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YF-17:
First prototype manufactured by Northrop, as a culmination of the P-530
'Cobra' studies initiated in the 1960's. Competed in the new Air Combat
Fighter (ACF) project for the U.S.A.F. against the General Dynamics YF-16
prototype, the YF-17 lost.
YF-17 Model 267: Northrop/McDonnell Douglas jointly manufactured second version prototype. A navalised version manufactured for evaluation in the (NACF) New Naval Air combat Fighter. Again it competed against the YF-16, this time the YF-17 won.
F/A-18 A: This was the first model manufactured in the 'Hornet' range of single-seat escort fighter with attack duties. For it's latter role, the fuselage mounted Sparrow AAM's usually carried in the fighter role are replaced by a FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) pod and laser tracking equipment. Powered by two General Electric F404-GE-400 Turbofans. This model is the most widely used, especially by foreign operators.
TF-18A / F/A-18 B: Tandem two-seat, dual control variant of the above model, the main difference is it has a 6% reduction fuel capacity due to the extra room occupied by the second crew station. Full combat capability is retained however.
F/A-18 L: The 'L' in this variant applies to its purpose as a land-based version, multi-role variant. This variant was not marketed by McDonnell Douglas though; it was marketed by its primary sub-contractor, Northrop. The 'L' variant is 2,250lb (1000kg) lighter because of the deletion of specific naval equipment, lighter and less complex landing gear, smaller and lighter arrestor hook, and the deletion of under-fuselage missile housings. The wings cannot be folded as it's naval relative's can, and an extra pylon is added under each wing. This means that this variant has a total of 11 stores stations. This model ultimately died out due to the success of the F/A-18 A, before it even had chance to be put into production.
TF/A-18 L: Tandem (two-seat), dual control variant of the above model. Full transitional training variant, full combat capability is retained however.
F/A-18 R: Reconnaissance variant of the standard production model F/A-18 A. The gun has been removed from the nose and replaced by a twin-sensor package with windows in a bulged under-fairing. The equipment carried by the 'R' variant can include a KA-99 Low-or-Medium altitude panoramic camera and/or an AAD-5 Infra-red linescan. The whole housing for this equipment can be fitted or removed overnight. 120 are expected to have replaced the F-14A TARPS (Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System), and RF-4B Phantom reconnaissance variant in U.S. service by the time you read this.
CF/A-18 A: Single-seat variant for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Main differences in this variant are the inclusion of a powerful 600,000 candle-power search light in the forward port fuselage to facilitate better identification of aircraft during nighttime interceptions. The replacement of the automatic carrier landing system, being replaced with a runway Instrument Landing System (ILS). Also of note is the inclussion of an Arctic survival pack in case a pilot finds himself downed in the harsh northern Canadian territories.
CF/A-18 B: Tandem two-seat dual control variant of the above model CF/18-A for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Full combat capability is retained however.
F/A-18 A (Australia): Single-seat variant for the Royal Australian Air Force. Main differences in this variant is the inclusion of a long-range HF radio, night landing lights and provision for a reconnaissance pod and practice bomb dispensers. These changes are merely very small detail changes.
F/A-18 B (Australia): Tandem two-seat dual control variant of the above model Australian model. Full combat capability is retained however.
EF-18 A: Single-seat variant for the Spanish Air Force, this model is designated C.15 by the Spanish. There are no real differences in this model from the standard production F/A-18 A model other than some of the parts for manufacture being made locally in Spain.
EF-18 B: Tandem two-seat dual control variant of the above model for the Spanish Air Force. The local Spanish designation for this model is CE.15. Full combat capability is retained.
F/A-18 C: Improved and updated version of the first production 'A' model single-seat variant. In service since 1992, it's maiden flight having taken place on the 3rd September 1986, this aircraft being numbered 163427. Improvements consist of the ability to carry the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile), and Infra-red imaging AGM-65F Maverick air-to-surface missile. The main difference is the reason for its creation, the inclusion of additional night attack systems and sensors. This brings with it the addition of helmet mounted night vision goggles (NVG) for the crew, and a new FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) sensor manufactured by Hughes Aircraft Co. and called Thermal Imaging Navigation Set (TINS). The TINS helps the pilot navigate and assists in designation, identification and attacking of ground targets at night. The improvements also include a moving digital map. There are also many more improvements implemented into this updated model.
F/A-18 D: Tandem twin-seat dual control variant of the improved 'C' model above. This model is identical to the 'C' model except for the 6% reduction in fuel due to the second crew station. This model had its maiden flight on the 22nd October 1986, this aircraft being numbered 163434. Full combat capability is retained in this variant as in the other above tandem Hornets.
F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet
