Small Scale Stingers

Huw Morgan stirs up a tiny nest of Hornets.

- Huw Morgan

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 (Fighter/Attack) Hornet is undoubtedly the workhorse of the current US Navy strike and fighter capability. Entering service in early 1979, it had undergone a long gestation from the Northrop YF-17, the loser to the F-16 in the Air Force's Lightweight Fighter (LWF). With Congressional pressure on the Navy to reduce costs, Northrop and General Dynamics were both obliged to partner with a manufacturer with naval contract experience. Northrop ended up teaming with McDonnell Douglas, who having realised that they were behind the curve in terms of a response to current Navy requirements, clearly saw the YF-17 as a potential winner. Initial versions of the F/A-18 looked similar to the YF-17, but were in fact virtually a new airframe, being bigger, stronger, heavier and with a wing fold.

The first generation of Hornets, the A, and B two-seater, set the basic shape and form for the family, characterised by a high thrust to weight ratio, full-span leading-edge slats and plain flaps to the 20-degree swept wing, long Leading Edge Extensions (LEX) to assist in controlling flow into the under-wing intakes and multi-function digital electronics and cockpit instrumentation. In 1987 these versions were quickly improved into the C and D with better avionics, radar and a wider range of weapon compatibility. A specialist version of the two-seat D was developed to incorporate an electro-optical reconnaissance pack fitted in the space normally occupied by the Vulcan cannon and its ammunition. This Advanced Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance System (ATARS) is used by the US Marine Corps.