F/A-18 Super Hornet Hi-Speed Low-Level Maneuvers That’ll Blow You Mind

F/A-18 Super Hornet Hi-Speed Low-Level Maneuvers That’ll Blow You Mind | World War Wings Videos

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A product of both Boeing and Douglas, the F/A-18 Hornet is known as a multirole fighter, among the first of its kind. It had its first takeoff in November of 1978 and is still in service all around the world.

An F/A-18C Hornet in transonic flight producing flow-induced vapor cone. | Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Travis K. Mendoza / Public Domain

Manufactured with either one or two seats, the Hornet is used as a carrier attack plane by the U.S. Navy and as a fighter by the Marines. Whether in the hands of one or the other, the Hornet is perfectly capable of switching roles mid-mission.

This video was taken during exercises of the USS Enterprise picture above. | Mate Airman Rob Gaston / Public Domain

Powered by two General Electric turbofans, the F/A-18 was also the first to have its wings built from carbon fiber and to have flight controls that are digital fly by wire. With a wingspan of 40 ft. and a top takeoff weight of 52,000 lbs., the Hornet can reach a top speed of 1,200 mph and reach a ceiling of 50,000 ft. Among its vast weaponry, the plane can load:

  • one M61A1 Vulcan Gatling cannon
  • air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles
  • Hydra 70 rockets.

A reliable and enduring aircraft, the F/A-18 Hornet was used in many conflicts since 1986 like the Gulf War in which it brought down Mig-21’s belonging to the Iraqi army. Its reliability made it a perfect multinational fighter, and although it’s no spring chicken, the Hornet is now also in the service of countries like Canada, Australia, Finland, and many others.

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