McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet: boeken - historie (1/2)

The Boeing F/A-18E/F has its roots in the late-1980s Hornet 2000 study, which itself evaluated ways to enhance the range, payload, and bring-back capability of the existing F/A-18 Hornet. Through a series of trade-offs imposed by largely limited defense funds, what emerged was a versatile, affordable strike fighter aircraft that has served the Navy well since its fleet introduction in 2002.
The Growler has a similar history. Itself an offshoot of the Super Hornet program, the EA-18G brought many of the Super Hornet's attributes - speed, maneuverability, self-defense capability, and advanced systems - into the electronic attack community and is now posed to assume all such missions from the venerable EA-6B Prowler within the next few years.

This book draws on interviews with many of the key players in the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G program and on many press reports of the day to tell the story of how these aircraft were designed, developed, and deployed.

Supported by more than 270 photographs and technical illustrations, the Haynes McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet Manual lifts the panels on the most sophisticated fleet defender of all time to review its design, construction and operation, including revealing personal insights by US Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force personnel of flying and maintaining the mighty Hornet/Super Hornet.

The US-designed and built McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet carrier-borne, multi-role fighter is one of the most important Fourth Generation fighters in the world. Its twin-engine, twin-tails (canted outwards) and leading edge root extensions make it one of the most recognisable fighters in operation. The latest version is the enlarged Super Hornet.

Author Steve Davies lifts the panels on this 'king' of the US Navy's Fleet Defenders to review its design, construction and operation, including detailed personal insights by USN personnel of flying and maintaining the mighty Hornet/Super Hornet.

The F/A-18 evolved from Northrop's YF-17 in the late 1970s. Production aircraft reached the Navy in May 1980 and the Marine Corps two years later. More than 800 examples would eventually be built for US service, with a further 500 aircraft sold to seven export customers.
Earning its battle spurs in April 1986 flying strike missions against Libya, the Hornet would subsequently participate in Operation Desert Storm and the various 'policing' operations in Iraq and the Balkans that followed. The 'legacy' Hornet is still very much in frontline use with the US Navy and Marine Corps today.
Tony Holmes, author of "The F-14 Tomcat Story", has once again collected the most spectacular images to complement the history of this star of carrier-based naval aviation.