| The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (specifications) is a twin engine, all weather aircraft, used as both an air-to-ground as well as an air-to-air fighter. In the fighter role, the F/A-18, with a combination of AIM-9 Sidewinders, AIM-7 Sparrow or AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, is used as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense. In the attack role, it is used for close air support and force projection, with the ability to carry different munitions, including JDAM and Paveway laser guided bombs. Produced for the US Navy and Marine Corps, the F/A-18 is powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofan engines, producing 22,000 pounds of thrust each, giving the Hornet mach 1.8+ speed. As part of the Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11), VMFA-531, the Gray Ghosts, received its last of twelve F/A-18 Hornets on August 28, 1983. VMFA-531 was decommissioned in March 1992. |
