(Photo visual: USN Kenneth Abbate, USS Ronald Reagan, November 2017)
Although the Hornet was becoming the back-bone attack-fighter for the US navy and Marine corps it still had some shortcomings. The C/D model didn’t fix them, so during the early 90s McDonnell Douglas and the Navy started looking into a highly upgraded version, christened the Super Hornet. Like the now called legacy Hornets it would become available in two versions, the E and F model. Later during the early 2000s, the platform was adapted for the Electronic Warfare (EW) role to replace the aging EA-6, as EA-18G Growler.
Development
Although a formidable attack-fighter, the legacy Hornet had four major shortcomings.
- Range;
- Payload;
- Carrier landing weight;
- Platform growth possibilities.
To cope with these issues, McDonnell Douglas started looking into upgrading the Hornet. Several studies were done, known as Hornet II, Hornet 87 and Hornet 88. Meanwhile the competition was also looking into possible hornet replacements. Grumman was developing the A-6F Intruder II addressed a lot of the Hornet shortcomings. The project was cancelled in 1988 in favor of the A-12 project.
During the late 80s, McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics were also working on a different project called the Advanced Tactical Aircraft (ATA). It was a triangular tailless flying wing with stealth capabilities called the A-12 Advenger II. Due to the complexity and huge budget over-run the project was cancelled in January 1991.
162185, A-6F
Again, the Navy was facing a strike capability shortfall. So, Grumman proposed the Super Tomcat 21. An improved F-14D with greater range, improved aerodynamics, reduced radar cross section, new radar / FLIR and laser designator and a helmet mounted display. Meanwhile at McDonnell Douglas the Hornet upgrade studies were gaining traction. The Hornet 2000 proposal included a large delta wing with canards. Later this was found to be too risky, so it was dropped for a more conventual, yet larger wing setup.
157986, F-14 Super Tomcat
20 July 1992, during delivery of the last F-14 to the Navy, it was decided that McDonnell Douglas could proceed with the development of the next generation Hornets, now called the Super Hornet. The remaining budget for the F-14D was shifted to the Super Hornet ending the long history of Grumman as an aircraft builder.
McDonnell Douglas St. Louis facility directly started with the build of the first F/A-18E, known as E1. Five additional E models (single-seat) were built, together with two F models (dual-seat) to serve as EMD (evaluation) airframes. E1 rolled off the manufacturing line on September 18, 1995.
Improvements
Compared to the classic Hornet models, the airframe got some significant improvements:
First the larger overall size, four feet longer. Providing additional fuel space. 30.000 pounds of fuel compared to the 16.000 of the F/A-18C. Also the wingspan was increased. 100 sq in. additional wing area. Also the wing leading edge (LEX) was enlarged and horizontal stabilizers.
An obvious change, making recognizing the E/F models easy are the changed air intakes. Instead of the oval intakes, Rhomboid-shaped air inlets, resembling those of the F-22, are used. This also contributes to better stealth characteristics of the aircraft. Next to that some areas were treated with RAM (radar absorbing material) coatings.
The engines were also improved by installing two F414-GE-400 powerplants, delivering 35% additional trust over the original F404 engines.
Also avionics and sensors were upgraded and a Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) was introduced, increasing the pilots data awareness.
The Block II improvements were introduced on newly build aircraft from 2005. Main upgrade was the new APG-79 AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar. From 2008 earlier Super Hornet aircraft were retro fitted with the new radar.
F/A-18E/F operational service
The Super Hornet first entered U.S. Navy fleet service in 1999, after low‑rate and then full‑rate production began in 1997. Initial operational capability (IOC) was declared in September 2001 with Strike Fighter Squadron 115 (VFA‑115) at NAS Lemoore, California, making it the first operational F/A‑18E/F squadron.
VFA‑115 received its “safe for flight” designation in 2001 and was equipped from the outset with modern precision weapons such as JSOW, 2,000‑lb JDAM, AIM‑120C AMRAAM, ATFLIR targeting pods, and buddy‑store refueling capability. The type passed its operational test and evaluation around March 2000, including extensive carrier operations and participation in large exercises like Red Flag.
The first operational cruise for the Super Hornet began in July 2002 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN‑72) with VFA‑115 embarked.
The F/A‑18E/F gradually supplanted the F‑14 Tomcat, which retired from U.S. Navy service in 2006, and has also been replacing older F/A‑18A–D Hornets as the backbone of carrier air wings. By the 2010s, Super Hornets constituted the bulk of U.S. Navy strike fighter squadrons.
Blue angels
In 2018 it was decided that the US Navy display team Blue Angels would replace the F/A-18C/D with the Super Hornet. Nine F/A-18Es and two F/A-18Fs were converted and the last was delivered in 2021.
Australia
A44-216, F/A-18F
In 2007 the Australian government signed a contract, acquiring 24 F/A-18Fs to replace the F-111. At first the aircraft was meant to be a temporary solution until another replacement was found. The idea was abandoned and 24 Block II Hornets were ordered. Later, in 2009, 12 of the ordered aircraft would be converted as EA-18G Growlers.
The first 5 F/A-18s arrived in Australia on 26 March 2010. After 4 more arrived the first squadron was operational end 2010.
In 2012 it was announced that 12 newly build EA-18Gs were acquired instead of converted airframes.
In the end Australia operated 24 F/A-18Fs and 12 EA-18G. With the introduction of the F-35 into the RAAF, the F/A-18F will be retired (not before 2030).
Kuwait
In 2018 the Kuwaiti government ordered 22 F/A-18Es and 6 F/A-18Fs. Due to the Covid pandemic deliveries were delayed. The first (803) made its first flight in September 2020. Most aircraft were delivered from September 2021 onward, although not all ordered were delivered yet (as of 2025).
Combat operations
VFA-115, the first operational Super Hornet unit, was also the first to take the type into combat. November 2002, two F/A-18Es attacked missile launchers at Al Kut, Iraq and a bunker at Tallil Air Force Base during operation Southern Watch.
The Super Hornet took part in operation Iraqi freedom (2nd gulf war) from 2003 till 2010. Again VFA-115 was one of the early units involved. VFA-14, -41, -154, -147 were also involved. In 2006 VFA-211 dropped bombs on Taliban fortifications in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Enduring Freedom was running at the same time as Iraqi Freedom, both seeing F/A-18E/F involvement.
During the 2006-2007 period also some sorties were flown off the Somali coast. VFA-131 and VFA-83 were involved, including legacy Hornets.
From 2014 onwards the US started a military campaign both in Iraq and Syria against Islamic State (ISIL), called Operation Inherent Resolve. Units involved:
AGM-88
F/A-18E: VFA-25, VFA-31, VFA-86, VFA-105, VFA-143, VFA-81
F/A-18F : VFA-32, VFA-11, VFA-22, VFA-103, VFA-143, VFA-211, VFA-213
EA-18G VAQ-130, VAQ-140
Australian Super Hornets were also assisting in the operation. eight RAAF F/A-18Fs, along with a KC-30A tanker, an early warning aircraft deployed to the United Arab Emirates to take part in operations against Islamic State (IS) militants. On 8 October 2014, an RAAF F/A-18F conducted its first attack, dropping two bombs on an ISIL facility in northern Iraq.
In July 2017 the first Super Hornet air-to-air kill was noted. Also the first since 1999. A F/A-18E from VFA-87 shot down a Syrian Su-22 with a AIM-120. The “Fitter” had bombed a position held by US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The hornet crew had first fired an AIM-9X which missed.
December 2023, Super Hornets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, shot down 12 Houthi attack drones, two cruise missiles and three anti-ship missiles. Later in 2024 several Houthi positions were attacked inside Yemen in the same conflict with the help of the USAF and RAF.
Future development, Block III
Block III improvements
Walkaround on the block III improvements.
To increase foreign sales, Boeing started the development of an Advanced Super Hornet. This led to the proposed Block III Super Hornet. In 2018 the US Navy planned 110 newly build F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornets and the retrofit of 364 Block II aircraft.
The Block III standard included six major upgrades, including the low-profile, no-drag and lift generating fuel tanks (CFTs) mounted atop of the fuselage, similar to the “saddle tanks” used on modern F-16 variants. Adding an additional 120 miles to the range. Another obvious change is the centerline mounted low-observable external weapons pod.
Other upgrades include the Advanced Cockpit System (ACS), introducing a single 11 x 19” display instead of the MFDs. This is a similar setup as the F-35. Also the IRST21 system will be integrated, the latest processor datalink package available. New sensors and system derived from the EA-18, reduction of the radar signature and structural enhancements.
EA-18G Growler
One of the most important pillars of modern warfare is Electronic warfare or EW. For years the EA-6 was the backbone supporting lots of missions including B-2 and F-117 attacks. A dedicated aircraft for EW missions was first used during the Vietnam war when the Air Force relied heavily on the EB-66 Destroyer. Later this role was taken over by the Navy’s EKA-3 Skywarrior and after that by the EA-6 Prowler, which was in fact a stretched / modified A-6 Intruder. Most obvious was de extension of the cockpit with 2 additional seats. The aircraft was operated by a pilot and 3 Electronic Countermeasure officers (ECMOs). Next to the “football” antenna on top of the vertical stabilizer up to five AN/ALQ-99 jamming pods could be carried.
WB-66 Destroyer
RA-3 Skywarrior
EA-6B Prowler
After years of service and several upgrades , the EA-6 reached its end of life and the search was on for a replacement aircraft. In 1993 McDonnell Douglas started a study to see if the F/A-18F could be adapted to take this role and take on the required hardware as well.
In 2000 VX-23 stared flying the first demonstrator F1 aircraft (Buno. 165166) which had the AN/ALQ-218 system fitted. This consisted of additional avionics fitted in the gun bay and two pods replacing the wingtip AIM-9 rails. Next to that up to five AN/ALQ-99 pods could be carried. In 2003 the Navy formally chose the now called EA-18G as EA-6B replacement.
With the improvements in electronics the package can now be operated by a single ECMO, so together with the pilot only a two men crew is needed. The AN/ALQ-218 pods search for hostile emitters, when found the AN/ALQ-99 takes over by jammer in the range from 64 megahertz till 40 gigahertz.
Next to the EW capability the aircraft is also used for SEAD (search and destroy) missions of enemy radar sites. Like the EA-6, two AGM-88 HARM or AGM-88E AARGM can be carried next to the jamming pods. For self defense also two AIM-120 AMRAAMs can be fitter on the intake cheeks (station 5 and 7).
Late 2024 the next generation jamming pod ALQ-249 was tested successfully on the EA-18G.
Operational service
VAQ-129 was the first unit accepting the new EA-18G on 3 June 2008. First carrier landing was done a year later aboard the USS Harry S. Truman. The “Growler” was first deployed was in 2011. During radio calls the aircraft is referred to as “Grizzly” as Growler sounded to much like Prowler causing confusions.
First combat use was during operation Odyssey Dawn, enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya in 2011.
24 February 2024, an EG-18G from VAQ-130 deployed on the Dwight D. Eisenhower destroyed a Mi-24 used by the Houthi militia. The Hind was apparently struck by a AGM-88E AARGM while on the ground. The EA-18G also scored its first air-to-air kill, downing a Houthi drone.
Currently 153 aircraft are in service with 20 units. See our unit overview in the next part of this article.
Australia
February 2009, Australia announced that 12 of 24 ordered F/A-18Fs would be fit out as EA-18Gs. The first were delivered July 2015. May 2013 they announced an additional 12 would be bought direct of the factory line.
Uniquely the Australian Growlers are fitted with the AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR targeting pod. Also they have the capability, unlike the US variants, to fire the AIM-9X sidewinder. They aircraft are based at RAAF Amberley with 6 squadron.
Two aircraft were lost in 2018 due to engine fires. They fleet was grounded for some time during the investigation which pointed out a broken high pressure compressor caused the issues.
2023, as part of an upgrade program the 12 aircraft in service will be fitted with improved sensors, longer range missiles and new jamming pods.
Specifications
|
F/A-18E/F |
EA-18G |
| Measurements |
Length: 18.31m (60ft, 1.25in), Wingspan: 13.62m (44ft, 8.5in), Height: 4.88m (16ft 0in). |
Length: 18.31m (60ft, 1.25in), Wingspan: 13.62m (44ft, 8.5in), Height: 4.88m (16ft 0in). |
| Powerplant |
2 × General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans, 13,000 lbf (58 kN) thrust each dry, 22,000 lbf (98 kN) with afterburner |
2 × General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans, 14,000 lbf (62 kN) thrust each dry, 22,000 lbf (98 kN) with afterburner |
| Fuel and load |
21,320 kg (47,000 lb), typical fighter load. |
21,772 kg (48,000 lb), gross weight. |
| Max. Speed |
1915 km/h (1190 mph) Mach 1.8. |
1900 km/h (1190 mph) Mach 1.8. |
| Service ceiling |
15,000 m (50,000 ft) |
15,000 m (50,000 ft) |
| Range |
2346 km (1275 nmi), unrefueled |
2346 km (1275 nmi), unrefueled |
| Crew and equipment |
E model:1, F model:2, M61A2 gun, 11 hardpoints. |
2 crew, no gun and 9 hardpoints. Typically multiple AN/ALQ-99 High Band Jamming Pods. |
On the next page we will look into all F/A-18 operating units for both the US Navy and US Marines. We'll look into the history of the F/A-18 types they operated and current state.