The Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornet

The Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornet is a multi-role fighter designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It is capable of air interception, air combat, close air support of ground troops, and interdiction of enemy supply lines including shipping.

The Hornet is operated by:

• No 3 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle
• No 75 Squadron, RAAF Base Tindal, near Katherine
• No 77 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown
• No 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Base Williamtown, who train pilots transferring to Hornet squadrons.

Hornet weapons include:

• 20mm nose-mounted cannon
• wide range of air-to air and air-to-surface missiles
• laser-guided and conventional bombs.

The Hornet is capable of air-to-air refuelling from our old Boeing B-707 aircraft and the new KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transports .
The Hornet was developed for the US Navy and Marine Corps and has been a very successful aircraft. It is also used by Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland. The fleet has just undergone a major avionics upgrade to ensure effective operations for the next 10 to 15 years.
Air Force will obtain 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets by 2010 to ensure Australia's air combat capability edge is maintained until the full introduction into service of the F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter.

Related links

• RAAF Museum Hornet history
• RAAF Base Tindal
• RAAF Base Williamtown
• No 3 Squadron
• No 75 Squadron
• No 77 Squadron
• No 2 Operational Conversion Unit

Boeing F/A-18 Hornet technical specifications

Manufacturer	Boeing (originally McDonnell-Douglas)
Role	Multi-role fighter
Crew	One or two
Engine	Two low-bypass F404-GE-400 turbofans (7,258kg thrust each)
Airframe	Length: 17.1m, height: 4.7m
Wingspan	12.4m
Weight	10,660kg basic, 20,412kg maximum
Speed	Mach 1.8 (2,200km/h)
Range	Ferrying 2,700km (without refuelling) Interdiction over 1,000km Combat radius 740km
Ceiling	Above 45,000 feet
Weapons	AIM-120 AMRAAM active radar guided missiles AIM-7 Sparrow radar-guided long-range missiles AIM-9 Sidewinder infra-red seeking missiles Harpoon anti-ship missiles conventional and laser-guided bombs M61 20mm nose-mounted cannon
Avionics	Hughes APG73 multi-mode radar GPS inertial navigation system VHF omni-directional range/instrument landing system two mission computers head-up cockpit display multi-functional cathode ray tube displays  SOURSCE :http://www.airforce.gov.au/Aircraft/hornet.aspx