The Insane Reason Why Is The U.S. Navy Buying F/A-18, Instead Of F-35C?

Why Is The U.S. Navy Buying F/A-18, Instead Of F-35C?
#f18superhornet #f18 #f18hornet
The U.S. Navy is buying new F/A-18 Super Hornets instead of the more stealthy F-35C for two main reasons: maintenance and buddy refueling. The F-35C requires 50 man-hours of maintenance for every flight hour, while the F/A-18E/F only requires 15. This means that the F/A-18E/F can fly more sorties than the F-35C, which is important for the Navy, as it needs to be able to maintain a high level of readiness. The other reason is that the F/A-18E/F is the Navy's primary buddy refueling aircraft. This means that it is responsible for refueling other aircraft in the air, which is a critical role in combat. The F-35C cannot carry external fuel tanks without sacrificing its stealth, so it cannot perform this role.
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[Man__MAN__maN]

I wonder if someone out there calls the F-18 an *A-18*

[michaelmulheran]

It being a "F" "A" means you can load her up to attack ground target's.

[tylerclayton]

US navy is purchasing Super Hornet Block 3’s and upgrading all block 2 Super Hornets to the Block standard. It’s a big upgrade that makes the Super Hornet about as capable as a Su-57 when flying with a stealth pod

The F-35C was never meant to replace all Super Hornets. Each air wing will only have 10 F-35C. The Sixth generation F/A-XX will replace the super hornets. It will start going into service in 2035

Air to air refueling is now handled by the MQ-25 drone. Not done by Super Hornets anymore

[timehaley]

It's almost like the Navy wants them to see them coming.

[AaaBbb-ffpn]

how many "ef slash ei eight teen ef" do you need?

[mikesmith-wkvy]

Boeing is complaining the navy is wearing out the airframes too fast with that refueling feature

[Mapp]

Actually, the Navy is purchasing more EA-18 Growlers not the F-18 Hornets. Both platforms look very similar.

[keithallver]

There was just something about Gen 4 fighter jets that's going to keep them flying for years to come.

[nickhalden]

Because Tom Cruise proved that was the bird to use in the mission

[MAF]

There are more reasons than that. Is very difficult for the NAVY to switch suppliers located in particular states. Also, F35’s requires a highly technical and disciplined support staff to meet the challenge.

[arminazizian]

My man for the first time watching and not completely focusing, all I heard was F Slash e a18 and a whole bunch of other sounds but thanks anyway for the content

[apflor]

Did you also know that the F/A 18 doesn't require any man hours to say the word slash👍

[AfricanLionBat]

Just don't put the slashes in if you're using an AI. You can keep it on the screen but it's goofy with the audio.

[esegall]

The other reason, unless we’re battling a serious power, there’s no need to use the F-35. The Super Hornet is still an awesome plane

[RandomMackem]

Lockheed should just make there own su-57 for the navy a super manoeuvrable jet thanks to 3D thrust vectoring no stealth coating cause clearly the navy doesn’t want to pay for that and don’t make it vtol then the navy would probably buy a Lockheed jet for the carriers

[ichigo]

Why so long on maintenance for just flying for a hour?

[davidoldham]

They are in fact buying both.... Each carrier will eventually carry a mix of the two.

[MiquelGorbiviUS]

I am wondering why F16 is never a choice on carriers or the F15

[davidbeattie]

If the Hornet is non stealthy ALL the time, why does it matter if an F-35C loaded up with external fuel tanks isn't stealthy either? This is a non issue.

[willstikken]

As long as you are not preparing to go against a peer with 5th gen aircraft the F-18 is fine. Against the J-20 and SU-57 even the F-18 is at a serious disadvantage.

The other way to read this is that the F-35 is expected to be the penetration element while the 18's are defense and deterrence.