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F/A-18 Hornet
The F/A-18 Hornet is
a modern all-weather carrier strike fighter.
It is an aircraft designed to fill the roles
of fighter aircraft and attack aircraft. Designed
in the 1970s, it is in service with the U.S.
Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, as well as several
other nations. It fills the roles of fighter
escort, fleet air defense, suppression of
enemy air defenses (SEAD), interdiction, close
and deep air support, reconnaissance, and
forward air control. Its versatility and reliability
have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset,
and its only drawback is its relative lack
of range, speed, and ability to land on aircraft
carriers with significant combat loads.
The F/A-18 design began
as the Northrop YF-17 Cobra, one of two competing
designs for the USAF's Lightweight Fighter
Program, on which the USN was a minor partner.
The YF-17 prototype first flew in 1974. The
Navy preferred the YF-17 over the winning
F-16 Fighting Falcon, because of its twin-engine
design. For the Navy version, Northrop teamed
with McDonnell Douglas to capitalize on the
latter's extensive experience in building
carrier aircraft, including the highly successful
F-4. When the two services ended up selecting
different aircraft, McDonnell Douglas became
the primary contractor.
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