F/A-18 Hornet Fighter: Climb Aboard the Innovative “Magic Carpet” Ride

By Kris Osborn, Washington, DC

Next-generation infrared target tracking, conformal fuel tanks, a fully redesigned digital cockpit, and new “glide slope” carrier-landing software are just a few of the many life-extending enhancements woven into the U.S. Navy’s classic F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet.

The Navy’s F/A-18 has already more than outlived its anticipated service through extension programs, upgrades, and massive amounts of modernization to ensure the 1980s-launched jet remains relevant, lethal, and cutting-edge in a modern threat environment.

While the original McDonnell Douglas-Northrop airframe dates all the way back to the mid-1970s, today’s F/lA-18 is virtually an entirely new aircraft due to the scope of its technological enhancements. In recent years, the aircraft was the focus of an extensive Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) designed to upgrade and reinforce the airframes, onboard electronics, and engine performance. Specifically, Navy and industry engineers modified the center barrel section to reinforce the airframe.

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The impact of this SLEP has been quite substantial, as it has extended the F/A-18’s flight hours from 6,000 all the way up to 10,000 over the course of many years. 

Simply put, this has added many years to the relevance, performance, and continued operational functionality of the F/A-18. This has been and continues to be critical for the Navy as the service fast-tracks the arrival of its 6th-generation F/A-XX Next Generation Air Dominance platform.