Hobby Master HA5127 | F/A-18E Super hornet , US Navy 166776, VFA-31 ' Tomcatters' Mediterranean Sea, 2011

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:

In May 2011 VFA-31 “Tomcatters” sailed on the USS George H.W. Bush during its maiden deployment that would take them to the Mediterranean Sea to conduct operations with the 5th and 6th Fleet. Once arriving VFA-31 began flying in support of “Operation Inherent Resolve”. This meant numerous ground attacks against ISS targets in Syria as well as peaceful intercepts of MiG-29s. The USS George H.W. Bush and the “Tomcatters” returned to NAS Oceana. VFA-31 is the second oldest USN squadron and uses the callsign “Felix”.

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