Primary Functions - Attack and destroy surface targets, day or night, under all weather conditions; conduct multi-sensor imagery reconnaissance; provide supporting arms coordination; intercept and destroy enemy aircraft under all weather conditions.
Features - Marine F/A-18D aircraft are unique within the Department of the Navy because the Marine Corps employs the F/A-18D as a tactical strike aircraft while the Navy uses it as a trainer. Marine F/A-18Ds may be land-based from prepared airfields, or they can operate from expeditionary airfields (EAF). They may also be sea-based, operating from the decks of Navy aircraft carriers.
AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS | |
---|---|
Length | 56 feet |
Height | 15 feet 5 inches |
Wingspan | 37 feet 6 inches |
Thrust | 16,000 pounds per engine |
Empty Weight | 23,000 pounds |
Maximum Takeoff Weight | 51,900 pounds |
Maximum Airspeed | Mach 1.8 |
Ferry Range | 1,800 nautical miles |
Combat Range (fighter mission) | 400 nautical miles |
Combat Range (attack mission) | 575 nautical miles |
Service Ceiling | 50,000 feet |
Crew | 2 |
Armament - Nine external wing stations, comprising two wingtip stations for AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles; two outboard wing stations for an assortment of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, including AIM-7 Sparrows, AIM-9 Sidewinders, AMRAAMs, AGM-84 Harpoons and AGM-65 Maverick missiles; two inboard wing stations for external fuel tanks or air-to-ground stations; two nacelle fuselage stations for Sparrows or AN/AAS-38 Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) pods; and a center station for fuel tank or air-to-ground weapons such as GBU-10 and -12 laser guided bombs, Mk 80 series general purpose bombs, and CBU-59 cluster bombs. An M61 20mm six-barrel gun is mounted in the nose and has a Boeing director gunsight.