Hornet Data File
Mc Donnell Douglas F/A-18A (Australian)
Australian type designation
A21 which forms the first part of their RAAF serial numbers.
Serials for the F/A-18A (single seat) run from A21-01 to A21-57.
Serials for the F/A-18B (twin seat) run from A21-101 to A21-118.
Airframe
Semi monocoque fuselage primarily of light alloy with graphite/epoxy access
doors; titanium fire wall between engines; pressurized cockpit section;
air brake on upper fuselage between fins; fixed inlet ramps.
multi spar wing of mainly light alloy and graphite/epoxy construction;
boundary layer control by wing root slots; full span leading edge
manoeuvring flaps extend to 30 deg; single slotted trailing edge flaps
extend to 45 deg; ailerons drop to 45 deg for low approach speeds; leading
and trailing edge flaps computer controlled for optimum lift and drag;
wing root leading edge extensions for high angle of attack capability;
wings fold inboard of ailerons.
Tail surfaces of mainly graphite/epoxy construction. All moving horizontal
tail planes; twin canted fins and rudders; tail surfaces operate collectively
and differentially.
retractable tricycle landing gear stressed for carrier operations. twin
wheels on forward retracting nose gear; single on main which retracts
rearwards rotating through 90 deg to stow horizontally inside lower surface
of engine air ducts. arrestor hook under rear fuselage,nose wheel catapult
attachment not fitted to Australian Hornets.
Internal fuel capacity approx 6,057 liters in self sealing tanks, provision
for one to three 1,249 liter external tanks, maximum combined capacity
approx 9,804 liters. retractable flight refuelling probe in upper starboard
nose.
Powerplants
Two General Electric F404-GE-400 low bypass turbofans each rated at
10,600lb thrust dry and 16,000lb thrust with afterburners.
Accommodation
Pilot only (F/A-18A) or two pilots (F/A-18B) on Martin Baker SJU-5/6
zero-zero/600 knot ejection seat.
Systems
Two independent hydraulic systems of 3,000psi; quadruplex digital fly-by-
wire control system with direct electrical backup to all surfaces and
direct mechanical backup to stabilators; air conditioning, electrical,
oxygen and fire detection/extinguishing systems; Garrett auxiliary power
unit (APU) for aircraft starting.
Avionics
Hughes AN/APG-65 multi mode digital air-to-air air-to-ground tracking radar
capable of tracking ten targets simultaneously and displaying eight of these
to the pilot. General Electric quadruple redundant flight control system;
two AYK-14 digital computers; Litton AN/ASN-130A inertial navigation system;
two Kaiser multi functions CRTs (cathode ray tubes); central Ferranti/Bendix
CRT display and HUD (head up display); digital data recorder for Bendix
maintenance recording system; dual UHF/VHF communications system; VOR/ILS
(instrument landing system); TACAN (tactical air navigation system); HF
radio; data link; integral ECM (electronic counter measures); automatic
moving map; ALR-67 radar warning receiver.
Dimensions
Wing span = 11.43m; span over missile = 12.31m; width wings folded = 8.38m;
length = 17.03m; height = 4.66m; tail plane span = 6.58m;
wheel track = 3.11m
wheelbase = 5.42m
Weights
Max take off weight = 25,400kg; typical take off weight fighter mission = 16,652kg, attack
mission = 22,328kg; empty = 10,455kg.
Armament
One 20mm M61 six barrel cannon in nose with 670 rounds; nine external
weapons stations with combined capacity of 7,711kg. two wing tip stations for
AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles; two outboard wing stations for AIM-9
Sidewinder or AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles or air-to-ground ordnance
(AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-65 Maverick, laser guided bombs, general purpose bombs,
cluster bombs etc); two inboard wing stations for external fuel tanks or
air-to-ground weapons; two nacelle fuselage stations for AIM-7 Sparrow
missiles or FLIR (forward looking infra-red) pods; one under fuselage
centerline station for external fuel tank or weapons; Chaff/flare dispenser.
Performance
Max speed more then 1,910km/h or Mach 1.8 at 37,000ft
initial climb rate (50% fuel, two wing tip AAM) 60,000ft/min;
combat ceiling approx 50,000ft; takeoff run less then 427m; approach speed
248km/h;
combat radius of action fighter mission more then 740km, attack
mission 1,065km; un refueled ferry range more then 3,700km.
( Mc Donnell Douglas & RAAF)
Paul's RAAF base Williamtown page www.cust.idl.net.au/0999000010/paul/raaf.htm