An all-weather fighter and attack aircraft, the F/A-18 Hornet is a highly versatile combat jet capable of filling a wide range of roles, including fleet defense, close air support, interdiction, fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, and reconnaissance. Derived from the Northrop YF-17 fighter prototype for the U.S. Air Force, the Hornet was developed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop in answer to the U.S. Navy's call for a modern, carrier-capable replacement for the F-4 Phantom II and A-4 Skyhawk. First deployed in 1983, Hornets have served in every significant naval air campaign since. They have also famously equipped the Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Blue Angels, since 1987.

The Museum's F/A-18A was manufactured in 1986. It has a distinguished combat record, serving with VFA-87 aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during Operation Desert Storm and with VMFA-314 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) during Operation Southern Watch in Iraq and Operation Continue Hope in Somalia. Other assignments from its service history include flying with VFA-94 aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) during Operation Desert Fox and Operation Enduring Freedom and serving aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during Operation Iraqi Freedom. This accomplished Hornet joined the Blue Angels in early 2004 and served with the team until its retirement in 2016.

This aircraft loan is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola, Florida

Bureau Number:
163106
Wingspan:
40 ft, 4.75 in (12.31 m)
Length:
56 ft, 0 in (17.07 m)
Height:
15 ft, 3.5 in (4.66 m)
Wing Area:
400 ft² (37.16 m²)
Empty Weight:
23,050 lbs (10,455 kg)
Gross Weight:
56,000 lbs (25,401 kg)
Maximum Speed:
1,370 mph/2205 kmh (Mach 1.8) at 40,000 ft/12,190 m
Power Plant:
Two General Electric F404-GE-400 afterburning turbofans, each of 16,000-lbf (71.17 kN) thrust
Ferry Range:
2,400 mi. (3,860 km)

An all-weather fighter and attack aircraft, the F/A-18 Hornet is a highly versatile combat jet capable of filling a wide range of roles, including fleet defense, close air support, interdiction, fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, and reconnaissance. Derived from the Northrop YF-17 fighter prototype for the U.S. Air Force, the Hornet was developed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop in answer to the U.S. Navy's call for a modern, carrier-capable replacement for the F-4 Phantom II and A-4 Skyhawk. First deployed in 1983, Hornets have served in every significant naval air campaign since. They have also famously equipped the Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Blue Angels, since 1987.

The Museum's F/A-18A was manufactured in 1986. It has a distinguished combat record, serving with VFA-87 aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during Operation Desert Storm and with VMFA-314 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) during Operation Southern Watch in Iraq and Operation Continue Hope in Somalia. Other assignments from its service history include flying with VFA-94 aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) during Operation Desert Fox and Operation Enduring Freedom and serving aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during Operation Iraqi Freedom. This accomplished Hornet joined the Blue Angels in early 2004 and served with the team until its retirement in 2016.

This aircraft loan is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola, Florida

Bureau Number:
163106
Wingspan:
40 ft, 4.75 in (12.31 m)
Length:
56 ft, 0 in (17.07 m)
Height:
15 ft, 3.5 in (4.66 m)
Wing Area:
400 ft² (37.16 m²)
Empty Weight:
23,050 lbs (10,455 kg)
Gross Weight:
56,000 lbs (25,401 kg)
Maximum Speed:
1,370 mph/2205 kmh (Mach 1.8) at 40,000 ft/12,190 m
Power Plant:
Two General Electric F404-GE-400 afterburning turbofans, each of 16,000-lbf (71.17 kN) thrust
Ferry Range:
2,400 mi. (3,860 km)