- "Hornets...Don't let 'em sting you in the ass."
- ― Larry Foulke during Operation Choker One[1]
The F/A-18C Hornet (F/A-18 in Air Combat and F/A-18D in Ace Combat 2) is a multirole carrier-based aircraft.
This C variant appeared in early Ace Combat games, but is not present in more recent titles. It has been superseded by the F/A-18F Super Hornet on consoles and the F/A-18E Super Hornet on handheld devices.
History[]
Strangereal[]
The Hornet participated in a number of large conflicts, the first of which was the Belkan War. The most notable user was the Grun Team, led by Bernhard Schmidt.[2] Alongside the Belkan War, the Hornet was also used in the Skully Islands insurrection. A notable pilot was Scarface Squadron member Riho.
During the Continental War, Hornets were used by both the ISAF Navy and the Federal Erusea Air Force. An Erusean pilot, callsign Vaisala, used the aircraft.[3]
During the Circum-Pacific War, Hornets were used by both the Osean Maritime Defense Force and the Yuktobanian Air Force.
Game Analysis[]
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War[]
- "Due to the limited number of planes an aircraft carrier can hold, the carrier-based "Hornet" was designed as a multirole aircraft to handle both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions."
- ― Hangar description
How to Unlock
- Available for 36,000 credits after completing mission 3: The Round Table in Soldier Ace Style
Statistics
- Speed: 68
- Mobility: 44
- Stability: 53
- Defense: 57
- Air-to-Air: 27
- Air-to-Ground: 62
Weapons
- MSSL x64
- LASM x10
- Semi-Active Air-to-Air Missile x8
- Stand-Off Dispenser x12
Named Pilots
- Meteor Squadron
- Monika Starke
- Kolibri (Honeysucker)
- BAF 10th Air Division/8th Tactical Fighter Squadron "Grun" (Green)
- Joshua Bristow
Colors
- Standard: Air superiority gray
- Mercenary: Blue Angels-style livery, blue body with yellow wing/tail trim and black upper fuselage
- Soldier: Green and brown camouflage
- Knight: Two-tone desert brown camouflage with black nose
- Special: Grun Team livery
Gallery
Standard color
Mercenary color
Soldier color
Knight color
Special color
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War[]
- "Due to limited amount of planes a carrier can hold. This carrier based Hornet was designed as a multirole aircraft to handle both air-to-ground and air-to-air targets."
- ― Hangar description
How to Unlock
- Available for Ƶ13,100 each after completing mission 6: White Bird (Part I)
Statistics
- Speed: 68
- Mobility: 44
- Stability: 53
- Defense: 57
- Air-to-Air: 27
- Air-to-Ground: 62
Weapons
Colors
- OS: Air superiority gray
- RZ: Black/Dark grey nose
- YK: Dark blue body
Gallery
OMDF color in the hangar
Razgriz color in the hangar
An F/A-18C in Yuktobanian colors
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies[]
Description
- "Multi-role carrier-based fighter. Able to carry virtually every weapon ever made."
- ― Hangar description
How to Unlock
- Available for purchase after completing mission 6: Invincible Fleet. Costs 170,000 credits
Statistics
- Speed: Medium
- Air-to-air: Medium
- Air-to-ground: Medium
- Mobility: Medium
- Stability: Medium
- Defense: Above average
Weapons
Named Pilots
- Vaisala (Shattered Skies (mission))
Colors
- Standard: Air superiority gray
- Erusea: Two-tone desert brown camouflage
- Special: Vaisala livery, yellow body with red outer wing stripes and red vertical stabilizer and word "Vaisala" written beneath the cockpit.
Gallery
ISAF color scheme in the hangar
Erusean color scheme in the hangar
Ace Vaisala color scheme in the hangar
Vaisala
Ace Combat 2[]
How to Unlock
- The F/A-18D is not available to the player in this game.
Colors
- Enemy type A: Air superiority gray
- Enemy type B: Two-tone brown camouflage
Gallery
Enemy type A
Enemy type B
Air Combat[]
How to Unlock
- EASY
- Available for purchase at the start of the game
- NORMAL
- Complete mission 2: Fighter Superiority
- HARD
- Complete mission 2: Fighter Superiority
Price
- $3,000,000 - original price
- $2,700,000 - after first discount
- $2,400,000 - after second discount
- $1,800,000 - after third discount
Statistics
- Defense: 2
- Power: 4
- Mobility: 3
- Offense: 4
- Stability: 3
Named Pilots
- Riho (available as a wingman)
Gallery
F/A-18 in hangar (1)
F/A-18 in hangar (2)
Enemy F/A-18
Trivia[]
- Since the aircraft only appeared in Ace Combat 2, its part in the Usean coup d'état is considered non-canon. It was superseded in Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy by the F/A-18E.