Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the multirole fighters category.
01 / Overview
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1983–2000
Quantity
18
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MULTIROLE FIGHTERS · COLD WAR
6
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
94
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ 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
- Hardpoints9
- Weapons Payload7,700 kg
- Internal GunM61 Vulcan 20 mm
- Internal Weapons BayNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesYes
- Nuclear CapableNo
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarAN/APG-65 or AN/APG-73
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTYes
- Electronic Warfare SuiteYes
- Helmet-Mounted SightYes
- Tactical DatalinkYes
- Targeting PodYes
⬢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
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1983Production started
- 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
06 / Operators
Operator Countries8country
07 / MASS Score
MULTIROLE FIGHTERS RANKING Multirole Fighters · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
10MULTIROLE FIGHTERS6COLD WAR · MULTIROLE FIGHTERS84UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS5PERFORMANCE/PRICE · MULTIROLE FIGHTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theMultirole Fighterscategory.
📖 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