The McDonnel Douglas F/A-18A/B/C Hornet and its successor, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, represent significant advancements in multi-role combat aircraft developed for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. While the two aircraft share a common lineage, they differ in size, performance, and technological sophistication.
The original F/A-18 Hornet, jointly developed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop Corporation, began its journey in the late 1970s. Its prototype was first flown in 1978, and by 1981, it entered official service. By 1983, the Hornet was declared combat-ready and played a pivotal role in its first military operation over Libya in 1986. The aircraft’s versatility was demonstrated in its ability to execute a wide range of missions, making it an essential tool in the Navy’s arsenal. Over the course of production, McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) delivered more than a thousand units, including single-seat and dual-seat variants.
The Super Hornet’s development was inspired by the need to enhance the original design’s operational capabilities. Beginning with conceptual studies in 1987, the program gained momentum by the early 1990s, culminating in the flight of the first prototypes in the mid-1990s. By 1999, the F/A-18 Super Hornet had officially joined the fleet, achieving combat readiness just two years later. Its debut in active combat operations occurred in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Differences
Size and weight distinguish the Super Hornet from its predecessor. With a fuselage length of 18.38 meters, it is over a meter longer than the original Hornet. Its larger wingspan and taller frame further enhance aerodynamic stability and improve carrier landing performance. The Super Hornet’s increased size comes with greater weight, with its maximum takeoff weight exceeding the Hornet’s by more than 14,000 pounds.
Despite being slightly slower at a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 compared to the Hornet’s Mach 1.8, the Super Hornet benefits from more powerful engines. Each General Electric F414 engine generates 22,000 pounds of thrust, a notable improvement over the Hornet’s F404 engines. This added power enables the Super Hornet to take off from carriers without afterburners, offering greater fuel efficiency.
The increased internal fuel capacity of the Super Hornet provides a longer operational range and endurance, with external tanks extending its reach by up to 50%. Additionally, the aircraft incorporates 11 weapon stations, compared to the Hornet’s nine, granting it enhanced payload flexibility. While both models support a wide array of munitions, the Super Hornet’s design prevents it from deploying Hydra rockets due to the orientation of its wing pylons.
Lower radar cross-section also differentiates the Super Hornet. Its design incorporates radar-absorbent materials and refined edges, reducing its radar cross-section by approximately 25%. This feature enhances its survivability in contested environments.
Technological upgrades in avionics further set the Super Hornet apart. Unlike the Hornet’s earlier radar systems, the Super Hornet is equipped with the advanced AN/APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar, providing superior target tracking and imaging capabilities. Its integration of the AN/ASQ-228 Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) system consolidates targeting and navigation into a single, efficient platform. Furthermore, the Super Hornet supports reconnaissance missions with high-resolution imaging pods like the AN/ASD-12 SHARP.
The pilot experience has also been significantly improved. Advanced cockpit displays and systems like the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) provide unparalleled situational awareness and targeting precision, ensuring effectiveness in diverse combat scenarios.
Hence, it is safe to say that the F/A-18C Hornet and the F/A-18E Super Hornet are two different aircraft despite sharing the same lineage. The Super Hornet has become a more capable multi-role fighter for the U.S. Navy and other nations using it.
