Celebrating 20 Years of RAAF Hornet Operations
 
   
 
 

CAPABILITY OVERVIEW – F/A-18A/B Hornet

The F/A-18A/B Hornet is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter capable of performing both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. The A model is a single seat aircraft whilst the B model accommodates a crew of two. Unlike later model Hornets, the rear seat is not configured for a Weapon Systems Operator (WSO). The RAAF Hornets are currently being upgraded to F/A-18C/D standard under the Hornet Upgrade Program (HUG) and all data listed is for post-HUG Phase 2.2 Hornets.

DIMENSIONS

Length – 17.1m
Wingspan – 12.3m
Overall Height – 4.7m

WEIGHTS

Basic Empty Weight – 23 500lb
Maximum Takeoff Weight – 56 000lb
Maximum Weapons Load – 15 500lb

PERFORMANCE

Ceiling- 50 000ft
G Limit - +7.5 to –3
Speed

  • Maximum – M2.0 (40 000ft)
  • Maximum at Sea Level – M1.0
  • Normal Cruise – M0.85

Range

  • Ferry – 1 800nm
  • Interdiction (hi-lo-lo-hi) – 290nm
  • Precision Strike – 340nm

Fuel

  • Normal Internal Fuel – 1 670US Gal, 10 860lb
  • Maximum Fuel (3 x 330 US Gal Tanks) – 2 660US Gal, 17 339lb

Engines

  • 2 x General Electric F404-GE-400 turbofans
  • Maximum Thrust (a/b) – 16 000lb st (71.2kN) each
  • Military Power – 10 700lb st (47.6kN) each

COST

Unit – USD $25 million

MAJOR SUBSYSTEMS

Communications

  • ARC-210 (HQII) UHF/VHF radio
  • MIDS Link 16 Datalink

Navigation

  • Tactical Aircraft Moving Map Capability (TAMMAC)
  • Embedded GPS and INS

 Sensors

  • APG-73 mechanically-scanned, pulse-doppler radar
  • AAS-38 FLIR pod (to be replaced under HUG 2.4)
  • APX-111 Combined Interrogator Transponder (CIT)
  • Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS)

 Electronic Warfare

  • ALR-2002 RWR (fitted under HUG 2.3)
  • ALQ-126B RF Jammer (to be replaced under HUG 2.3)
  • ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CDMS)

MAIN ARMANENT

Gun

  • Internal M61A1 20mm Gun

Air-to-Air

  • AIM-7 Semi-Active Radar Homing Missile (20nm)
  • AIM-120 Active Radar Guided Missile (27+nm)
  • AIM-132 IR Guided Missile (8nm)

Air-to-Surface

  • AGM-84 Harpoon (60+nm)
  • GBU-10/12 Laser Guided Bombs
  • Mk-80 Series Unguided Bombs

Tanks

  • Up to 3 x 330 US Gal Tanks

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