McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather supersonic, twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole combat aircraft, designed as both a fighter and attack aircraft. Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations, and formerly by the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
YF-16 and YF-17 prototypes being tested by the U.S. Air Force
The Northrop YF-17 Cobra was developed into the carrier-capable F/A-18.
First preproduction F-18A in October 1978
A carrier-based aircraft is a naval aircraft designed for operations from aircraft carriers. Carrier-based aircraft must be able to launch in a short distance and be sturdy enough to withstand the abrupt forces of launching from and recovering on a pitching deck. In addition, their wings are generally able to fold up, easing operations in tight quarters.
An F/A-18C Hornet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk
A Royal Navy Fairey Swordfish taking-off from HMS Tracker, 1943
An F-35B utilizes a ski-jump to become airborne off the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth
The E-2 Hawkeye is one of the larger air frames on a carrier