F-18 Strike Fighter Hornet

In the 1990s, the design underwent a major redevelopment, resulting in the much larger Super Hornet. After Boeing acquired McDonnell Douglas in 1997, Boeing became responsible for the production, development, and modernization of the entire Super Hornet fleet, as well as its electronic warfare variant. Boeing delivered hundreds of these aircraft, which, after the retirement of the legendary F-14 Tomcat in 2006 and the A-6 Intruder attack aircraft, became the only type of combat aircraft deployed aboard American aircraft carriers, until the arrival of the F-35C.

Multirole Carrier-Based Aircraft

The unique “F/A” designation, standing for Fighter/Attack, assigned when the aircraft entered service, revolutionized U.S. Navy doctrine. For the first time, a single aircraft type was equally effective in air combat and in precision attacks against land and naval targets during the same mission. Hornets are adapted for extremely demanding aircraft carrier operations under the CATOBAR system, requiring powerful catapult launches and harsh arrested landings using a tailhook.

The family is divided into two generations:

“Legacy” Hornet — F/A-18A/B/C/D

These are smaller, lighter aircraft, currently being phased out by the U.S. Navy, but still forming the backbone of the U.S. Marine Corps aviation fleet and the air forces of many allied countries.

Super Hornet — F/A-18E/F

These are significantly larger and more modern aircraft, with increased range and payload capacity. The “E” version is single-seat, while the “F” version is two-seat and is often used for missions requiring a weapon systems officer.

EA-18G Growler

This is a specialized Super Hornet variant, based on the F/A-18F airframe, designed for electronic warfare. Its mission is to jam enemy radars and air defense systems, providing a “safety umbrella” for strike groups.

The main and largest user is the U.S. Navy, which operates only Super Hornets and Growlers, as well as the U.S. Marines, who still use the older C/D versions while awaiting full re-equipment with the F-35B/C. The Hornet has also proved to be a major export success, valued for its reliability — two engines are crucial for flight safety over the sea — and versatility. Its users include:

Canada and Australia: Long-term operators that have modernized their fleets. Australia also purchased Super Hornets and Growlers as a bridge to the F-35.

Spain, Finland, and Switzerland: European countries that selected the Hornet as their primary multirole fighter. In recent years, Finland and Switzerland decided that the F-35 would replace their Hornets, although the process will take years.

The F/A-18 is one of the hardest-working combat aircraft in the world. Its combat debut took place during operations in Libya in 1986, during Operation El Dorado Canyon. Its true test came during Desert Storm in 1991, where Hornets proved their multirole capabilities by shooting down Iraqi MiGs and bombing ground targets during the same mission.

They later took part in the wars in the Balkans, formed the backbone of strike forces during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq, dropping thousands of tons of precision bombs and providing close air support to ground forces. They were also key assets in the 2011 intervention in Libya and in ongoing operations against ISIS and other terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Key Specifications and Evolution — Super Hornet Block III

Despite its visual similarity, the Super Hornet is approximately 25% larger than the classic Hornet. It has 33% more internal fuel, 41% greater range, and more powerful General Electric F414 engines. Its air intakes are rectangular, unlike the rounded intakes of earlier versions, which helps reduce its radar signature.

Durability: The reinforced landing gear and airframe structure are designed to withstand thousands of brutal carrier landings, making it one of the toughest aircraft in the world.

Block III Modernization: The latest standard, which the U.S. Navy has received in recent years, ensures that Super Hornets will remain in service well beyond 2030, operating as a complement to the F-35C.

The Block III version includes:

Conformal Fuel Tanks — CFTs: Mounted on the upper fuselage, they increase range without occupying weapon stations or increasing drag significantly.

Advanced Cockpit: Multiple analog indicators are replaced by one large touchscreen display.

AESA Radar and Network-Centric Capability: A powerful active electronically scanned array radar and systems that allow real-time data exchange with F-35s and ships through sensor fusion.

Extended Service Life: Structural reinforcement allowing the aircraft to fly up to 10,000 hours.

Thanks to its omnipresence in the media and pop culture, including its leading role in the film Top Gun: Maverick, the distinctive silhouette of the “Hornet,” with its angled vertical stabilizers, has become an icon of naval aviation.

The F-18 Strike Fighter Hornet brick set, Reobrix 33022, is a treat for fans of Top Gun and military technology. Made up of 1,387 pieces, the model allows you to build a detailed replica of this combat aircraft, including its heavy-duty landing gear, folding wingtips — a key feature of carrier-based aircraft — and an extensive set of suspended weaponry.

Feel like a Navy pilot — choose your model and order it here: Combat Aircraft