The technological excellence of the Boeing F-18 Super Hornet, the 28-year-old fighter that refuses to die

The production of the F-18 Super Hornet has an expiration date. Boeing stop manufacturing the mythical fighter-bomber at the end of 2025although there is the possibility that the term is extended until 2027 in case the international demand justifies it.

The American manufacturer has just taken an important step to put an end to this legend that began 40 years ago in the days of McDonnell Douglas with the inauguration of the series. Now, however, the world seems to want more modern aircraft.

The F-18 marked a before and after in military aviation. The fact that throughout its history more than 2,000 units and that these have become an icon of the armed forces of various countries speaks of their incredible capabilities.

Let’s see, then, the distinctive attributes of the most advanced model in the series, the one that is still being manufactured, and that will go down in history with a well-deserved crown of laurels. We are talking about the F-18 Super Hornet, the second evolution since the beginning of the program.

An advanced (and upgradable) fighter-bomber

This fighter-bomber, According to the United States Navyis a technologically advanced aircraft and highly versatile. As its name suggests, it combines the capabilities of chasing down an enemy and dropping bombs on its targets.

The F-18 Super Hornet stands out for its air superiority powers that allow it to execute missions in enemy airspace. It can also be used as an escort for other fighters, provide air support, reconnoitre areas from the sky, and deliver precision strikes at night.

With this set of features it is no wonder that the fighter has become the “backbone of the navy” US. This branch of the army, precisely, began to use the improved version of the fighter in 1999, as a replacement for the also mythical F-14 Tomcat (both planes appeared in the movie ‘Top Gun Maverick‘).

While the F-18 Super Hornet is based on the original F-14, the manufacturer implemented a series of drastic improvements that opened the door for a more convenient upgrade path going forward. The aircraft’s fuselage was built with an open mission systems architecture, allowing enhancements to be added through different ‘blocks’.

At the time of its introduction, this upgraded variant was configured with the so-called Block I. It was substantially larger than its predecessor, with a gross takeoff weight of 29,932 kg. With the arrival of the Block II (the one currently in production), an Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, sensors and improved avionics were incorporated.

In addition, the range was improved, extending its range to 2,346 kilometers and 3,054 kilometers with three additional fuel tanks. Fighters in this configuration, costing $67.4 million per unit, come with two General Electric F414 jet engines capable of speeds greater than Mach 1.8.

The weapons system was also improved, incorporating the necessary mechanisms and anchors to support a wide variety of projectiles. Specifically, we are talking about a 20mm M61A1/A2 Vulcan cannon and short-range AIM 9 Sidewinder missiles, an earlier version of the AIM 9X Sidewinder used by the United States to shoot down alleged Chinese spy balloons.

It can also go into combat, depending on its configuration with AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and Harm anti-radiation missiles. As well as AGM-154 glide bombs, laser-guided Paveway bombs, Mk 80 unguided bombs, CBU-78 Gator mines, and Mk-62/63/65 naval mines.

The capabilities of the F-18 Super Hornet have been put to the test in various war theaters. Two years after its introduction into the United States Navy, according to the Department of Defensethese fighters participated in their first mission in Iraq, the one known as Operation Southern Watchm, in AI Kut. Since then they have been operational in hundreds of orders.

Despite having established itself as one of the most successful combat aircraft in history, its days are now numbered. As we said, production will focus on more modern aircraft, such as Lockheed Martin’s F-35 and F-22. However, it will still play an important role in the armed forces of many countries.

Fifth generation fighters are much more expensive and costly to maintain. In addition, they are intended to be used in more specific missions. For less demanding tasks, these previous generation aircraft will continue to be a more than acceptable alternative, although of course, their production will have come to an end.

Images: United States Navy (1, 2, 3)

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