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F/A 18 |
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The F/A-18 Hornet is a multi role
fighter. It is designed for both air-to-air and air
to ground missions and is one of the most potent
fighter and accurate strike attack aircraft in the
world.
It is capable of air interception, air combat, close
air support of ground troops and interdiction of
enemy supply lines including shipping.
The F/A-18 is equipped with precision weapons
including a wide range of air-to air and
air-to-surface missiles, laser guided and
conventional bombs and is armed with a 20mm
nose-mounted cannon for ground and airborne targets,
with an ability to strike virtually any target under
nearly any conditions.
The F/A-18 is also capable of air-to-air refuelling
from our Air Force Boeing 707 aircraft.
The fleet is operated by numbers 78 and 81 Wings
within the Air Combat Group and includes three
operational squadrons, Nos.3, and 77 at Williamtown,
New South Wales and 75 at Tindal, Northern
Territory. No.2 Operational Conversion Unit is also
at Williamtown. The fleet has just undergone a major
avionics upgrade to ensure effective operations for
the next 10 to 15 years.
Developed for use by the US Navy and Marine Corps,
the F/A-18 is also used by Canada, Spain, Kuwait,
Switzerland, Finland and Malaysia. |
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Manufacturer |
Boeing |
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Role |
Multi role
fighter |
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Engine |
Two low
bypass F404-GE-400 turbofans with
afterburner -each 7,258kg thrust |
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Airframe |
Length:
17.1m Height: 4.7m |
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Wingspan |
12.4m |
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Weight |
10,660
basic, 20,412kg maximum |
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Range |
(Without
refuelling) ferrying 2,700km, combat
radius 740km, interdiction over 1,000km |
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Ceiling |
Above 45,000
feet |
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Weapons |
AIM-120
AMRAAM active radar guided missiles,
AIM-7 Sparrow radar guided medium range
missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder infra-red
seeking missiles, Harpoon anti-ship
missiles, conventional and laser guided
bombs, M61 20mm nose-mounted cannon |
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Avionics |
Hughes APG73
multimode radar, GPS, inertial
navigation system, VHF omni-directional
range/instrument landing System, two
mission computers, head-up cockpit
display, multi functional cathode ray
tube displays |
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Speed |
Mach 1.8
(2,200km/h) |
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Crew |
Pilot |
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Force Size
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Air Force
operates 71 F/A-18 aircraft, consisting
of 54 single seat 'A' models and 17 two
seat 'B' models |
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