Mercedes Mullins
The F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic twin-engine fighter aircraft that first flew in 1995 and entered service with the United States Navy in 1999. The Hornet has been noted to have a short range and to burn through fuel quickly. The Super Hornet, an upgraded version of the Hornet, carries 33% more internal fuel, increasing its mission range by 41% and endurance by 50%. The Hornet's fuel consumption can be optimized by reducing armament, flying at lower altitudes, and decreasing drag.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Range | 500 miles at sea level, 990 miles at 36,000 feet |
| Maximum Weight | 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) heavier than the original Hornet |
| Empty Weight | 7,000 lb (3,200 kg) heavier than the original Hornet |
| Internal Fuel Capacity | 33% more than the original Hornet |
| Mission Range Increase | 41% over the "Legacy" Hornet |
| Endurance Increase | 50% over the "Legacy" Hornet |
| External Fuel Capacity | 330 US gal (1,200 L) tank with hose reel on the centerline, along with four 480 US gal (1,800 L) tanks |
| Total Fuel Capacity | 29,000 lb (13,000 kg) |
| Engine Thrust | 44,000 lb |
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What You'll Learn
- The F/A-18 Super Hornet carries 33% more internal fuel than the original Hornet
- The Hornet's range can be increased by reducing armament and avoiding double or triple bomb/missile racks
- The Hornet's range was sacrificed to meet requirements for a light fighter with good performance and acceptable payload
- The Hornet can carry additional fuel in up to five external fuel tanks
- The Hornet's FPAS page tells you the best altitude and speed for maximising range or endurance
The F/A-18 Super Hornet carries 33% more internal fuel than the original Hornet
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a series of American supersonic twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft. It is a significant upgrade from the original Hornet, offering a 33% increase in internal fuel capacity, which translates to a 41% increase in mission range and a 50% improvement in endurance. This increase in fuel capacity is a direct response to the limitations of the original Hornet, which had a relatively short combat radius.
The Super Hornet is about 20% larger and 7,000 lb heavier than its predecessor, with a maximum weight of 15,000 lb more. This increase in size and weight allows for greater fuel capacity and improved performance. The aircraft's range and endurance can be further enhanced by utilising external fuel tanks, with the option of up to five additional tanks.
The Super Hornet first flew in 1995 and entered service with the United States Navy in 1999, replacing the F-14 Tomcat. Despite being significantly heavier than the previous Hornet, the Super Hornet offers superior handling characteristics and controllability. It also features enhanced survivability enhancements, such as the integration of low observables technology and an advanced infrared targeting system.
The F/A-18 Super Hornet's increased fuel capacity and performance have made it a versatile and reliable aircraft for the armed forces of the United States, Australia, and Kuwait. Its ability to carry a substantial fuel load and a variety of weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, contributes to its effectiveness as a multirole fighter aircraft.
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The Hornet's range can be increased by reducing armament and avoiding double or triple bomb/missile racks
The F/A-18 Hornet is a light fighter aircraft with good performance and an acceptable payload. However, its range is limited due to its light fuel capacity without bags. The Hornet's range can be increased by reducing armament and avoiding double or triple bomb/missile racks, as these increase drag significantly.
To optimize range, it is recommended to fly with three bags at a low-density altitude of 30,000-50,000 feet and close to the optimum cruise speed, which can be found on the FPAS page. The Hornet's range is also dependent on its configuration, as a heavier load requires more fuel to fly. By reducing armament, the Hornet can travel further on the same amount of fuel.
The Hornet's stand-off attack capability is renowned, with its air-launched cruise missiles and AGM-84 Standoff Land Attack Missiles (SLAM) having exceptionally long ranges. The SLAMs utilize GPS coordinates to strike static targets with high accuracy. The AGM-84H SLAM-ER (Extended Range) can fly over terrain at low altitude and strike targets beyond 150 nautical miles.
While the Hornet has impressive stand-off capabilities, its range can be further optimized by reducing the weight of its armament. This allows it to fly further and maintain its position for longer without consistent tanker support. By avoiding double or triple bomb/missile racks, the Hornet can strike targets from a safe distance while conserving fuel and increasing its overall range.
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The Hornet's range was sacrificed to meet requirements for a light fighter with good performance and acceptable payload
The F/A-18 Hornet is a powerful jet with versatile capabilities. It was introduced in 1987, with the F/A-18C Hornet variant becoming the primary fighter variant extensively deployed in combat scenarios. The Hornet was designed to reduce maintenance and, as a result, has required less downtime than its heavier counterparts. Its compact design provides excellent manoeuvrability but limits fuel and payload capacity.
To compensate for the Hornet's limited range, in-flight refuelling could always supplement it. As the Hornet took over the role of the primary strike fighter, range became more important, leading to the development of the Super Hornet, which is larger and carries more fuel and payload. The Super Hornet carries 33% more internal fuel, increasing mission range by 41% and endurance by 50% over the "Legacy" Hornet.
The F/A-18E Super Hornet first flew on November 29, 1995, and marked a significant leap in capability from earlier models. It is approximately 25% larger than the legacy Hornet, with a length of 60 feet and a wingspan of 44.8 feet. This increase in size dramatically enhances payload capability, range, and internal fuel storage, making the Super Hornet a more versatile strike fighter. The Super Hornet was designed to extend mission reach and payload capacity, incorporating more powerful engines and optimising the aircraft's structure to enhance survivability and performance.
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The Hornet can carry additional fuel in up to five external fuel tanks
The F/A-18 Hornet is a fighter aircraft that first flew in 1978. It has been noted to have a short range and to burn through fuel quickly. This is due to the Hornet's design focus on being a light fighter with good performance and an acceptable payload. The Hornet can carry additional fuel in up to five external fuel tanks.
The Hornet has two wing tip stations, four inboard wing stations for fuel tanks or air-to-ground weapons, two nacelle fuselage stations for Sparrows or sensor pods, and one centerline station for fuel or air-to-ground weapons. The centerline station can be equipped with an external 330 US gal (1,200 L) tank with a hose reel. The four inboard wing stations can be equipped with 480 US gal (1,800 L) tanks. With these external fuel tanks, the Hornet can carry a total of 29,000 lb (13,000 kg) of fuel.
The Super Hornet is a larger and more advanced variant of the Hornet, carrying 33% more internal fuel. This increases the Super Hornet's mission range by 41% and endurance by 50% compared to the legacy Hornet. The Super Hornet first flew in 1995 and entered service with the United States Navy in 1999.
The Super Hornet is also capable of being configured as an airborne tanker by adding an external air-to-air refuelling system. This allows the Super Hornet to refuel other aircraft while in flight, further extending their range and endurance.
To increase the Hornet's range and endurance without using external fuel tanks, it is recommended to reduce armament and avoid double or triple racks for bombs and missiles, as they increase drag significantly. Flying at higher altitudes, such as between 30,000-50,000 feet, can also help to optimise fuel consumption and increase range.
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The Hornet's FPAS page tells you the best altitude and speed for maximising range or endurance
The Hornet's FPAS page is an incredibly useful tool for pilots, providing valuable information on maximising range and endurance. FPAS stands for Flight Performance Advisory System, and it computes an aircraft's estimated range and endurance, advising theoretical maximums.
The FPAS page will tell you the best altitude and speed for maximising range and endurance. For example, flying at Mach 0.77 will give you an extra 37 nautical miles of range compared to Mach 0.75. It's important to note that these figures change as the plane burns fuel and deploys ordnance, so it's recommended to have the FPAS page pulled up when entering NAV mode.
Additionally, the FPAS page will inform you of your optimum endurance, marked by an 'X'. This indicates the altitude and mach that will allow you to fly for as long as possible, and how long you can last down to 2000 lbs of fuel. Aircraft perform differently at various altitudes due to differences in atmospheric pressure and its effect on speed and fuel usage. At higher altitudes, while less thrust is required to overcome drag, it is more challenging to breathe enough air to generate thrust.
To maximise range, it's advisable to reduce armament and utilise three bags to optimise drag factor, thus decreasing fuel consumption. Flying at altitudes between 30,000 and 50,000 feet and maintaining optimum cruise speed will also help.
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Frequently asked questions
The F/A-18 Hornet uses a lot of fuel and has a short range. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet carries 33% more internal fuel, increasing mission range by 41% and endurance by 50%.
To reduce fuel consumption in an F-18, you can decrease drag by reducing armament and flying at an optimal altitude and speed.
The maximum range of an F-18 Hornet is 500 miles at sea level and 990 miles at 36,000 feet.
The F/A-18 Super Hornet can carry a total of 29,000 lb (13,000 kg) of fuel, including internal and external tanks.
