The F-18 Part 2: From Hornet to Super Hornet

The Super Hornet is an evolution of the Hornet, and just like the Hornet the Super Hornet is a multirole, twin engine, supersonic carrier capable fighter AND attack aircraft. Also similar to the Hornet, the Super Hornet’s notable features include: twin tails, folding wings, a tail section that has vertical stabilizers forward of the elevators, a unique extended wing design, Leading Edge Extensions or LEX, reinforced landing gear for carrier operations, and wingtip missile racks.  However unlike the Hornet, the Super Hornet has rectangular intake ramps, a larger “sawtooth” wing, and is about 20% larger than the Hornet.

With its larger wing, more powerful engines,  and extended combat radius, Super Hornets are used as fleet defenders, air superiority fighters, long range strike aircraft with precision guided weapons, fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, close air support, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and even tanker missions.  Essentially the Super Hornet is capable of performing every mission type in the tactical spectrum, making it the embodiment of a multirole fighter.

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