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Feature Maximum Length (In.) Maximum Diameter (In.) Inlet Flow Path Diameter (In.) Nozzle Area Ratio Maximum Weight (Lbs) Air Flow at IRP and Above (Lb/Sec) Bypass Ratio Maximum Thrust (Class) T4 J(class) (F) Engine Compression Ratio Fan Pressure Ratio Compressor Pressure Ratio Thrust to Weight Ratio (Class) F404-GE-400 159 34.5 27.7 1.6 2161 140 0.34 16,000 2500 25:1 3.9 6.3 7:1 F404-GE-402 159 34.5 27.7 1.6 2237 140 0.27 18,000 3200 27:1 4.3 6.23 8:1
The F404-GE-400 and the F404-GE-402 (hereafter referred to as the F404) and dual rotor, augmented, low-bypass turbofan engines. They are modular engines which incorporate a 3-stage fan and a 7-stage high pressure compressor each driven by a single stage turbine. They have variable geometry inlet guide vanes on the fan and compressor, and continuous bypass from the fan to the augmentation section. The combustor is a through-flow annular type, and the augmentor is fully modulating from minimum to maximum augmentation. The engine is continuously monitored for critical malfunctions and parts life usage by an Inflight Engine Condition Monitoring System (IECMS).
Specifications (F404-GE-402)[edit]
General characteristics
Type: Afterburning turbofan Length: 154 in (3,912 mm) Diameter: 35 in (889 mm) Dry weight: 2,282 lb (1,036 kg)
Components
Compressor: Axial compressor with 3 fan and 7 compressor stages Combustors: annular Turbine: 1 low-pressure and 1 high-pressure stage
Performance
Maximum thrust: 11,000 lbf (48.9 kN) military thrust 17,700 lbf (78.7 kN) with afterburner Overall pressure ratio: 26:1 Bypass ratio: 0.34:1
Specific fuel consumption: Military thrust: 0.81 lb/(lbfh) (82.6 kg/(kNh)) Full afterburner: 1.74 lb/(lbfh) (177.5 kg/(kNh)) Thrust-to-weight ratio: 7.8:1 (76.0 N/kg)
Design Features
Sharp-edged, cambered leading-edgeextensions (LEX), slots at fuselage junction and outward-canted twin fins designed to produce high agility and performance at angles of attack over 50; wings have 20 sweepback at quarter-chord; wings fold up 90 at inboard end of ailerons, even on land-based F/A-18s; landing gear designed for unflared od runways as well as on carriers.
Structure
Multi-spar wing mainly of light alloy, with graphite/epoxy inter-spar skin panels and trailing-edge flaps; tail surfaces mainly graphite/epoxy skins over aluminium honeycomb core; graphite/epoxy fuselage panels and doors; titanium engine firewall. Northrop Grumman produces rear and centre fuselages; assembly and test at McDonnell Douglas St Louis factory; CASA produces horizontal tail surfaces, flaps, leading-edge extensions, speedbrakes, rudders and rear side panels for all F/A-18s.
Accommodation
Pilot only, on Martin-Baker SJU-5/6 ejection seat, in pressurised, heated and air-conditioned cockpit. Upward opening canopy, with separate windscreen, on all versions.
Avionics
Include an automatics carrier landing system (ACLS) for all-weather carrier operations; a Hughes Aircraft AN/APG-65 multimode digital air-to-air and air-to-ground tracking radar, with air-to-air modes which include velocity search (VS), range while search (RWS), track while scan (TWS), which can track 10 targets and display eight to the pilot, and raid assessment mode (RAM). Hughes AN/APG-73 radar in C/Ds for USN, USMC, Finland, Malaysia and Switzeland from May 1994. Smiths Industries multi-purpose colour map display; two Kaiser monochrome MFDs (colour on Night Attack Hornets). Collins AN/ARN118 Tacan, AN/ARC-182 UHF/VHF com and DF-301E UHF/DF; Magnavox AN/ALR-50 and Litton AN/ALR-67 RWRs; GECMarconi Type 117 laser designator; Harris AN/ASW-25 radio data link; Eaton AN/ARA-63 receiver/decoder; GEC-Marconi FID 2035 horizontal situation display; Bendix/King HSI; J.E.T. ID-1791/A flight director indicator; General Electric quadrupleredundant fly-by-wire flight control system, with direct electrical backup to all surfaces and direct mechanical backup to tailerons; two Control Data AN/AYK-14 digital computers; Litton AN/ASN-130A inertial navigation system (plus GPS from FY 1993), but being replaced by Litton AN/ASN-139 ring laser system (including retrofits); two Kaiser multi-function CRTs, central GEC-Marconi-Bendix/King CRT and Kaiser AN/AVQ-28 HUD; Conrac communications system control; Normalair-Garrett digital data recorder for Bendix/King maintenance recording system; flight incident recording and monitoring system (FIRAMS). As the modern attack plane on today`s carriers, the Hornet fills a vital position in the United States carrier-borne air strategy. The F-14 was designed solely for air-to-air combat; the F/A-18 was designed for air-to-surface missions as well. The Hornet was designed around the same time as the F-16 and was in fact developed from the Northrop YF-17, failed F16 competetitor. As result, it shares some of the characteristics of the Falcon: it is light, cheap and quite agile. These qualities, coupled with its immense ordnance load, make it the strike fighter of choice for both the Navy and the Marines. All production Hornets since 1989 have all-weather and night attack capability. Laser designator pods and the Hughes AN/APG-65 radar package give excellent accuracy in the air threat; however, as it serves alongside the dedicated air-to-air Tomcat, the Hornet is almost always used in the attack role. The F/A-18 has a digital control-by-wire flight control system which provides excellent handling qualities, and allows pilots to learn to fly the airplane with relative ease. At the same time, this system provides xceptional maneuverability and allows the pilot to concentrate on operating the weapons system. A solid thrust-to-weight ratio and superior turn characteristics combined with energy sustainability, enable the F/A-18 to hold its own against any adversary. The power to maintain evasive action is what many pilots consider the Hornet's finest trait. In addition, the F/A-18 was also the Navy's first tactical jet aircraft to
incorporate a digital, MUX bus architecture for the entire system's avionics suite. The benefit of this design feature is that the F/A-18 has been relatively easy to upgrade on a regular, affordable basis. Following a successful run of more than 400 A and B models, the U.S. Navy began taking fleet deliveries of improved F/A-18C and F/A-18D models in September 1987. These Hornets carry the AMRAAM and the infrared imaging Maverick air-to-ground missile. Two years later, the C/D models came with improved night attack capabilities. The new components included a navigation forward looking infrared (NAVFLIR) pod, a raster head-up display, night vision goggles, special cockpit lighting compatible with the night vision devices, a digital color moving map and an independent multipurpose color display. The Hornet has been battle tested and has proved itself to be exactly what its designers intended: a highly reliable and versatile strike fighter. The F/A-18 played an important role in the 1986 strikes against Libya. Flying from USS CORAL SEA (CV 43), F/A-18s launched HARMs against Libyan air defense radars and missile sites, effectively silencing them during the attacks on Benghazi facilities. On the first day of operation Desert Storm, two F/A-18s, each carrying four 2,000 lbs. bombs, shot down two Iraqi MiGs and then proceeded to deliver their bombs on target. Throughout the Gulf War, squadrons of U.S. Navy, Marine and Canadian F/A-18s operated around the clock, setting records daily in reliability, survivability and ton-miles of ordnance delivered. The F/A-18 has proven to be an ideal component of the carrier based tactical aviation equation over its 15 years of operational experience. The only F/A-18 characteristic found to be marginally adequate by battle group commanders, outside experts, and even the men who fly the Hornet, is its range when flown on certain strike mission profiles. However, the inadequacy is managed well with organic and joint tanking assets. The F/A-18's advanced radar and avionics systems allow Hornet pilots to convert their aircraft from fighter to strike mode and back with the flip of a single switch. In Operation Desert Storm, F/A-18s performed fighter and stike missions on the same sortie, fighting their way to a target by defeating opposing aircraft, then destroying their ground targets and returning safely home. The F/A-18 also employs a number of other systems and technologies that increase its likelihood of reaching a target undetected, of escaping unhurt if detected, and of returning its crew safely if it is hit. The aircraft's reliability, survivability and maintainability were also proven during Operation Desert Storm as the aircraft broke all records for tactical aircraft. In one scenario, F/A-18s were hit by surface-to-air missiles; returned safely; were repaired and flying again the next day. The F/A-18 serves in the air forces of the United States and Canada, Australia, Finland,Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Switzerland; Kuwait was scheduled to receive Hornets beginning in 1994 before the Gulf War broke out.
Engine:
Wingspan: Lenght: Height: Weight: Maximum speed: Celling: Combat radius: Maximum range: Crew: Armament:
advantage of technological advances for many years to come. Roll-out of the first Super Hornet occurred in September 1995, and it flew for the first time in November 1995, ahead of schedule and nearly 1,000 pounds under specified weight. In January 1997, the Super Hornet successfully conducted its initial sea trials on board the Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74). Currently, seven F/A-18E/F engineering and manufacturing development aircraft are engaged in a well-defined flight test program. The Navy is planning to procure a minimum of 548 Super Hornets. Production of the aircraft commenced in FY 1997, and it is expected to attain initial operational capability (IOC) in FY 2001. Twelve aircraft were funded in FY 1997; procurement numbers increase to 20 in FY 1998, 30 in FY 1999, and reach a final maximum rate of 48 per year in FY 2001. These numbers could vary depending on the progress of the Joint Strike Fighter Program. The U.S. Navy believes the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is "the right airplane at the right time." Potential enemies will learn it is hard to find, hard to hit and hard to kill. The F/A-18E/F is on cost, on schedule, and remains under specified weight.