Hobby Master HA5126 | F/A-18E Super Hornet 166608,  flown by Captain Scott Stearny, VFA-143 "Pukin Dogs", 2009

General Background:

The McDonnell Douglas Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet is a twin-engine multi-role carrier-based aircraft. The “E” variant is single-seater while the “F” variant is a tandem-seat configuration. The “E” is a much larger, more advanced and more capable variant of the F/A-18C. The Super variant can carry a larger array of weapons as well as more of them and is capable of returning to the carrier while still carrying unspent munitions, a big savings in dollars. The first F/A-18E flight was in 1995 and began delivery to the USN in 1999.

The Aircraft:

Commissioned in 1949 as VF-871 “Griffins” and eventually became VFA-143 “Pukin” Dogs”. In 2005 VF-143 was re-equipped with the F/A-18E Super Hornet and became Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-143. In 2013 VFA-143 earned the Wade McClusky Award that is presented annually to the most outstanding attack squadron in the USN. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower went for maintenance during 2014 so the Dogs took part in Naval Weapons System Evaluation Program (NWESP) for two weeks and mission training with the 123rd FS. Late in the year VFA-143 supported VFA-101 F-35 pilot training.

McDonnell Douglas original designer, merged with Boeing 1997
F/A-18E Super Hornet
Role – Multi-role attack and fighter
Crew -1
Performance
Powerplants – 2 x F414-GE-400 turbofans
Thrust (Static) – 22,000 lbs (9,977kg) per engine
Ceiling – 50,000 ft + Speed – Mach 1.8 +
Weight – Maximum Gross Take-off 66,000 lbs (29,932 kg)
Dimensions
Length – 60.3 ft (18.5 m)
Height – 16 ft (4.87 m)
Wingspan – 44.9 ft (13.68 m)
Armament
1 x M61A1/A2 Vulcan 20mm cannon (internal)
Possible External Payload
AIM 9 Sidewinder AIM 7 Sparrow AIM-120 AMRAAM Harpoon HARM
Shrike SLAM SLAM-ER Walleye Maverick JSOW (Joint-Stand-Off Weapon) JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munitions An assortment of bombs, mines and rockets