Changes: Long Beach AF F-18/78

Latest revision as of 15:28, 7 March 2015

The Long Beach Aircraft Factory F-18/78 (Allied Pact reporting name Hornet) is a twin-engine supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets. Designed for use by the American People's Army Air Force and American People's Navy, the F-18/78 is also used by the air forces of several other nations of the Wake Island Association.

All American Liberty-class carriers carry F-18/78 fighters, where they replaced the aging F-4/58 "Phantom" fleet.

Variants[]

F-18/78a/b[]

The F-18A is the single-seat variant and the F-18B is the two-seat variant. The space for the two-seat cockpit is provided by a relocation of avionic equipment and a 6% reduction in internal fuel; two-seat Hornets are otherwise fully combat-capable. The B model is used primarily for training.

In the early 1990s, the F-18a/b were rebuilt to F-18c/d standard including modern avionics, electronics, engines, et...

F-18/88c/d[]

The F-18c is the single-seat variant and the F-18d is the two-seat variant. The D-model can be configured for training or as an all-weather strike craft. The "missionized" D model's rear seat is configured for a Marine Corps Naval Flight Officer who functions as a Weapons and Sensors Officer to assist in operating the weapons systems. The F/A-18D is primarily operated by the U.S. Marine Corps in the night attack and Forward Air Controller (Airborne) (FAC(A)) roles.

The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1988 incorporating upgraded radar (Type 73 Doppler pulse radar), avionics, and the capacity to carry new missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile and AGM-65 Maverick and AGM-84 Harpoon air-to-surface missiles. Other upgrades include the NACES (Navy Aircrew Common Ejection Seat), and a self-protection jammer.

A synthetic aperture ground mapping radar enables the pilot to locate targets in poor visibility conditions. C and D models delivered since 1989 also have improved night attack abilities, consisting of the Hughes AN/AAR-50 thermal navigation pod, the Loral AN/AAS-38 NITE Hawk FLIR (forward looking infrared array) targeting pod, night vision goggles, and two full-color (formerly monochrome) multi-function display (MFDs) and a color moving map.

Beginning in 1992, the F404-GE-402 enhanced performance engine, providing approximately 10% more maximum static thrust became the standard Hornet engine. Since 1993, the AAS-38A NITE Hawk added a designator/ranger laser, allowing it to self-mark targets. The later AAS-38B added the ability to strike targets designated by lasers from other aircraft.

Specifications (F-18/88c/d)[]

General Characteristics:
- Crew: 1-2
- Length: 56 feet (17.07 meters)
- Wingspan: 40 feet (12.2 meters)
- Height: 15 feet 4 inches (4.67 meters)
- Wing Area: 400 square feet (37.16 square meters)
- Airfoil: NACA 65A005 mod root, 65A003.5 mod tip
- Empty Weight: 23,049 lb (10,455 kg)
- Loaded Weight: 37,150 lb (16,851 kg)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 51,550 lb (23,383 kg)
- Powerplant: 2x Evandale Design Bureau F404-402 afterburning turbofans
  - Dry Thrust: 12,150 lbf (54 kN)
  - Thrust with Afterburners: 18,000 lbf (80 kN)
Performance:
- Maximum Speed: Mach 1.8 (1,370 mph; 2,205 km/h)
- Combat Radius: 330 miles (531.08 kilometers)
- Ferry Range: 2,070 miles (3,331.34 kilometers)
- Service Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)
- Rate of Climb: 50,000 feet/minute (254 meters/second
- Thrust/Weight Ratio: 0.97
Armament:
- Nine Weapon/ Store Stations (5 pylons: 1 Under Fuselage and 4 Wing Stations) (2 LAU 116 located on sides of fuselage: deploys AIM 95 Agile and AIM 120 AMRAAM Missiles)(2 LAU 7 located on the wing tips: Deploys AIM 9 Sidewinder Missile), carrying up to 13,700 lb (6215 kg) of missiles, rockets, bombs, fuel tanks, and pods.
- 1 × 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan internal Gatling gun with 578 rounds, with a firing rate of 4000 or 6000 shots per minute
- Munitions:
  - Air-to-Air Missiles: AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-95 Agile, AIM-120 AMRAAM
  - Air-to-Ground Missiles: AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-83 Bulldog, AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84E SLAM, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-119 Penguin, AGM-154 JSOW, AGM-158 JASSM
  - Bombs: Mk.80 series iron bombs, Paveway Series laser guided bombs, JDAM GPS-guided bombs, GBU-15 Glide Bomb, GBU-28 "Bunker Buster" bomb, GBU-31/-32/-35/-38 laser-guided bombs, GBU-39 and GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb, CBU-99 and CBU-100 Rockeye, CBU-107 Passive Attack Weapon
Avionics:
- AN/APG-73 radar
- AN/APX-111 IFF
- AN/ARC-210 RT-1556/ARC VHF/UHF Radio
- AN/AYK-14 XN-8 mission computer
- AN/AYQ-9 Stores Management System

Users[]

Algeria
- Algerian Air Force
America
- American People's Army Air Force
- American People's Navy
  - VFA-12 "Fighting Omars"
  - VFA-15 "Valions"
  - VFA-22 "Fighting Redcocks"
  - VFA-25 "Fist of the Fleet"
  - VFA-27 "Royal Maces"
  - VFA-34 "Blue Blasters"
  - VFA-37 "Ragin' Bulls"
  - VFA-81 "Sunliners"
  - VFA-82 "Marauders"
  - VFA-83 "Roaring Bulls"
  - VFA-86 "Sidewinders"
  - VFA-87 "Golden Warriors"
  - VFA-94 "Tough Kitties"
  - VFA-97 "Warhawks"
  - VFA-104 "Hell's Archers"
  - VFA-105 "Mad Dogs"
  - VFA-106 "Gladiators"
  - VFA-113 "Stingers"
  - VFA-116 "Eagles"
  - VFA-125 "Rough Raiders"
  - VFA-127 "Royal Blues"
  - VFA-131 "Wildcats"
  - VFA-132 "Privateers"
  - VFA-136 "Knighthawks"
  - VFA-137 "Kestrels"
  - VFA-146 "Blacktails"
  - VFA-147 "Argonauts"
  - VFA-151 "Flashers"
  - VFA-161 "Chargers"
  - VFA-192 "Fightin' Kangaroos"
  - VFA-195 "Tigers
  - VFA-203 "Blue Dolphins"
  - VFA-204 "River Rattlers"
  - VFA-205 "Green Falcons"
  - VFA-303 "Golden Hawks"
  - VFA-305 "Hackers"
East Japan
- Japanese People's Aerial Self-Defense Force
Mexico
- Mexican Air Force
- Mexican Navy
  - No.5 Escuadrilla Aeronaval
  - No.6 Escuadrilla Aeronaval
  - No.7 Escuadrilla Aeronaval
  - No.8 Escuadrilla Aeronaval
  - No.9 Escuadrilla Aeronaval
  - No.10 Escuadrilla Aeronaval

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Infobox Aircraft
-{| class="infobox bordered" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" style="font-size: 90%; width:240px;"
+| name         = Long Beach AF F-18/78
-|-
+| image        = [[Image:90272290543898807708.jpg|200px]]
-! colspan="2" style="font-size:125%;text-align:center; background:#4169E1;"| <font color="#FFFFFF">F-18/78
+| role         = Multirole Fighter
-|-
+| bgcolor     =
-{{#if:{{{role<includeonly>|</includeonly>}}} |
+| manufacturer = [[Long Beach Aircraft Factory]]
-{{!}} style="background:#4169E1;" {{!}}<font color="#FFFFFF">'''Role'''</font>
+| operators   = [[American People's Army Air Force]]<br>[[American People's Navy]]<br>[[Mexican Navy]]
-{{!}}Multirole fighter
+| variants     =
-{{!}}-
+}}The '''Long Beach Aircraft Factory F-18/78''' ([[Allied Pact]] reporting name '''Hornet''') is a twin-engine supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets. Designed for use by the [[American People's Army Air Force]] and [[American People's Navy]], the F-18/78 is also used by the air forces of several other nations of the [[Wake Island Association]].
-}}
-{{#if:{{{manufacturer<includeonly>|</includeonly>}}} |
-{{!}} style="background:#4169E1;" {{!}}<font color="#FFFFFF">'''Manufacturer'''</font>
-{{!}}McDonnell Douglas / American People's Army Air Force
-{{!}}-
-}}
-{{#if:{{{produced<includeonly>|</includeonly>}}} |
-{{!}} style="background:#4169E1;" {{!}}<font color="#FFFFFF">'''Produced'''</font>
-{{!}}1978-
-{{!}}-
-}}
-{{#if:{{{users<includeonly>|</includeonly>}}} |
-{{!}} style="background:#4169E1;" {{!}}<font color="#FFFFFF">'''Users'''</font>
-{{!}}American People's Army Air Force
-{{!}}-
-}}
-{{#if:{{{status<includeonly>|</includeonly>}}} |
-{{!}} style="background:#4169E1;" {{!}}<font color="#FFFFFF">'''Status'''</font>
-{{!}}Active
-{{!}}-
-}}
-|}<noinclude>
+All [[America]]n [[Liberty class aircraft carrier|''Liberty''-class carriers]] carry F-18/78 fighters, where they replaced the aging [[Long Beach AF F-4/58|F-4/58 "Phantom"]] fleet.
-[[Image:90272290543898807708.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A F/A-18/78 Hornet prepares to take off from the deck of the APNS ''Admiral Grear''.]]The '''F-18/78''' ([[Allied Pact]] reporting name '''Hornet''') is a twin-engine supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets. Designed for use by the American People's Army Air Force and American People's Navy, the F-18/78 is also used by the air forces of several other nations of the [[Wake Island Association]].
+==Variants==
+===F-18/78a/b===
+The F-18A is the single-seat variant and the F-18B is the two-seat variant. The space for the two-seat cockpit is provided by a relocation of avionic equipment and a 6% reduction in internal fuel; two-seat Hornets are otherwise fully combat-capable. The B model is used primarily for training.
+In the early 1990s, the F-18a/b were rebuilt to F-18c/d standard including modern avionics, electronics, engines, et...
+===F-18/88c/d===
+The F-18c is the single-seat variant and the F-18d is the two-seat variant. The D-model can be configured for training or as an all-weather strike craft. The "missionized" D model's rear seat is configured for a Marine Corps Naval Flight Officer who functions as a Weapons and Sensors Officer to assist in operating the weapons systems. The F/A-18D is primarily operated by the U.S. Marine Corps in the night attack and Forward Air Controller (Airborne) (FAC(A)) roles.
+The F/A-18C and D models are the result of a block upgrade in 1988 incorporating upgraded radar (Type 73 Doppler pulse radar), avionics, and the capacity to carry new missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile and AGM-65 Maverick and AGM-84 Harpoon air-to-surface missiles. Other upgrades include the NACES (Navy Aircrew Common Ejection Seat), and a self-protection jammer.
+A synthetic aperture ground mapping radar enables the pilot to locate targets in poor visibility conditions. C and D models delivered since 1989 also have improved night attack abilities, consisting of the Hughes AN/AAR-50 thermal navigation pod, the Loral AN/AAS-38 NITE Hawk FLIR (forward looking infrared array) targeting pod, night vision goggles, and two full-color (formerly monochrome) multi-function display (MFDs) and a color moving map.
+Beginning in 1992, the F404-GE-402 enhanced performance engine, providing approximately 10% more maximum static thrust became the standard Hornet engine. Since 1993, the AAS-38A NITE Hawk added a designator/ranger laser, allowing it to self-mark targets. The later AAS-38B added the ability to strike targets designated by lasers from other aircraft.
+==Specifications (F-18/88c/d)==
+*General Characteristics:
+**Crew: 1-2
+**Length: 56 feet (17.07 meters)
+**Wingspan: 40 feet (12.2 meters)
+**Height: 15 feet 4 inches (4.67 meters)
+**Wing Area: 400 square feet (37.16 square meters)
+**Airfoil: NACA 65A005 mod root, 65A003.5 mod tip
+**Empty Weight: 23,049 lb (10,455 kg)
+**Loaded Weight: 37,150 lb (16,851 kg)
+**Maximum Takeoff Weight: 51,550 lb (23,383 kg)
+**Powerplant: 2x Evandale Design Bureau F404-402 afterburning turbofans
+***Dry Thrust: 12,150 lbf (54 kN)
+***Thrust with Afterburners: 18,000 lbf (80 kN)
+*Performance:
+**Maximum Speed: Mach 1.8 (1,370 mph; 2,205 km/h)
+**Combat Radius: 330 miles (531.08 kilometers)
+**Ferry Range: 2,070 miles (3,331.34 kilometers)
+**Service Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)
+**Rate of Climb: 50,000 feet/minute (254 meters/second
+**Thrust/Weight Ratio: 0.97
+*Armament:
+**Nine Weapon/ Store Stations (5 pylons: 1 Under Fuselage and 4 Wing Stations) (2 LAU 116 located on sides of fuselage: deploys AIM 95 Agile and AIM 120 AMRAAM Missiles)(2 LAU 7 located on the wing tips: Deploys AIM 9 Sidewinder Missile), carrying up to 13,700 lb (6215 kg) of missiles, rockets, bombs, fuel tanks, and pods.
+**1 × 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan internal Gatling gun with 578 rounds, with a firing rate of 4000 or 6000 shots per minute
+**Munitions:
+***Air-to-Air Missiles: AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-95 Agile, AIM-120 AMRAAM
+***Air-to-Ground Missiles: AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-83 Bulldog, AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84E SLAM, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-119 Penguin, AGM-154 JSOW, AGM-158 JASSM
+***Bombs: Mk.80 series iron bombs, Paveway Series laser guided bombs, JDAM GPS-guided bombs, GBU-15 Glide Bomb, GBU-28 "Bunker Buster" bomb, GBU-31/-32/-35/-38 laser-guided bombs, GBU-39 and GBU-53 Small Diameter Bomb, CBU-99 and CBU-100 Rockeye, CBU-107 Passive Attack Weapon
+*Avionics:
+**AN/APG-73 radar
+**AN/APX-111 IFF
+**AN/ARC-210 RT-1556/ARC VHF/UHF Radio
+**AN/AYK-14 XN-8 mission computer
+**AN/AYQ-9 Stores Management System
+==Users==
+*[[Algeria]]
+**[[Algerian Air Force]]
+*[[America]]
+**[[American People's Army Air Force]]
+**[[American People's Navy]]
+***VFA-12 "Fighting Omars"
+***VFA-15 "Valions"
+***VFA-22 "Fighting Redcocks"
+***VFA-25 "Fist of the Fleet"
+***VFA-27 "Royal Maces"
+***VFA-34 "Blue Blasters"
+***VFA-37 "Ragin' Bulls"
+***VFA-81 "Sunliners"
+***VFA-82 "Marauders"
+***VFA-83 "Roaring Bulls"
+***VFA-86 "Sidewinders"
+***VFA-87 "Golden Warriors"
+***VFA-94 "Tough Kitties"
+***VFA-97 "Warhawks"
+***VFA-104 "Hell's Archers"
+***VFA-105 "Mad Dogs"
+***VFA-106 "Gladiators"
+***VFA-113 "Stingers"
+***VFA-116 "Eagles"
+***VFA-125 "Rough Raiders"
+***VFA-127 "Royal Blues"
+***VFA-131 "Wildcats"
+***VFA-132 "Privateers"
+***VFA-136 "Knighthawks"
+***VFA-137 "Kestrels"
+***VFA-146 "Blacktails"
+***VFA-147 "Argonauts"
+***VFA-151 "Flashers"
+***VFA-161 "Chargers"
+***VFA-192 "Fightin' Kangaroos"
+***VFA-195 "Tigers
+***VFA-203 "Blue Dolphins"
+***VFA-204 "River Rattlers"
+***VFA-205 "Green Falcons"
+***VFA-303 "Golden Hawks"
+***VFA-305 "Hackers"
+*[[East Japan]]
+**[[Japanese People's Aerial Self-Defense Force]]
+*[[Mexico]]
+**[[Mexican Air Force]]
+**[[Mexican Navy]]
+***No.5 Escuadrilla Aeronaval
+***No.6 Escuadrilla Aeronaval
+***No.7 Escuadrilla Aeronaval
+***No.8 Escuadrilla Aeronaval
+***No.9 Escuadrilla Aeronaval
+***No.10 Escuadrilla Aeronaval
 <noinclude>
-[[Category:Airplanes]]</noinclude><noinclude>
+</noinclude><noinclude>
-[[Category:UAPR]]</noinclude>
+[[Category:Airplanes|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]</noinclude>
+[[Category:Algeria|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]
+[[Category:Algerian Air Force|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]
+[[Category:American People's Army Air Force|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]
+[[Category:American People's Marine Corps|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]
+[[Category:American People's Navy|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]
+[[Category:East Japan|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]
+[[Category:East Japanese Air Force|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]<noinclude>
+[[Category:Fighters|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]</noinclude>
+[[Category:Fourth-Generation Jet Fighters|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]
+[[Category:Mexican Air Force|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]
+[[Category:Mexican Navy|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]
+[[Category:Mexico|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]
+[[Category:Long Beach AF|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]<noinclude>
+[[Category:UAPR|F-18/78, Long Beach AF]]</noinclude>