Aircraft & UAVs

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

Also known as
  • F/A-18 Super Hornet
  • F/A-18E Super Hornet
  • F/A-18F Super Hornet
  • FA-18E/F Super Hornet
  • F/A-18E
  • F/A-18F
  • Super Hornet
  • Block II Super Hornet
  • Block III Super Hornet
  • Rhino

Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a U.S. Navy carrier-capable multirole strike fighter developed from the Hornet family for fleet air defense, escort, interdiction, close air support, aerial refueling, suppression of enemy air defenses, and day/night precision strike. The single-seat F/A-18E and two-seat F/A-18F anchor carrier air wings through Block II and Block III upgrades, with documented U.S. Navy use in Afghanistan drawdown support, Operation Inherent Resolve, the Red Sea crisis, Somalia strikes, and U.S. operations against Iran.

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet image

Role in Conflicts

2015 Various Conflicts
Side
Unconfirmed conflict context

NAVAIR says the Super Hornet's first combat action came in Iraq's no-fly zone in November 2002, but the catalog has no canonical pre-2015 Iraq no-fly-zone conflict page, so this use is held here as a fallback.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Built by
Boeing
Type
Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter
Service note
1995-present
Designer
McDonnell Douglas
Designed
1992-1995
Unit cost
$67 million (approximate flyaway cost, depending on configuration and year)
Produced
1995-present; new Block III deliveries scheduled through spring 2027
Number built
More than 600; Block II production closed with 322 F/A-18E and 286 F/A-18F aircraft

Specifications

Wingspan
44.9 ft (13.7 m)
Length
60.2 ft (18.3 m) Boeing / 60.3 ft (18.5 m) Navy
Height
16 ft (4.9 m)
Maximum takeoff weight
66,000 lb (29,937 kg)
Maximum speed
Mach 1.6 Boeing / Mach 1.8+ Navy-NAVAIR
Ceiling
50,000+ ft (15,240+ m)
Combat range
1,275 nautical miles (2,346 km), clean plus two AIM-9s
Ferry range
1,660 nautical miles (3,054 km), two AIM-9s and three 480-gallon tanks retained
Crew
F/A-18E: one; F/A-18F: two
Engines
Two F414-GE-400 turbofan engines
Carrier bringback payload
F/A-18E: 9,900 lb (4,491 kg); F/A-18F: 9,000 lb (4,082 kg)
Weapons stations
11
Variants

The Super Hornet family centers on the single-seat F/A-18E and two-seat F/A-18F, with Block II and Block III configurations and the EA-18G Growler as an electronic-attack derivative.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
F/A-18E Super HornetSingle-seat strike fighter

NAVAIR identifies the E model as the single-seat Super Hornet.

Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

F/A-18F Super HornetTwo-seat strike fighter

NAVAIR identifies the F model as the two-seat variant; the second crew station can support training and deployed mission workload.

Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

F/A-18E/F Block II Super HornetAESA-equipped production configuration

Block II incorporated AESA radar, improved sensors and avionics, and precision-weapons capability; the final Block II aircraft was delivered in April 2020.

Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR), Navy takes delivery of final Block II Super Hornet

F/A-18E/F Block III Super HornetNetworked service-life-extension production and retrofit configuration

Block III adds advanced cockpit and networking features, reduced radar signature, and a 10,000-flight-hour service life.

Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR), Navy accepts first new production Block III Super Hornet

EA-18G Growler, Carrier-capable airborne electronic attack aircraft, Electronic WarfareEA-18G GrowlerElectronic-attack derivative

Boeing presents the Growler alongside the Super Hornet as a complementary carrier-based electronic-attack aircraft using the same family ecosystem.

Sources: F/A-18 Super Hornet & EA-18 Growler

Carried Munitions

The Super Hornet's published armament options span air-to-air missiles, anti-ship and anti-radiation missiles, glide weapons, and guided bombs.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
AGM-154 JSOW, Air-launched guided glide bomb, MunitionsAGM-154 JSOWAir-launched guided glide bomb

NAVAIR says JSOW-C is integrated on F/A-18C/D/E/F aircraft, and a later NAVAIR test report says a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet completed the first captive carriage test of the AGM-154 JSOW C-1 variant.

Sources: Navy's JSOW C Approved for Full Rate Production, JSOW C-1 variant successfully tested

AIM-7 Sparrow missile, Air-to-air missile, MunitionsAIM-7 Sparrow missileMedium-range air-to-air missile

NAVAIR's Super Hornet page lists AIM-7 Sparrow among the aircraft's armament options.

Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

AIM-120 AMRAAM, Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, MunitionsAIM-120 AMRAAMAir-to-air missile

NAVAIR's Super Hornet page lists AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles among the aircraft's armament options.

Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

AIM-9X Sidewinder missile, Short-range air-to-air missile, MunitionsAIM-9X Sidewinder missileShort-range infrared air-to-air missile

Navy reporting says Super Hornets were carrying more AIM-9X missiles to bolster defensive capability in the Red Sea, and the Navy fact file identifies the F/A-18E/F as a Super Hornet strike fighter.

Sources: Acquisition Standards Can Be a Two-Way Street, F/A-18A-D Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Strike Fighter

AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, Short-range air-to-air missile family, MunitionsAIM-9 Sidewinder missileShort-range air-to-air missile

NAVAIR lists AIM 9 Sidewinder among the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's armament.

Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

Harpoon, Anti-ship cruise missile family, MunitionsHarpoonAnti-ship missile

NAVAIR lists Harpoon among the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's armament.

Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

AGM-88 HARM, Air-to-surface anti-radiation missile, MunitionsAGM-88 HARMAnti-radiation missile

NAVAIR lists HARM among the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's armament.

Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

AGM-65 Maverick, Air-to-surface guided missile, MunitionsAGM-65 MaverickAir-to-ground missile

NAVAIR lists Maverick missiles among the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's armament.

Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit, GPS/INS guidance tail kit for free-fall bombs, MunitionsJoint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kitPrecision-guided bomb

NAVAIR lists JDAM among the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's armament.

Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

Paveway laser-guided bomb, Laser-guided bomb guidance-kit family, MunitionsPaveway laser-guided bombLaser-guided bomb family

NAVAIR lists Paveway Laser Guided Bomb among the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's armament options.

Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

Sensors And Mission Systems
Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
IRST21 Sensor System, Passive long-wave infrared search-and-track sensor system, Support EquipmentIRST21 Sensor SystemInfrared search-and-track sensor

Boeing lists IRST among Block III Super Hornet capabilities, and Lockheed Martin says the Navy declared initial operational capability for IRST21 sensors integrated in the F/A-18E/F centerline fuel tank.

Sources: F/A-18 Super Hornet & EA-18 Growler, IRST21 IOC for F/A-18E/F

Timeline

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Key Events

  1. First flight

    NAVAIR says the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet first flew in November 1995 during the program's development and flight-test phase.

    Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

  2. Fleet service entry

    The Super Hornet entered fleet service in 1999 as the Navy's new strike fighter.

    Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

  3. Initial operational capability

    NAVAIR and the Navy list September 2001 initial operational capability with VFA-115 at NAS Lemoore.

    Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

  4. First operational cruise

    The first Super Hornet operational cruise used F/A-18E aircraft from VFA-115 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln.

    Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

  5. First combat action in Iraq

    NAVAIR says the first combat action for the F/A-18E occurred in November 2002 during a strike on hostile targets in Iraq's no-fly zone.

    Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

  6. First strike missions over Iraq and Syria

    U.S. Naval Forces Central Command reported Harry S. Truman carrier air wing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets flying their first 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve missions and conducting combat operations in Iraq and Syria.

    Sources: Harry S. Truman CSG Launches First OIR Missions

  7. Shootdown near Tabqah

    The Navy said a U.S. F/A-18E Super Hornet shot down a Syrian regime Su-22 near Tabqah after the aircraft dropped bombs near Syrian Democratic Forces fighters.

    Sources: Coalition Defends Partner Forces from Syrian Fighter Jet Attack

  8. Final Block II delivery

    The Navy accepted the final Block II Super Hornet, closing a production run of 322 F/A-18E and 286 F/A-18F aircraft.

    Sources: Navy takes delivery of final Block II Super Hornet

  9. Block III test jets delivered

    Boeing delivered two Block III Super Hornet test jets to the Navy for flight testing.

    Sources: F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)

  10. First new-production Block III accepted

    The Navy accepted the first new-production Block III F/A-18 Super Hornet for continued test work.

    Sources: Navy accepts first new production Block III Super Hornet

  11. Additional Block III contract

    NAVAIR announced a contract for 17 additional F/A-18 Super Hornets and a technical data package, with deliveries scheduled from winter 2026 through spring 2027.

    Sources: New Block III Super Hornet contract

  12. Carrier air wing strike in Somalia

    Carrier Air Wing 1 launched 27 F/A-18 Super Hornets from USS Harry S. Truman in a coordinated airstrike against ISIS-Somalia operatives in Somalia with the Federal Government of Somalia.

    Sources: USS Truman conducted largest airstrike in Navy history, official says

  13. Super Hornet launches from USS Abraham Lincoln in Epic Fury

    The Department of Defense published a captioned image of an F/A-18F Super Hornet launching from USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic Fury against Iranian targets.

    Sources: Hegseth Says 'Epic Fury' Goals in Iran Are 'Laser-Focused'

Media

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Videos

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Images

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: F/A-18F after launch from USS Abraham Lincoln
Related Weapon Systems
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F-15I Ra'am, Two-seat long-range strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsF-15I Ra'amTwo-seat long-range strike fighterThe F-15I Ra'am is Israel's F-15E-derived two-seat strike fighter, built in the United States with Israeli-specific avionics, communications, electronic-warfare, and helmet-sight equipment. Open-source records tie the 69th Squadron aircraft to long-range strike and interdiction roles from the 2006 Lebanon War through Gaza, Hezbollah, Red Sea/Yemen, and Iran operations, while Boeing and Israeli-reference sources describe the original 25-aircraft fleet, F100-PW-229 engines, APG-70 radar, and precision-weapon compatibility.

Related News

Sources

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (NAVAIR)Publisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports Super Hornet identity, variants, Block II/Block III background, specifications, timeline milestones, initial combat use in Iraq's no-fly zone, and armament options; the catalog uses 2015 Various Conflicts as a fallback because no canonical pre-2015 Iraq no-fly-zone conflict page exists. | Accessed: 2026-07-04F/A-18 Super Hornet & EA-18 GrowlerPublisher: Boeing | Note: Supports the Super Hornet's manufacturer background, published specifications, Block III/IRST/networking context, weapons-station/loadout context, and relationship to the EA-18G Growler. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Navy takes delivery of final Block II Super HornetPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports final Block II delivery timing and production-count context for F/A-18E and F/A-18F aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Navy accepts first new production Block III Super HornetPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports first new-production Block III acceptance and Block III test context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04New Block III Super Hornet contractPublisher: NAVAIR | Note: Supports additional Block III production contract context and delivery timing through spring 2027. | Accessed: 2026-07-04IRST21 IOC for F/A-18E/FPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the IRST21 sensor relationship with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the centerline fuel-tank installation. | Accessed: 2026-07-04F/A-18E Super Hornet over the Arabian Sea supporting Afghanistan drawdownPublisher: U.S. Navy | Note: 2001 War in Afghanistan: used by a U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower while the carrier strike group provided airpower during Afghanistan drawdown operations. | Accessed: 2026-07-04F/A-18F maintenance supporting Afghanistan drawdownPublisher: DVIDS | Note: 2001 War in Afghanistan: used by a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower while the carrier strike group provided airpower during Afghanistan drawdown operations. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Air Forces Central Command Completes Dayr Az Zawr InvestigationPublisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve: used by carrier air wing F/A-18E Super Hornets in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support strike sorties. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Harry S. Truman CSG Launches First OIR MissionsPublisher: U.S. Naval Forces Central Command | Note: 2011 Syrian Civil War: used by U.S. Navy carrier air wing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets in strike missions over Syria during 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Coalition Defends Partner Forces from Syrian Fighter Jet AttackPublisher: U.S. Navy | Note: 2011 Syrian Civil War: a U.S. F/A-18E Super Hornet shot down a Syrian regime Su-22 near Tabqah while defending coalition partner forces. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Defense Secretary's First 100 Days of Delivering on PromisesPublisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: 2023 Red Sea Crisis: used by a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 143 over the Red Sea on March 23, 2025 during Operation Rough Rider to restore freedom of navigation. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Hegseth Says 'Epic Fury' Goals in Iran Are 'Laser-Focused'Publisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict and 2020 United States-Iran Conflict: used by F/A-18F Super Hornet jets in support of Operation Epic Fury against the Iranian regime from USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln on Feb. 28 and March 1, 2026. | Accessed: 2026-07-04USS Truman conducted largest airstrike in Navy history, official saysPublisher: Navy Times | Note: 1991 Somali Civil War post-2006 al-Shabaab phase: used by U.S. Navy carrier air wing F/A-18 Super Hornets in a Feb. 1, 2025 airstrike in Somalia against ISIS-Somalia operatives in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting ISIS-SomaliaPublisher: U.S. Africa Command | Note: 1991 Somali Civil War post-2006 al-Shabaab phase: supports the official Feb. 1, 2025 U.S. Africa Command airstrike context coordinated with the Federal Government of Somalia; Navy Times identifies the F/A-18 Super Hornet platform. | Accessed: 2026-07-042014 Operation Inherent Resolve Super Hornet imagePublisher: DVIDS | Note: 2014 War Against the Islamic State: documents an F/A-18F Super Hornet aboard USS Harry S. Truman supporting 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS in the Mediterranean Sea. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet imagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain licensing for the F/A-18F Super Hornet primary image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04F/A-18F after launch from USS Abraham LincolnPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain licensing for the F/A-18F Super Hornet gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Navy's JSOW C Approved for Full Rate ProductionPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports JSOW-C integration on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet family. | Accessed: 2026-07-04JSOW C-1 variant successfully testedPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports captive-carriage testing and JSOW C-1 integration on the F/A-18F Super Hornet. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Acquisition Standards Can Be a Two-Way StreetPublisher: Naval Aviation News | Note: 2023 Red Sea Crisis: supports Super Hornet AIM-9X carriage context for Red Sea operations against Houthi attacks on merchant vessels. | Accessed: 2026-07-04F/A-18A-D Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Strike FighterPublisher: U.S. Navy | Note: Supports the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet identity and strike-fighter background. | Accessed: 2026-07-04