Rajan Wilcox
The distance an F18 can travel on a tank of fuel depends on several factors, including the weight of the aircraft, the altitude, and the speed. The F18 Hornet is a twin-engine fighter jet that can carry additional fuel in external fuel tanks, also known as drop tanks. The range of an F18 Hornet with external fuel tanks is estimated to be around 2,070 miles (3,330 km) in ideal conditions. However, the actual range will depend on various factors, such as the aircraft's configuration, payload, and flight conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ferry range | 1,800 nmi (2,070 mi, 3,330 km) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 1.8 (550 m/s or 1069 KTAS) |
| Maximum altitude | 36,000 ft |
| Fuel capacity | 14,400 lbs |
| Fuel consumption at full afterburner | 36,000 lbs/hr |
| Maximum range at full afterburner | 213.8 NM |
| External fuel tank capacity | 330 US gal (1,200 L) |
| Additional external fuel tanks | 4 x 480 US gal (1,800 L) |
| Total fuel capacity with external tanks | 29,000 lb (13,000 kg) |
| Conformal fuel tank capacity | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
The F/A-18 Super Hornet's range
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a strike fighter aircraft capable of air-to-air and air-air-to-surface missions. The Super Hornet has a range of 1,800 nautical miles (2,070 miles or 3,330 kilometres) in a ferry configuration, which is when it cruises at slower speeds than its maximum cruise speed.
The Super Hornet can carry up to five external fuel tanks, in addition to its internal tanks, for a total of 29,000 pounds (13,000 kilograms) of fuel. The external tanks include one 330 US gallon (1,200-litre) tank with a hose reel on the centreline, and four 480 US gallon (1,800-litre) tanks. The Super Hornet can also be equipped with an aerial refuelling system (ARS) or "buddy store" to refuel other aircraft.
The range of the Super Hornet depends on its configuration and speed. Flying at 36,000 feet, the Hornet can go 990 miles before hitting 2,000 pounds, whereas at sea level, it can only go 500 miles. Flying at supersonic speed also burns a lot more fuel, with the GE F414 engine burning 36,000 pounds of fuel per hour in full afterburner.
To increase the range of the Super Hornet, Boeing has developed conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) that are attached semi-permanently to the aircraft. These CFTs reduce the agility and aerodynamics of the aircraft but provide an extra source of fuel and can be jettisoned in an emergency. The F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III, offered to the US and Australian military in 2008, features these conformal fuel tanks, as well as enhanced engines and an enclosed weapons pod.
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External fuel tanks
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a series of American supersonic twin-engine fighter aircraft. The Super Hornet can carry additional fuel in up to five external fuel tanks, also known as drop tanks or fuel bags. These tanks can be dropped if the fighter needs to reduce weight and drag during combat. The Super Hornet also has the option of two 515 US gal (1,949 L) conformal fuel tanks, adding a further 7,000 lb (3,175 kg) of fuel.
The Legacy Hornet, a variant of the Super Hornet, can carry up to three external fuel tanks: one on the center and one on the inboard station of each wing. The Super Hornet can carry up to five: one on the center and one on each of the two inboard stations of each wing.
The external fuel tanks of the Super Hornet can carry a total of 13,040 lb (5,915 kg) of fuel, with each tank holding 480 US gal (1,817 L). The Advanced Super Hornet prototype features conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) and an enclosed weapons pod. The CFTs are useful for relieving underwing space and lowering the drag margin for the Next Generation Jammer.
The range of the Super Hornet depends on its configuration and mission. With three 480-gallon (1,800 L) drop tanks, the combat range is 489 nmi (906 km; 563 mi). With two 480-gallon (1,800 L) drop tanks, the combat range is 444 nmi (511 mi, 822 km). The Super Hornet's ferry range, or maximum cruise range, is 1,800 nmi (2,070 mi, 3,330 km).
The F/A-18 Hornet guzzles gas at low altitudes, and its range depends on its altitude. At sea level, the Hornet can go 500 miles before hitting 2000 lbs of fuel, while at 36,000 feet, it can go 990 miles.
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Internal fuel capacity
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a strike fighter aircraft capable of air-to-air and air-air-to-ground/surface missions. The Super Hornet has an internal 20mm M61A2 rotary cannon and can carry air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and a variety of other weapons.
The Super Hornet's internal fuel capacity is 14,400 lbs (6,531 kg) of fuel. This gives the aircraft a ferry range of 1,800 nautical miles (2,070 miles or 3,330 km). However, the actual range will depend on various factors such as the aircraft's configuration, altitude, and speed. For example, the Super Hornet can achieve a range of 500 miles at sea level and 990 miles at 36,000 feet before reaching 2,000 lbs of fuel.
To extend the range of the Super Hornet, it can be equipped with external fuel tanks and an aerial refueling system (ARS) or "buddy store". The ARS includes an external 330 US gal (1,200 L) tank on the centerline and four external 480 US gal (1,800 L) tanks, bringing the total fuel capacity to 29,000 lbs (13,000 kg). Additionally, the Super Hornet can utilise conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) that are attached semi-permanently to the aircraft, further increasing its fuel capacity and range.
The ability to carry additional fuel and utilise aerial refuelling allows the Super Hornet to undertake longer missions and provides greater operational flexibility.
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Afterburner fuel consumption
The F-18 Hornet is a fighter jet that can carry up to three external fuel tanks: one on the centre and one on each wing. The Super Hornet variant can carry up to five: one on the centre and two on each wing. These external fuel tanks can be jettisoned if the fighter jet needs to reduce weight and drag during combat.
The F-18 Hornet's fuel consumption depends on its configuration. For example, carrying additional equipment like bombs will reduce its range. The Hornet can go 500 miles at sea level and 990 miles at 36,000 feet before hitting reserve fuel levels of 2000 lbs.
The F-18 Hornet's GE F414 engine burns approximately 36,000 lbs/hr of fuel in full afterburner, resulting in a total fuel burn of 72,000 lb/hr. At this rate, the F-18 Hornet would burn through its internal fuel load of 14,400 lbs in about 12 minutes, giving it a maximum range of 213.8 nautical miles.
Afterburners are rarely used during flight due to their extreme fuel consumption and are typically reserved for rapid acceleration or air-to-air engagements. The high fuel consumption of afterburners results in a dramatic increase in speed. For example, the F-16 can achieve a speed of 700-800 knots with full afterburner, compared to its typical cruising speed of 450-550 knots.
The F-18 Hornet's fuel consumption can be optimized by climbing to higher altitudes, where jet engines are more efficient due to colder air temperatures. At higher altitudes, the F-18 Hornet can reduce its throttle setting, which leads to a lower fuel flow rate.
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Aerial refuelling
The range of an F-18 aircraft depends on several factors, including its configuration, altitude, and speed. The F-18 Hornet can carry up to three external fuel tanks, while the Super Hornet can carry up to five. These external tanks significantly increase the aircraft's range. For example, the Hornet can travel about 500 miles at sea level and 990 miles at 36,000 feet before requiring refuelling.
To further extend the range of the F-18, aerial refuelling, also known as air-to-air refuelling (AAR), can be employed. This process involves transferring aviation fuel from a tanker aircraft to the F-18 receiver aircraft while both are in flight, allowing the F-18 to remain airborne longer. Aerial refuelling has been used since the 1950s to address security concerns and extend the strategic reach of aircraft. It played a crucial role during the Falklands War, enabling successful Argentine attacks against the Royal Navy.
There are two main refuelling systems: probe-and-drogue and flying boom. Probe-and-drogue is simpler to adapt to existing aircraft, while the flying boom offers faster fuel transfer but requires a dedicated boom operator. Aerial refuelling can also significantly reduce fuel consumption on long-distance flights, with potential fuel savings of 35-40% for long-haul flights.
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Frequently asked questions
The distance an F-18 can travel depends on several factors, including altitude, speed, load, and configuration. At 36,000 feet, an F-18E Rhino can reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.8, burning approximately 36,000 lbs/hr of fuel, which would give a flight time of around 12 minutes. At this speed and altitude, the maximum range is 213.8 NM. However, when cruising at subsonic speeds and higher altitudes, the range can increase significantly. For example, at 36,000 feet without external stores, the F-18E has a range of 990 miles.
The range of an F-18 is influenced by various factors. Firstly, the altitude plays a significant role, with higher altitudes generally resulting in increased range. Secondly, speed has a major impact, as flying at supersonic speeds consumes fuel at a much higher rate than subsonic speeds. Additionally, the load and configuration of the aircraft matter. Carrying external stores, such as weapons or fuel tanks, will reduce the range compared to a "clean configuration."
The load of an F-18, including any external stores or weapons, will impact its range. The more weight the aircraft carries, the higher the fuel consumption, resulting in a reduced range. Therefore, it is essential to consider the balance between the fuel carried and the payload when planning missions.
Altitude has a significant impact on the range of an F-18. Generally, flying at higher altitudes reduces fuel consumption and increases the potential range. This is because the air density decreases with altitude, reducing drag and engine workload. However, it is important to note that flying at higher altitudes may also require the use of afterburners, which can significantly increase fuel consumption.
External fuel tanks, also known as drop tanks, can significantly increase the range of an F-18. These tanks provide additional fuel capacity, allowing the aircraft to fly longer distances. While they make the aircraft less agile and aerodynamic, they can be jettisoned in an emergency or when engaging in combat to reduce weight and drag. The use of conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) is a more modern approach that attaches semi-permanently to the aircraft, improving aerodynamics and stealth capabilities.
