Super Hornet Archives

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F and F-35, both assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9, fly over the Point Mugu Sea Range in Southern California with a U.S. Air Force F-15 during Gray Flag 2024 on Sept. 24, 2024. Gray Flag is an annual large-force test event that brings the joint force together to test and evaluate multi-domain systems in a maritime environment, ensuring our nation’s warfighters are equipped with effective, interoperable systems that will help them deter aggression, protect our nation’s prosperity and security, and return home safely to their families. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kory Hughs)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The YF-17 Cobra Lost to the F-16 Fighter (But Became the F/A-18 Hornet)

Key Points and Summary – Northrop’s YF-17 “Cobra” lost the U.S. Air Force’s 1970s Lightweight Fighter competition to the YF-16, but it went on...

Jack BuckbyNovember 27, 2025

An F-14B Tomcat assigned to the"Swordsmen" of Fighter Squadron Three Two (VF-32) launches off of one of four steam powerd catapults on the flight deck. The Harry S. Truman carrier strike group is on a six-month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism and is currently conducting carrier qualifications of the east coast of the Untied States. US Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Ryan O'Connor. (Released by HST Public Affairs)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Why the U.S. Navy Finally Said No to the F-14 Tomcat

Key Points and Summary – The Navy retired the F-14 Tomcat for five intertwined reasons: crippling upkeep (tens of maintenance hours per flight hour...

Steve BalestrieriNovember 1, 2025

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9, takes off from Naval Air Station Point Mugu during Gray Flag, Sept. 12, 2025. Gray Flag 2025 is the naval aviation test community’s premier large force test event, providing unique venues for large-scale integration of new capabilities across services and platforms. Working with the Joint Force, industry, and our nation’s allies to ensure seamless integration and interoperability is key to ensuring warfighters have a decisive advantage in the field. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet Is Flexing Its Fighter Muscles

Key Points and Summary – The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet—born in the 1990s to replace aging F-14s and legacy Hornets—heads for its final production run...

Caleb LarsonOctober 31, 2025

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F/A-18 E/F ‘Super Hornet’ Fighter Has a Message for the Navy

Key Points and Summary: The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was born from urgency: replace aging Navy jets, fly from tight decks, and do everything reasonably...

Harry J. KazianisOctober 26, 2025

An F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9, the “Vampires,” takes off from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, September 11, 2025. Gray Flag 2025 is the naval aviation test community’s premier large force test event, providing unique venues for large scale integration of new capabilities across services and platform. Working with the Joint Force, industry, and our nation’s allies to ensure seamless integration and interoperability is key to ensuring warfighters have a decisive advantage in the field. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John T. Jarrett)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet Fighter Is Almost Obsolete

Key Points and Summary – Boeing will end F/A-18E/F Super Hornet production in 2027, citing no new export wins, Navy priorities for the sixth-gen...

Steve BalestrieriSeptember 20, 2025

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

KF-21 Boramae ‘Stealthy’ Fighter vs. F/A-18 Super Hornet: Who Wins Summed Up in 4 Words

Key Points and Summary – South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae and the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet share F414 engines and AESA radars, but differ...

Isaac SeitzSeptember 17, 2025

An F/A-18 Super Hornet from Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, performs an aerial demonstration over Rickenbacker International Airport, Ohio, June 16, 2024, as part of the Columbus Air Show. This year’s event featured more than 20 military and civilian planes, including a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, which served as the base of operations for military aircraft participating in the show. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ivy Thomas)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

F/A-XX Fighter: The Obvious ‘Plan B’ Move if the U.S. Navy Cancels

Key Points and Summary – Washington’s sixth-gen F/A-XX is meant to give carrier wings the range, stealth, and CCA “loyal wingman” control they’ll need...

Brent M. EastwoodSeptember 13, 2025