The combat-proven
F/A-18 Hornet is a single- and dual-seat,
twin-engine multimission tactical aircraft. It is the first
tactical aircraft designed from its inception to carry out both
air-to-air and
air-to-ground missions.
A key aspect of the
Hornet's popularity with pilots is the ease with which the aircraft can be converted from
fighter to
strike mode and back again; it's as easy as flipping a switch. During
Operation Desert Storm,
F/A-18s routinely performed fighter and strike missions on the
same sortie. Fulfilling a variety of roles-
air superiority,
fighter escort,
suppression of
enemy air defenses,
reconnaissance,
forward air control,
close air support, and
day and night strike missions-the
F/A-18 has proven to be the most
versatile combat aircraft in service