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F-15 Eagle vs. F/A-18 Super Hornet

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F-15

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F/A-18 Super Hornet

Role
Air-superiority fighterMulitrole fighter
Generation
4th generation4.5 generation
National Origin
United StatesUnited States
Manufacturer
McDonnell DouglasBoeing
Price (USD)
$87 Million$70 Million
Primary Users
US Air ForceUS Navy
First Flight
19721995
Last Production Year
In ProductionIn Production
# Units Built
>1600>600
Status
In ServiceIn Service
Seats
11 (F-18E) / 2 (F-18F)
Length
19 m63 ft
18 m60 ft
Wingspan
13 m42 ft
13 m44 ft
Wing Area
56 m²608 ft²
46 m²500 ft²
Height
5 m18 ft
4 m16 ft
Empty Weight
12,701 kg28,000 lbs
14,560 kg32,100 lbs
Gross Weight
20,185 kg44,500 lbs
21,319 kg47,000 lbs
MTOW
30,844 kg68,000 lbs
29,937 kg66,000 lbs
Fuel Capacity
6,103 kg13,455 lbs
6,668 kg14,700 lbs
Number of Engines
22
Engine Type
TurbofanTurbofan
Engine Manufacturer
Pratt & WhitneyGeneral Electric
Engine Model
F100-PW-220 F414-GE-400
Dry Thrust
65 kN14,590 lbs
58 kN13,000 lbs
Thrust w/ Afterburner
106 kN23,770 lbf
98 kN22,000 lbf
Max Thrust
211 kN47,540 lbf
196 kN44,000 lbf
Max Speed (Mach)
Mach 2.50Mach 1.60
Top Speed
2,655 km/h1,650 mph
1,915 km/h1,190 mph
Range
5,556 km3,000 nm
2,361 km1,275 nm
Rate of Climb
340 m/s67,000 ft/min
254 m/s50,000 ft/min
Ceiling
19,812 m65,000 ft
15,240 m50,000 ft
G Limit
7 g7 g

What Are the Differences Between the F-15 Eagle and F/A-18 Super Hornet

F-15 Eagle vs F/A-18 Super Hornet Size Comparison

  • At 19.40 meters, the F-15 Eagle is 1.10 meters longer than the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
  • With a wingspan of 13.60 meters, the F/A-18 Super Hornet is 0.50 meters wider from wingtip to wingtip.
  • The wing area of the F-15 Eagle is 0.70 meters bigger than that of the F/A-18 Super Hornet’s 4.90 meters.

F-15 Eagle vs F/A-18 Super Hornet Price

  • The F-15 Eagle is more expensive than the F/A-18 Super Hornet, with a unit cost of approximately 87 million compared to the F/A-18 Super Hornet’s unit cost of approximately 70 million.

F-15 Eagle vs F/A-18 Super Hornet Speed

  • The F-15 Eagle has a top speed of 1,650 miles per hour, and the F/A-18 Super Hornet has a top speed of 1,190 miles per hour. Head to head, this makes the F-15 Eagle 460 miles per hour faster than the F/A-18 Super Hornet.

About the F-15 Eagle

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, now part of Boeing, is an iconic twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter aircraft. Originating from the United States, it was primarily designed for air superiority missions.

Production History: Developed in the early 1970s, the F-15 entered service with the United States Air Force in 1976. It was a response to the need for a dedicated air superiority fighter, with capabilities far exceeding previous aircraft in terms of performance and agility. Over the years, it has been produced in various models, including the F-15A/B, C/D, and the ground-attack variant, the F-15E Strike Eagle.

Design Features: The F-15 features a twin-engine Pratt & Whitney setup that ensures survivability and a high power-to-weight ratio, facilitating supersonic speeds without afterburners. It has a notable frameless bubble canopy for enhanced pilot visibility, a side-mounted control stick for ease of maneuvering, and advanced avionics for multi-role missions.

Operational History: The F-15 has been deployed in various conflicts, showcasing its air dominance in operations such as Desert Storm. Its design has allowed for versatility in roles, ranging from air-to-air combat to ground attack missions. The F-15E Strike Eagle variant, in particular, has been effective in strike roles due to its advanced sensors and weaponry.

Comparison with Similar Models:

F-15 Eagle vs. F-16 Fighting Falcon

Role: The F-15 is optimized for air superiority with its powerful radar and payload capacity, making it ideal for dominating the skies. The F-16, known for its agility and multirole capabilities, excels in both air-to-air combat and air-to-ground missions, offering versatility.

Performance: The F-15 boasts higher speed and payload, enabling it to carry a wide range of weapons. The F-16, while slightly less capable in terms of payload, offers superior maneuverability and efficiency, making it effective in a variety of combat scenarios.

F-15 Eagle vs. F-22 Raptor

Technology: The F-22 is a fifth-generation fighter with stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and supercruise, significantly outpacing the F-15's fourth-generation technology.

Role: The F-15 was designed as an unbeatable air superiority fighter, while the F-22 expands on this role with stealth and ground attack capabilities, redefining air superiority for the modern era.

About the F/A-18 Super Hornet

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a direct evolution of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, is an American twin-engine, supersonic, carrier-capable multirole fighter jet. It's used primarily by the United States Navy as well as the Royal Australian Air Force and Kuwait Air Force.

Production History: The Super Hornet was initially developed by McDonnell Douglas, with its first flight in 1995. Following the merger of McDonnell Douglas with Boeing, full-rate production commenced in September 1997. The Super Hornet entered service with the United States Navy in 1999, effectively replacing the Grumman F-14 Tomcat by 2006. As of April 2020, over 632 units had been produced, with Boeing announcing plans to conclude production in 2025.

Design Features: The Super Hornet design stemmed from a requirement for a more capable version of the F/A-18 Hornet. It carries an internal 20mm M61A2 rotary cannon and is capable of deploying various weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. It can be equipped with up to five external fuel tanks for extended range missions and can be configured as an airborne tanker.

Operational History:

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet has been integral in various military operations, showcasing its effectiveness in air-to-air combat, precision-guided night strikes, and close air support, among other roles. Its first air-kill occurred on June 18, 2017, against a Syrian Sukhoi Su-22. The Super Hornet's multirole capability has made it a valuable asset in diverse military operations.

Comparison with Similar Models:

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet vs. F-14 Tomcat:

Role and Capabilities: The F-14 primarily served as an air superiority fighter with secondary ground attack capabilities. In contrast, the Super Hornet is a true multirole aircraft, adept in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Performance and Armament: The F-14 boasted a longer range and heavier weapons load capacity. However, the Super Hornet's smaller size and versatile armament options make it more adaptable in various combat scenarios.

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet vs. F/A-18 Hornet:

Design Evolution: The Super Hornet is an enlarged and enhanced version of the original Hornet, offering increased range, payload capacity, and advanced capabilities.

Role Expansion: While maintaining the multirole capabilities of the Hornet, the Super Hornet introduces improvements like increased fuel capacity, enhanced avionics, and a greater payload, broadening its effectiveness in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles.

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Values shown may not be 100% accurate, as some metrics are averages or only represent certain production years and configurations. Engine specs are based on the best options available.

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