{
  "id": "f-a-18a-hornet",
  "name": "F/A-18A Hornet",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "air",
  "country": "USA",
  "category": "Multirole fighter aircraft",
  "status": null,
  "fielded": 1983,
  "operators": [
    "AUS",
    "MYS",
    "USA"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 4,
  "summary": "The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic, all-weather, carrier-capable, multirole combat jet, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft (hence the F/A designation).",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "McDonnell Douglas (1974–1997) with Northrop (1974–1994) Boeing (1997–present)",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 1,
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hardpoints",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "9 (2 wingtip, 2 outboard, 2 inboard wet, 2 nacelle, 1 fuselage centerline)",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 17.07,
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 4.66,
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 11.46,
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Wingspan"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Wing area",
      "section": "dims",
      "v": "37.16 m sq",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "mass_kg",
      "v": 12973,
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Empty weight"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "2 x General Electric F404-GE-400",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thrust / power",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "16,000 lb (71.17 kN) static thrust each with afterburner",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_kmh",
      "v": 1915,
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "ceiling_m",
      "v": 15240,
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Navigation Radar",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "1 x Hughes AN/AAR-50 TINS",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fire Control Radar",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "1 x AN/APG-65 multimode digital",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Infrared",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "1 x Lockheed Martin ASS-38B Nite Hawk FLIR",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "HUD",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "1 x Kaiser AN/AVQ-28 raster",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Radar Warning System",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "1 x Litton AN/ALR-67",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Chaff / flares",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "1 x Goodyear AN/ALE-39",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Decoys",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "1 x ADM-141 TALD",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Missile Systems: maximum capacity weight",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "7,030 kg) of missiles, bombs, drop tanks",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "AAM Mode",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "AIM-9M Sidewinder (two each can be mounted on the wingtip pylons), AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM (max AAM armament is 10 AMRAAMs and 2 AIM-9M)",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Attack Mode",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "4 x AGM-65 Maverick, 4 x AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84E SLAM, AGM-88 HARM, 4 x AGM-154 JSOW, AGM-158 JASSM, CBU-59, GBU-32 JDAM, many other guided and unguided dropped weapons",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "v": "1 x M61A1 Vulcan; AIM-7 Sparrow; AIM-120 AMRAAM",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "1 x M61A1 Vulcan",
      "role": "Autocannon",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Type": "Autocannon",
        "Caliber": "20 mmm"
      },
      "qty": "lineless feed from 1,020 to 1,200 round storage drum"
    },
    {
      "name": "AIM-7 Sparrow",
      "role": "Air-to-Air Missile",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Type": "Air-to-Air Missile",
        "Warhead": "1 x Mk 71 controlled fragmentation high-explosive",
        "Warhead weight": "39 kg",
        "Speed": "Mach 2.5",
        "Length": "3.66 m"
      },
      "range_km": 14
    },
    {
      "name": "AIM-120 AMRAAM",
      "role": "Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Type": "Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile",
        "Guidance": "Hughes I/J-band pulse-Doppler active radar w/pulse compression and programmable waveforms",
        "Warhead": "conventional high-explosive",
        "Warhead weight": "22 kg",
        "Speed": "Mach 4",
        "Length": "3.66 m"
      },
      "range_km": 50
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "F/A-18A and F/A-18B",
      "text": "The F/A-18A is the single-seat variant and the F/A-18B is the two-seat variant. The space for the two-seat cockpit is provided by a relocation of avionics equipment and a 6% reduction in internal fuel; two-seat Hornets are otherwise fully combat-capable.",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "F/A-18C and F/A-18D",
      "text": "The F/A-18C is the single-seat variant and the F/A-18D is the two-seat variant. The D-model can be configured for training or as an all-weather strike craft.",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "F/A-18E and F/A-18F",
      "text": "The single-seat F/A-18E and two-seat F/A-18F, both officially named Super Hornet, carry over the name and design concept of the original F/A-18 but have been extensively redesigned by McDonnell Douglas.",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Boeing EA-18G Growler",
      "text": "The EA-18G Growler is an electronic warfare version of the two-seat F/A-18F, which entered production in 2007. The Growler has replaced the Navy's EA-6B Prowler and carries a Naval Flight Officer as a second crewman in an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) role.",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "F-18(R)",
      "text": "This was a proposed reconnaissance version of the F/A-18A. It included a sensor package that replaced the 20 mm cannon. The first of two prototypes flew in August 1984. Small numbers were produced.",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "RF-18D",
      "text": "Proposed two-seat reconnaissance version for the US Marine Corps in the mid-1980s. It was to carry a radar reconnaissance pod. The system was canceled after it was unfunded in 1988. This ability was later realized on the F/A-18D(RC).",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "TF-18A",
      "text": "Two-seat training version of the F/A-18A fighter, later redesignated F/A-18B.",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "F-18 HARV",
      "text": "Single-seat High Alpha Research Vehicle for NASA. High angles of attack using thrust vectoring, modifications to the flight controls, and forebody strakes.",
      "src": [
        "weg-f-a-18a-hornet"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "fighter",
  "image": {
    "file": "f-a-18a-hornet.jpg",
    "thumb": "f-a-18a-hornet-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Clemens Vasters from Viersen, Germany, Germany",
    "license": "CC BY 2.0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boeing_F_A-18A_(28300962743).jpg",
    "title": "File:Boeing F A-18A (28300962743).jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-10",
      "change": "Added photo (CC BY 2.0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/f-a-18a-hornet.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-f-a-18a-hornet": {
      "title": "F/A-18A Hornet American Multirole Fighter Aircraft",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/F_A-18A_Hornet_American_Multirole_Fighter_Aircraft",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}