F/a 18
www.vanguardcanada.com JUNE/JULY 2016 17
F/a 18 super hornet Fast facts
Role: Carrier-based multi-role fighter
Nation of origin: United States
Manufacturer: Boeing Defence,
McDonnell Douglas
First flight: November 29, 1995
Produced: 1995 to present
Number built: 500 as of April 2011
Status: In service
Primary users: United States Navy, Royal
Australian Air Force
Program cost: Total Procurement –
US$48.09 billion (through FY 2011)
Developed from: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18
Hornet
I had a chat with Ricardo recently at the Cansec 2016 defence
industry conference, and he spoke about the vast improvements
the Super Hornet has over the older CF-18 as well as its advantages
over the F-35.
The United States navy "loved the Hornet", according to Ri-
cardo, so when it came to designing the F/A 18, Boeing asked
them how they could improve the Hornet. The result was a bigger,
longer range, more capable aircraft – the Super Hornet.
Although the Hornet and Super Hornet share many characteris-
tics, including avionics, ejection seats, radar, mission computer soft-
ware, and maintenance/operating procedures, the Super Hornet is
really a new plane that is approximately 20 per cent larger, 3,200 kg
REDEFINING
INNOVATION
• Bringing innovation to the
global marketplace
• Conveniently located between
Toronto and Detroit
• A 25,000 sq. ft. product testing
facility unlike any other in Canada
www.CCPV.ca
07090_CCPV_ad_FINAL_a.indd 1 2016-05-03 10:19 AM
Continued on page 19
F
