F-18 Super Hornet Price Revealed: Latest Costs And Specs

The F-18 Super Hornet is a twin-engine, multirole fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas). It is a crucial part of the United States Navy's airpower, providing a versatile platform for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. As a highly advanced fighter jet, the F-18 Super Hornet's price is a topic of great interest among aviation enthusiasts and defense experts alike. In this article, we will delve into the latest costs and specs of the F-18 Super Hornet, exploring its features, capabilities, and the factors that influence its pricing.

F-18 Super Hornet taking off from an aircraft carrier

History and Development of the F-18 Super Hornet

The F-18 Super Hornet has its roots in the 1970s, when the United States Navy began looking for a replacement for its aging F-4 Phantom II and A-7 Corsair II fleets. McDonnell Douglas, which later merged with Boeing, responded to the Navy's request for proposals with the F-18 Hornet, a twin-engine, multirole fighter designed to excel in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.

The F-18 Hornet first entered service in 1980, and it quickly became a stalwart of the Navy's airpower. However, as the years passed, the Hornet began to show its age, and the Navy began looking for a more advanced replacement. In the 1990s, Boeing began developing the F-18E/F Super Hornet, a significantly upgraded version of the original Hornet.

The F-18E/F Super Hornet made its first flight in 1995 and entered service with the Navy in 2001. Since then, it has become a crucial part of the Navy's airpower, providing a versatile platform for a wide range of missions.

Features and Capabilities of the F-18 Super Hornet

So, what makes the F-18 Super Hornet such a formidable fighter jet? Here are some of its key features and capabilities:

Advanced Avionics: The F-18 Super Hornet is equipped with advanced avionics, including a AN/APG-73 radar system, a AN/ALQ-214 Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) system, and a AN/ARC-210 radio system.
Multirole Capability: The F-18 Super Hornet is designed to excel in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, making it a versatile platform for a wide range of missions.
Advanced Propulsion: The F-18 Super Hornet is powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400 engines, which provide a combined 44,000 pounds of thrust.
Carrier Capability: The F-18 Super Hornet is designed to operate from aircraft carriers, providing the Navy with a versatile platform for sea-based airpower.

Latest Costs of the F-18 Super Hornet

So, how much does the F-18 Super Hornet cost? The answer to this question is complex, as the cost of the aircraft can vary depending on a number of factors, including the specific variant, the production lot, and the configuration.

According to a 2020 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the unit cost of the F-18E/F Super Hornet is approximately $67 million. However, this cost does not include a number of additional expenses, such as research and development costs, production costs, and operational and maintenance costs.

Here is a breakdown of the estimated costs of the F-18 Super Hornet:

Unit Cost: $67 million (2020 estimate)
Total Program Cost: $54.4 billion (2020 estimate)
Research and Development Cost: $12.5 billion (2020 estimate)
Production Cost: $31.4 billion (2020 estimate)
Operational and Maintenance Cost: $10.5 billion (2020 estimate)

F-18 Super Hornet landing on an aircraft carrier

Comparison with Other Fighter Jets

The F-18 Super Hornet is just one of many advanced fighter jets in service today. Here's how it compares to some of its closest competitors:

F-35 Lightning II: The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter jet developed by Lockheed Martin. It has a unit cost of approximately $80 million and is designed to excel in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.
F-15EX: The F-15EX is a advanced version of the F-15 Eagle, developed by Boeing. It has a unit cost of approximately $80 million and is designed to excel in air-to-air combat.
Eurofighter Typhoon: The Eurofighter Typhoon is a multirole fighter jet developed by a consortium of European companies. It has a unit cost of approximately $100 million and is designed to excel in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.

Future Upgrades and Developments

The F-18 Super Hornet is a highly advanced fighter jet, but it is not immune to the need for upgrades and developments. Here are some of the future upgrades and developments planned for the F-18 Super Hornet:

Block III Upgrade: The Block III upgrade is a major upgrade program for the F-18 Super Hornet, which includes a number of advanced features such as a new radar system, a new electronic warfare system, and a new communication system.
Advanced Cockpit System: The Advanced Cockpit System is a new cockpit design for the F-18 Super Hornet, which includes a number of advanced features such as a new head-up display, a new helmet-mounted display, and a new voice command system.
F/A-18 Hornet Roadmap: The F/A-18 Hornet Roadmap is a long-term plan for the F-18 Super Hornet, which includes a number of upgrades and developments planned for the next 20 years.

Gallery of F-18 Super Hornet Images

F-18 Super Hornet Image Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the F-18 Super Hornet:

What is the F-18 Super Hornet's top speed? The F-18 Super Hornet's top speed is approximately Mach 1.8 (1,190 mph).
What is the F-18 Super Hornet's range? The F-18 Super Hornet's range is approximately 1,275 miles (2,054 km).
What is the F-18 Super Hornet's service ceiling? The F-18 Super Hornet's service ceiling is approximately 50,000 feet (15,240 meters).
What is the F-18 Super Hornet's armament? The F-18 Super Hornet is armed with a 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon, as well as a variety of missiles and bombs.

Conclusion

The F-18 Super Hornet is a highly advanced fighter jet that plays a crucial role in the United States Navy's airpower. With its advanced avionics, multirole capability, and carrier capability, it is a versatile platform for a wide range of missions. While its cost is significant, the F-18 Super Hornet's capabilities and performance make it a valuable asset for the Navy. As the F-18 Super Hornet continues to undergo upgrades and developments, it will remain a key part of the Navy's airpower for years to come.

We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive overview of the F-18 Super Hornet's latest costs and specs. If you have any further questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reach out.