Super Hornet: How it replaced the Legacy Hornet and F-14 Tomcat and why the Navy still needs them.

Play Conflict of Nations for FREE on PC, iOS or Android:
Receive a Unique Starter Pack, available only for the next 30 days!

Let’s take a look at how the super hornet replaced the legacy hornet along with the F-14 Tomcat, and why the Navy needs to keep flying its most versatile jet.

►Want to help support this channel?

►Join this channel to get access to perks:

Patrons and channel members get early access to ad free videos

Follow me on other social media:

►Books and flight sim gear I recommend:
Buying from my storefront gives me a small commission and helps support this channel

►Join our growing community on Discord:

Photography and video Credits/Attributions:

"The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."
Department of Defense
Boeing
Lockheed Martin
Northrop Grumman

[PilotPhotog]

Play Conflict of Nations for FREE on PC, iOS or Android:
Receive a Unique Starter Pack, available only for the next 30 days!

[lmj]

the fact something evolved from a snake, to a bug, to a rhino shows just how much its envronment has changed

[jojr]

Finally, a video that acknowledges that the super hornet also essentially replaced the legacy hornet, not just the tomcat. The f-35c replaced a few legacy hornets, but a fraction of what the rhinos have.

[falcon]

I'm a Marine and was an ordie on the harrier in the 90s. The F16 is my favorite aircraft. But the 18 is one heck of a plane as well. What great vision and knowledge to create 2 fighters to compete against each other for a contract that ended up making 2 of the longest serving and best fighters in the world!

[sirxavior]

It's ironic because the Super Hornet is an enlarged version of the legacy F-18 and the legacy F-18 is an enlarged and navalized version of the Northrop YF-17 that lost out to the F-16 in the lightweight fighter competition. Then the YF-17 is based on the cheap but effective F-5 Freedom Fighter, Perhaps the Super Hornet has reached the end of how much you can tweak the original design.

[underlookedsuspect]

Nice Video with only a few small inaccuracies, but love all the VFA-2 footage. You actually got a few shots of me in there, Didn't realize some of that footage I took made it on YouTube.

[thepilotman]

The Hornet isn't as good at Fleet defense, but is a much better plane. It's miles easier to maintain, has much better fuel efficiency, and is a formidable dogfighter with HOB. It has outstanding performance in strike missions. It's a very cool craft as well. Doesn't have the looks as a tomcat, but better in almost every way

[Sierra]

Oh my god. I never realized how much I needed a Variable sweep wing F-22 until now.🥵

[ivanstrydom]

I love the F/A 18 Supper Hornet, as well as the F 15, the Euro Fighter Typhoon as well as the F22. Such superb machines.

[JessSimpson]

It's wild to me that the F-18s they flew in the new TopGun movie are enhanced versions of the "Mig-28"s they fought against in the first TopGun movie. Mig-28 (F-5 painted black) -> YF-17 -> F-18 -> F-18E/F

[Primus]

Surprised no mention of the integration of the Super Hornet into the Blue Angels in 2020.

[Balafoutre]

Literally, hitting the jackpot!!! Adaptable, affordable, upgradable...the so called "loser" over the F16 vs legacy F18 competition. Just an amazing aircraft!!!

[GPNa]

Off topic but the super Hornet is as long as the fictional RX-78-2 Gundam robot is tall. Seeing the Hornet helped me visualize what a mech would look like in real life.

[hershman]

I saw the original YF-17 video at the International Air Tattoo in 1976. I am happy at how it has matured.

[danielcervantes]

I LOVE the hornet, something about being an absolute workhorse of an aircraft just appeals to me in ways that pure air superiority fighters, usually in the spotlight just doesn't.

[RARDingo]

Great presentation. Accurate & informative.

[scottmoore]

Lots of comments about the YF-17 losing out to the F-16. It was apples and oranges in the competition. The Air Force wanted a single engine defensive fighter and the F-16 was a better fit. The Super Hornet started on paper as the P-530 Cobra. It became the YF-17 for the Air Force competition. It was already designed but couldn't fit all the Air Force parameters. The Navy needed a new more agile fighter with the aging Tomcat and Mc Donnel Douglas got together with Northrop and the Legacy Hornet was developed. McDonnel Douglas had better ties with the Navy inside track and they became the primary contractor with Northrop becoming the prime subcontractor. Interesting turn of events at this point. Since WW2, Navy aircraft could not land after a mission with unused bomb loads still attached to the wing hardpoints. Unused ordinance was dropped in the ocean before landing back on the carrier. The Super Hornet was developed with extra hardpoints and the ability to land back on the carrier with some hardpoints still loaded. It has 11 weapons stations and was just beefier in every way. The Super Hornet redefined the term multirole/multitask aircraft. It is a fighter, ground attack aircraft, light bomber, refueler and electronic jammer. Sadly it's a Gen 4 fighter and technology has surpassed it's development. The F35 is a Gen 5 but it is not even close to the multirole aircraft the Super Hornet has become. The Navy is already planning on a Gen 6 fighter. The Super Hornet is in the twilight of it's lifetime. Production will cease in 2025 and is already at a very slow rate of building them. I love the Super Hornet and will be sad when I retire at the end of the line. I have been a part of the program since the first production unit in 1997. Jack Northrop designed a beautiful platform that has been a huge success throughout the decades.

[godthunder]

You should make a video on the MiG-29 someday soon.

[jackedpreacher]

Fell in love with the F-18 back in 2011 when I played the BF3 campaing mission. Very sexy jet 👍🏻

[mbogucki]

Appreciate the Metric conversions on the vid. Cheers.