Boeing F/A-18 Hornet

Developed from ????'s unsuccessful contender for the USAF Light Weight Fighter program, the YF-17. Originally intended to be built in separate F-18 and A-18 versions the two roles were combined into the one airframe and the aircraft became commonly known as the F/A-18. The initial single seat A model and the two seat B model entered service in the early 1980's. Besides serving with the USN and USMC the early A and B models were also purchased by Australia, Canada and Spain. These nations aircraft are currently undergoing upgrades, in some cases bringing the aircraft up to a standard roughly comparable with the later C and D models. The first C model aircraft flew in 1986. Major improvement include improved avionics and a new central computer.
The C model also introduces the AIM-120 and AGM-65 missiles to the aircraft's arsenal. Night Attack Hornets are NVG compatible and carry FLIR and laser designator pods. After 1992 aircraft feature more powerful engines while the improved APG-73 radar was introduced in 1994.
Versions:
Australia: decision to purchase 75 announced 20 October 1981, deliveries started 17 May 1985, last of 57 single seat and 18 two seat Hornets delivered16 May 1990, Hornet replaced Mirage III. Surviving 74 fitted with F/A-18C/D avionics from 1990 and provision for AN/AAS-38 LRMTS pod from 1991.

Operating units:
No. 2 OCU, Williamtown
No 3 Squadron, Williamtown (August 1986)
No 77 Squadron, Williamtown
No 75 Squadron, Tindal

Canada: order for 98 CF-81As and 40 two-seat CF-18B announced 10 April 1980, first flight 29 July 1982,deliveries between 25 October 1982 and September 1988. Differs from US F/A-18A/Bs in having in-flight
identification spotlight in port side on fuselage, and provision for
19-tube CRV-7 70mm rockets.

Operating units:
No 410 OCU, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, no longer active
No 411 squadron, Bagotville, Quebec (from 1990s)
No 416 squadron, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta
No 441 squadron, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta
No 425 squadron, Bagotville, Quebec
No 433 squadron, Bagotville, Quebec
No 4 Fighter Wing
/No 1 Air Division, Baden, Sollingen, Germany, no longer active
No 421 squadron
No 439 squadron

Finland: seven F/A-18Ds and 57 F/A-18Cs selected 6 May 1992, first
aircraft flown 5 April 1995.

Operating units:

Kuwait: contract signed September 1988 for 32 F/A-18Cs and eight F/A-18Ds, first flight19 September 1991, first three delivered 25 January 1992, final delivery 23 August 1993, additional purchased planned.

Operating units:
No. 9 Squadron
No. 25 Squadron (25 January 1992)

Malaysia: order for eight USMC-standard F/A-18Ds 29 June 1993, first
delivery 1997.

Operating units:

Spain: purchase of 60 single-seat and 12 two-seat Hornets announced 30 May 1983, cut from a planned total of 84. Deliveries began 10 July 1986. Agreement in 1992 to upgrade Spanish aircraft to F/A-18A+/B+ standard, close to F/A-18C/D, 71 converted between September 1992 and March 1994.

Operating units:
Ala de Caza 12 (12th Fighter Wing), Torrejon
Escuadrone 121
Escuadrone 122
Ala de Caza 15, Zaragoza (December 1985, IOC December 1987)
Escuadrone 151
Escuadrone 152

Switzerland: 26 F/A-18Cs and eight F/A-18Ds ordered October 1988 to replace frontline F-5Es, deliveries from February 1996.

Operating units: unknown

USA:
F/A-18A: total of 371 F/A-18As and 39 two seat F/A-18Bs (not included in database) to USN and USMC as escort fighters to replace F-4s and as attack aircraft to replace A-7s.

VFA-113 at NAS Cecil Field, Florida (1 February 1985)
VFA-125 at NAS Leemore, California - Training Squadron (November 1980)
VMFA-312 (CN from 5 August 1991)
VMFA-314 at MCAS El Toro (October 1983)
VMFA(AW)-121 (DN from April 1990)
VMFA(AW)-225 (DN from 1 July 1991)
VMFA(AW)-242 'Batmen'

F/A-18C: 137 aircraft purchased FY86 and FY87, first flight 3 September 1987. Modification includes provision for up to six AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles (two on fuselage and two on each outboard pylon), up to four imaging IR Maverick missiles, MIL-STD-1553B armament multiplex bus with MIL-STD-1760 weapon interface capability.
F/A-18C Night Attack: 421 aircraft purchased between FY88 and FY96, first flight of prototype 6 May 1988, delivered 1 November 1989. UPgrades includes AN/APG-73 radar, night vision goggles, AN/AAR-50 TINS pods, AN/AAS-38 NITE Hawk FLIR.
F/A-18D Night Attack: Dedicated two-seat strike aircraft for the USMC, total of 96 delivered.

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