VT-86 Sabrehawks
// Training Air Wing Six
F/A-18F Super Hornet
Aircraft Profile
Description - The F/A-18F Super Hornet is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-place fighter and bomber designed to maintain air superiority and provide the Navy with an all-weather strike capability.
Features - Some of the improvements over the C/D model include a 40 percent increase in range, can remain on station 80 percent longer on a typical mission, has three times the "bring back" capability around the boat, more engine power, additional weapons stations totaling 11, and will eventually be used for EW and refueling missions.
Background - The Super Hornet was designed as an evolutionary upgrade to the F/A-18C/D and created to replace the aging F-14 Tomcat by 2009. The Super Hornet began its sea trials aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in January 1997 and the first two F-14 Squadrons, VF-14/41, began their transition in the fall of 2001.
| AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| Length | 60 feet 4 inches |
| Height | 16 feet |
| Wingspan | 44 feet 11 inches |
| Thrust | 20,000 pounds per engine |
| Empty Weight | 32,081 pounds |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight | 66,000 pounds |
| Maximum Airspeed | Mach 1.8 |
| Ferry Range | 1,800 nautical miles |
| Combat Range (interdiction mission) | 390 nautical miles |
| Service Ceiling | 50,000+ feet |
| Crew | 2 |
Armament - AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, M61A1/A2 Vulcan Cannon, Harpoon, HARM, SLAM, Maverick missiles, JSOW, JDAM, LGB's and various general purpose bombs, mines, and rockets.
