Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet

The Super Hornet is the substantially enlarged and redesigned offspring of the A/B/C/D model Hornet. With the cancellation of the A-12 program to replace the venerable A-6 and the retirement of the A-6 itself the USN urgently needed something to fill the gap. McDonnell Douglas's proposal for the Super Hornet to fill this gap attracted official interest and a development contract was signed in 1992. First flight was in 1995. The F/A-18E is 86cm longer than the F/A-18C and has a wing span more than two meters greater. The larger airframe allows for increased fuel tankage and a subsequent improvement in combat radius. The aircraft is however reported to be somewhat more sluggish in the air than the earlier Hornets. An EW variant is proposed, the F/A-18G Growler. Based on the two seat F model this would be a replacement for the EA-6B Prowler.

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