIS position. But after being warned two times by an American E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, a Super Hornet of the Navy smoked the Su-22 out of the sky with AIM-120 AMRAAM.
A Royal Australian Air Force McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet (s/n A21-46) firing an AIM-7M Sparrow missile. The aircraft also carries another AIM-7, two AGM-84 Harpoon missiles and two AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles.
Houthis Learn The Hard Way
In late December 2023, Super Hornets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the destroyer USS Laboon destroyed 12 attack drones, three anti-ship missiles, and two ground attack cruise missiles fired by Houthi terrorists in the southern Red Sea.
After the Houthis kept attacking shipping in the Red Sea, the US and our allies decided to act. On January 12, 2024, US Navy Super Hornets, USAF, and RAF forces struck 60 targets at 16 locations using over 100 PGMs of various types.
F/A-18E Super Hornet Specs
The Super Hornet was built to be easy to maintain and has certainly lived up to that. Maintenance of technology-heave combat fighters is time-consuming. But doing maintenance on carrier jets is even more work. Super Hornets require half the maintenance time of an F-14 or an A-6.
The General Electric F404 engines are also easy to maintain. They are connected to the aircraft at just ten points and can be removed by a four-person team in just 20 minutes. Because of this, the Super Hornet had an excellent readiness record—over 80 percent.
-Length: 60.3 ft
-Height: 16 ft
-Wingspan: 44.9 ft
-Maximum takeoff weight: 66,000 lbs
-Airspeed: Mach 1.8+
-Ceiling: 50,000+ ft
-Propulsion: Two F414-GE-400 turbofan engines
-Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A2 Vulcan
-Missiles: AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AGM-65E/F Maverick, AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-158 JASSM, AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW)
-Bombs: JDAM bombs, Paveway series of laser-guided bombs, Mk 80 series unguided bombs
At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis, December 18, 2001 – After an early morning round of flight operations, an F/A-18 Hornet awaits the next round of combat flight operations aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) are supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Jayme Pastoric
The Ford-class Aircraft Carriers of the Navy are America’s power projection icons. And with flight decks crammed with F/A-18E Super Hornets and F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters are packed with more firepower than many nations have.
Not only can these aircraft stand up to the rigors of aerial combat, but they can also withstand hard carrier landings.
About the Author:
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 1945, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in other military publications.
