LATEST Ancient Prototypes of Proxy Warfare: The Economic and Logistical Burden of Roman and Persian Proxy Networks among Arab Tribes and Caucasian Powers
SEARCH
DB ONLINE
EN ▾
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
Photo: US Air Force · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
REC // INTEL FEED

McDonnellDouglasF/A-18Hornet

Multirole Fighters · United States · 1983
ADD TO COMPARE

McDonnellDouglasF/A-18Hornet

⚙ YF-17 Cobra variant
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet Photo: US Air Force · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Versatility
92
Air-to-Air Capability
88
Air-to-Ground Capability
85
Avionics
87
Range & Payload
80
Speed & Agility
85
Survivability
83
Reliability
90
Technology
82
Cost-Effectiveness
95
Origin United States
ManufacturerBoeing, Boeing Defense, Space & Security
CategoryMultirole Fighters
EraCold War
In service1983–2000
Operators8 countries
Quantity18
Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
87
Multirole Fighters MASS Rating
6/25
Cold War
10/88
All-Time
Multirole Fighters · 10 axes scored
Versatility
92
Air-to-Air Capability
88
Air-to-Ground Capability
85
Avionics
87
Range & Payload
80
Speed & Agility
85
Survivability
83
Reliability
90
Technology
82
Cost-Effectiveness
95
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the multirole fighters category.
01 / Overview
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
Production
1983–2000
Quantity
18
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MULTIROLE FIGHTERS · COLD WAR
6
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
94
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
87
multirole fighters category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the multirole fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight1978
  • Service Entry Year1983
  • Crew1
  • Primary RoleMultirole combat aircraft
  • Generation4th
  • In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
  • Engine TypeGeneral Electric F404-GE-402
  • Engine ModelGeneral Electric F404
  • Number of Engines2
  • Thrust (dry, each)72
  • Thrust (afterburner, each)106
  • Thrust-to-Weight1.08
  • AfterburnerYes
  • SupercruiseNo
  • Thrust VectoringNo
  • Internal Fuel4,926.096 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
  • Top Speed1,915 km/h
  • Top Speed (Mach)1.8 Mach
  • Cruise Speed888.883 km/h
  • Stall Speed210 km/h
  • Service Ceiling15,240 m
  • Ferry Range2,016.828 km
  • Combat Radius540 km
  • Rate of Climb254 m/s
  • G-Limit7.5
  • Takeoff Run427 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Length17.1 m
  • Wingspan12.3 m
  • Height4.7 m
  • Wing Area38
  • Empty Weight10,432.8 kg
  • Loaded Weight16,769.592 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight23,541.84 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
⬢Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built1,480
  • Operators16
  • Variants18
▲Service History4MOD.4
  • Retirement Year2019
  • Production Start1974
  • Production End2000
  • Operational StatusLimited service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1983Production started
  3. 2000Production ended
43
years in service
17
years in production
18
units produced
8
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS F/A-18 HORNET · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
2
Victories
2
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet 1983
// DERIVATIVES
06 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE9terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
A helmet-mounted display system that allows pilots to aim weapons by looking at targets, tracking head movements to direct sensors or weapons.
Infrared Search and Track (IRST) is a passive sensor system that detects and tracks airborne targets by their heat signatures without emitting radiation.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
A targeting pod is an external sensor module mounted on aircraft that provides laser designation, infrared imaging, and range‑finding to support precision strike and reconnaissance.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Multirole Fighters entry →