The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 (Fighter/Attack) Hornet is undoubtedly the workhorse of the current US Navy strike and fighter capability. Entering service in early 1979, it had undergone a long gestation from the Northrop YF-17, the loser to the F-16 in the Air Force's Lightweight Fighter (LWF). With Congressional pressure on the Navy to reduce costs, Northrop and General Dynamics were both obliged to partner with a manufacturer with naval contract experience. Northrop ended up teaming with McDonnell Douglas, who having realised that they were behind the curve in terms of a response to current Navy requirements, clearly saw the YF-17 as a potential winner. Initial versions of the F/A-18 looked similar to the YF-17, but were in fact virtually a new airframe, being bigger, stronger, heavier and with a wing fold.
The first generation of Hornets, the A, and B two-seater, set the basic shape and form for the family, characterised by a high thrust to weight ratio, full-span leading-edge slats and plain flaps to the 20-degree swept wing, long Leading Edge Extensions (LEX) to assist in controlling flow into the under-wing intakes and multi-function digital electronics and cockpit instrumentation. In 1987 these versions were quickly improved into the C and D with better avionics, radar and a wider range of weapon compatibility. A specialist version of the two-seat D was developed to incorporate an electro-optical reconnaissance pack fitted in the space normally occupied by the Vulcan cannon and its ammunition. This Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System (ATARS) is used by the US Marine Corps.
This story is from the January 2021 edition of Scale Aircraft Modelling.
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This story is from the January 2021 edition of Scale Aircraft Modelling.
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