The CF-188 Hornet, commonly called the CF-18, is a multi-role fighter aircraft. It is used for air defence, air superiority, ground attack, tactical support, training, aerobatic demonstration, and aerospace testing and evaluation.
The Hornet is a fast, light and manoeuvrable aircraft. Because of its power, speed and target-tracking capabilities, it has had great success in many military operations in Canada and around the world.
General characteristics
- Length: 56 ft (17.07 m)
- Wingspan: 40 ft (12.19 m)
- Height: 15.3 ft (4.67 m)
- Empty weight: 10,455 kg (23,049 lb)
- Gross weight: 16,851 kg (37,150 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 23,383 kg (51,550 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 turbojets F404 de General Electric.
- Maximum standard thrust per engine: 4,850 kg (10,700 lb)
- Maximum afterburner thrust per engine: 7,290 kg (16,000 lb)
- Armament air-air: Air Intercept Missile (AIM) 9M infrared guided missile, AIM 7 radar guided missile, AIM 120 radar guided missile, 20 mm canon.
- Armament air-ground: Mk 82, Mk 83, Mk 84, GBU 10, 12, 16 and 24 laser guided bombs, Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) 31, 38 and 49 GPS guided bombs and the 20 mm cannon
- Crew: 1 (CF-188A), 2 (CF-188B)
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 1.8
- Maximum speed: 1,814 km/h, (979.5 kts)
- Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
- Rate of climb: 50,000 ft/min (250 m/s)
- Range: 3,300 km (1,800 nmi)