The Super Hornet is a larger, longer-range evolution of the Hornet, combining fighter agility with precision strike and carrier-based versatility. It also serves as the basis for aerial refueling and electronic-attack operations, allowing a common carrier-air-wing family to cover missions once divided among several specialized aircraft.
INTERACTIVE MODEL LOADS WHEN NEARBY
2016 / ModernAirframe B
F-35A Lightning II
Lockheed Martin · Conventional multirole fighter
HISTORICAL FIELD NOTE
The conventional-runway F-35A combines low-observable shaping, sensor fusion, and internal weapons carriage with the lightest airframe and largest internal fuel load of the three F-35 variants. It entered U.S. Air Force operational service in 2016 and is designed for both air-to-air and precision-strike missions.
PERFORMANCE
SPECIFICATION BREAKDOWN
METRICF/A-18E/F Super HornetF-35A Lightning II
Top speed
Mach 1.8REFERENCE VALUE
Mach 1.6REFERENCE VALUE
Ceiling
50,000+ ftAPPROXIMATE / PUBLISHED
50,000 ftREFERENCE VALUE
Range
1,458 miREFERENCE VALUE
1,200+ nmiAPPROXIMATE / PUBLISHED
Archive milestone
Service entry · 1999REFERENCE VALUE
Service entry · 2016REFERENCE VALUE
Nation
United StatesDESCRIPTIVE VALUE
United StatesDESCRIPTIVE VALUE
Primary role
Carrier strike fighterDESCRIPTIVE VALUE
Conventional multirole fighterDESCRIPTIVE VALUE
Values are concise archive references and can vary by variant, payload, configuration, altitude, operating conditions, and source. Range may describe different published measures where a directly comparable figure is unavailable.
