F/A-18E Super Hornet

The F/A-18E/F aircraft are 4.2 feet longer than earlier Hornets, have a 25% larger wing area, and carry 33% more internal fuel which will effectively increase mission range by 41% and endurance by 50%. This also allows it to refuel other aircraft mid-air using a "buddy pack" system. The Super Hornet also incorporates two additional weapon stations. This allows for increased payload flexibility by mixing and matching air-to-air and/or air-to-ground ordnance. The aircraft can also carry the complete complement of "smart" weapons, including the newest joint weapons such as JDAM and JSOW.

The Super Hornet can carry approximately 17,750 pounds (8,032 kg) of external load on eleven stations. It has an all-weather air-to-air radar and a control system for accurate delivery of conventional or guided weapons. There are two wing tip stations, four inboard wing stations for fuel tanks or air-to-ground weapons, two nacelle fuselage stations for Sparrows or sensor pods, and one centerline station for fuel or air-to-ground weapons. An internal 20mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon is mounted in the nose.

Although 41% interdiction mission range increase may be the most notable F/A-18E improvement, the ability to recover aboard with optimal reserve fuel and a load of precision strike weapons, is of equal importance. The growth potential of the F/A-18E is more important to allow flexible employment strategies in future years. If an electronically scanned array antenna or another installation-sensitive sensor or weapon system becomes available, the F/A-18E has the space, power and cooling to accommodate it. Although the more recent F/A-18C Hornet aircraft have incorporated a modicum of low observables technology, the F/A-18E was designed from the outset to optimize this and other survivability enhancements.

Standard Weapons

 * Gun: 1 x 20mm M61A2 Lightweight Vulcan Cannon
 * Missiles: AIM-9M Sidewinder

Special Weapons

 * XMAA: AIM-120C AMRAAM (AC5/ACX/ACX2)
 * NPB: Mk.77 (ACX)
 * ECMP: ALQ-99 Tactical Jammer Pod (ACX/ACX2)
 * UGB: Mk.82 500lb Bomb (ACX2)
 * LAGM: AGM-88A HARM (ACX2)

Ace Combat 2

 * Power: 80
 * Defense: 55
 * Mobility: 60
 * Stability: 60
 * Climbing Ability: 80
 * Air-to-Air: 60
 * Air-to-Ground: 90

Ace Combat 5

 * Speed: 78
 * Mobility: 58
 * Stability: 63
 * Defense: 61
 * Air-to-Air: 68
 * Air-to-Ground: 43

Ace Combat X

 * Speed: 75
 * Air-to-Air: 66
 * Air-to-Ground: 42
 * Mobility: 57
 * Stability: 66
 * Defense: 54

Comparable Aircraft

 * EF-2000 Typhoon
 * Rafale M / Rafale C
 * F-16F Fighting Falcon
 * Su-35 Super Flanker
 * F-14D Super Tomcat
 * F-15SE Silent Eagle