Type: multi-role attack and fighter aircraft
Bureau Number: 162435
NMNA ID: 2007.046.001
Powerplant: two 71.2-kN (16,020-lb-thrust) afterburning General Electric F404-GE-400 turbofans
Maximum speed: Mach 1.8 or 1915 km/h (1190 mph) at 12,190 m (40,000 ft)
Combat radius: 1060 km (659 miles)
Initial climb rate: 305 m/sec (1000 fps)
Service ceiling: 15,240 m (50,000 ft)
Weights: empty 10,455 kg (23,049 lb); loaded 22,328 kg (49,225 lb)
Armament: one Martin Marietta M61A1 Vulcan 20-mm cannon; two AIM-9L Sidewinder missles; 7000 kg of ordinance
Dimensions:
Span: 11.43 m (37 ft 6 in)
Length: 17.07 m (56 ft)
Height: 4.66 m (15 ft 3 in)
Wing area: 37.16m2 (400 sq ft)
This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola, FL
The single seat F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather fighter and attack aircraft. Hornet holds the distinction of being our nation's first strike-fighter. According to the United States Navy, "it was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air support without compromising its fighter capabilities. With its excellent fighter and self-defense capabilities, the F/A-18 at the same time increases strike mission survivability and replaces the F-14 Tomcat in fleet air defense. F/A-18 Hornets are currently operating in 37 tactical squadrons from air stations world-wide, and from 10 aircraft carriers." America's premier flight demonstration team, the Navy's Blue Angels Squadron, currently flies the F/A-18 Hornet.
A Wing and a Prayer... and a Crane!
For the second time in less than a year, the Patriots Point staff was called upon to work out the details of bringing a new aircraft to Yorktown's flight deck. Our latest addition served as part of the Marine Reserve's Flying Gators squadron of Hornets stationed at Naval Air Station Atlanta. In 2005, the Flying Gators become the first fixed wing Marine Reserve unit activated since the Korean War, flying missions in Iraq.
Our Hornet was flown from Atlanta to Jacksonville, Florida in the fall of 2007 where it went through the demilitarization process and was disassembled. In early October the aircraft was trucked from Jacksonville to the Charleston area arriving just in time for rush hour traffic and more than a few curious looks from motorists. Reassembled on the grounds of Patriots Point, the Hornet was carefully rolled down the pier and on October 9, 2007 was lifted by crane onto Yorktown's flight deck to the delight of some two hundred spectators who gathered to watch the process.
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Within one hour, USS Laffey was hit by five Japanese Kamikazes and three enemy bombs.
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