McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet Facts for Kids

The F/A-18 Hornet is a fast fighter jet that can do many jobs. It was first made by McDonnell-Douglas and is now built by Boeing. This amazing aircraft first flew in 1978 and started being used in 1983. The main user of the F/A-18 Hornet is the United States Navy.

One special thing about the F/A-18 is that it can take off and land on aircraft carriers. This is because of its unique design. The F/A-18 can attack targets both in the air and on the ground. An aircraft that can do both of these jobs is called "multi-role." The Hornet is also flown by the famous Blue Angels aerobatic team.

Who Uses the F/A-18 Hornet?
- United States
  - Blue Angels
- Australia
What Weapons Can the Hornet Carry?
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Who Uses the F/A-18 Hornet?

The F/A-18 Hornet is used by several countries around the world, including the United States Navy.

United States

The United States Marine Corps currently uses 143 F/A-18 aircraft. They plan to keep using these Hornets until the early 2030s.

The U.S. Navy used the F/A-18C Hornet for a long time. Its last big mission at sea was on the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, ending in March 2018. The Navy officially stopped using the F/A-18C for active duty in February 2019. However, some reserve units still use them, mainly for training against other aircraft.

Blue Angels

The Blue Angels are a famous flight demonstration team from the U.S. Marine Corps. They fly the F/A-18 Hornet in amazing airshows. Before they used the Hornet, they flew the A-4 Skyhawk.

Australia

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bought 57 F/A-18A and 18 F/A-18B Hornets in 1981. The F/A-18B model was used for training pilots. These Hornets replaced their older Mirage III jets. The Australian Hornets are a bit different from the U.S. versions. The RAAF removed the parts that allow the plane to land on aircraft carriers. This is because Australia does not have aircraft carriers big enough for these planes.

What Weapons Can the Hornet Carry?

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Flying

The F/A-18 Hornet can carry many different types of weapons. These include bombs, missiles, rockets, and a powerful gun. It can also carry special "pods" that give the aircraft more abilities. For example, a Litening targeting pod helps the pilot see targets on the ground and guide bombs to hit them accurately.

Bombs

The Hornet can carry various bombs for different missions:

Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)
Paveway laser guided bombs (these bombs are guided by the targeting pod)
Mk80 bombs (general purpose bombs)
CBU100 cluster bomb
B81 and B83 nuclear bombs

Rockets

For shorter-range attacks, the Hornet can use rockets:

2.75 inch (70 mm) Hydra 70 rockets
5 inch (127.0 mm) Zuni rockets

Missiles

The F/A-18 Hornet carries many types of missiles for both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.

Air-to-Air Missiles

These missiles are used to shoot down other aircraft:

Aim-120 AMRAAM
Aim-9 Sidewinder
Aim-132 ASRAAM
Iris-T
Aim-7 Sparrow

Air-to-Ground Missiles

These missiles are used to attack targets on the ground or at sea:

AGM-65 Maverick
AGM-88 HARM
AGM-164 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW)
Taurus Cruise Missile

Anti-Ship Missiles

AGM-84 Harpoon (used to attack ships)

Images for kids

YF-16 and YF-17 prototypes being tested by the U.S. Air Force
The Northrop YF-17 Cobra was developed into the carrier-capable F/A-18.
First preproduction F-18A in October 1978
US Navy F/A-18C during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002
F/A-18C Hornet performing a high-g pull-up. The high angle of attack causes powerful vortices to form at the leading edge extensions.
F/A-18C Hornet in transonic flight producing flow-induced vapor cone
Exhaust nozzles of an RAAF F/A-18
An F/A-18A Hornet from VFA-132 Privateers in flight, circa 1985
Blue Angels' No. 6 F/A-18A
NF101, an F/A-18A Hornet assigned to VFA-195 Dambusters aboard the USS Midway, CV-41 in the 1991 Gulf War.
Three RAAF F/A-18As in 2013
Canadian CF-188A Hornet off Hawaii. Note the "false cockpit" on the underside of the aircraft for confusing enemy pilots during dogfights.
Finnish Air Force F/A-18 at Rissala Airport
An F/A-18 of the Kuwaiti Air Force
RMAF F/A-18D returning to base after a national day flypast
EF-18 A taking off and banking to the left on 2015
Hugo Wolf F/A-18C full-scale training simulator, X-5099
Swiss Air Force Hornet F/A-18C at RIAT 2019
An F/A-18B Hornet assigned to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School
An US Marine Corps F/A-18C of VMFA-323, launches off the flight deck of the USS Nimitz.
Marines perform maintenance on an F/A-18D of VMFA-242
A VFA-11 F/A-18F Super Hornet performing evasive maneuvers during an air power demonstration above USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)
X-53, NASA's modified F/A-18
F/A-18C of the Swiss Air Force taxis for takeoff
F/A-18 operators are in blue
Royal Malaysian Air Force Boeing F/A-18 Hornet during Cope Taufan 2012
U.S. Navy F/A-18C from VFA-131 launches from French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle off the Virginia Capes.
F/A-18A Hornets in various color schemes
F/A-18B Hornets in various color schemes
An F/A-18A Hornet on display at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.
F/A-18A on display at the Air Zoo
3-view drawing of the F/A-18 Hornet
VX-4 F/A-18 with ten AIM-120 AMRAAMs and two AIM-9 Sidewinders
M61 Vulcan on display at Miramar Airshow