The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet naval strike fighter aircraft, manufactured by Boeing, flew for the first time on November 29 1995. The Super Hornet is 25th larger than its predecessor, the F/A-18C/D, however contains 42nd fewer structural components. The single-seat F/A-18/E and also the two-seat F/A-18/F fly larger ranges with heavier payloads, have a lot of powerful engines and provide greater survivability.The Super Hornet can carry approximately 17,750 pounds (8,032 kg) of external load on eleven stations. it's an all-weather air-to-air radar and a control system for correct delivery of standard or guided weapons. There are two wing tip stations, four inboard wing stations for fuel tanks or air-to-ground weapons, two nacelle fuselage stations for Sparrows or sensor pods, and one centerline station for fuel or air-to-ground weapons. an internal 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon is mounted within the nose.
The Hughes Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infra-Red (ATFLIR), the baseline infrared system for the F/A-18 E/F, also will be deployed on earlier model F/A-18s. The Hughes pod{features each navigation and infrared targeting systems, incorporating third generation mid-wave infrared (MWIR) staring focal plane technology.
