FA-18E and F by Saul H. Jacob  
  
The F/A-18E/F is an update of the F/A-18C aircraft. The purpose is to 
put the aircraft in the same class of the reteiring A6 aircraft. The F/A-
18E/F is a bigger aircraft that the C model with a longer range. The E 
and F model will be able to launch from a carrier with the same if not 
larger loads than the A6 and fly as far as that old mainstay could.  
  
The aircraft engines are two F414-GE-400 turbofan engines capable of  
22,000lbs of thrust compared with 17,700 lbs on the C models. The 
length has been extended from 56 ft. to 60.3 ft. the wingspan from 40ft 
5 in to 44ft 9in and the height from 15ft 4in to 16ft. The wings have 
been strengthed to carry additional loads and the maximum take off 
gross weight has gone from 51,900lbs to 66,000lbs.  
  
Here is a quote on the aircrafts capability that I got from Captain 
Willliam BuBois USN, project mangaer for the F/A18-E/F project.  
  
The E can carry the 480 gal tanks on centerline and inboard wing 
stations. Plans to add capability to midboard wing stations in future. 
Can carry 5 weapons in the 2000lb catagory. Realistic load for CV ops 
would be 3 tanks, 2 AGM84. Two outboard wing stations are rated 
1100 lb. theyre good for AIM-7/AIM-120, AGM-88 or MK83. One 
load I have data:  
2 harpoon/2 harm/1 amraam/2 sidewinders/2 480 gal tanks/ flir. 552 
nm. range in H-H-H profile includes 2k for combat and 3k for recovery 
fuel.
