The Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A Hornet is a multi-role fighter. It is capable of air interception, air combat, close air support of ground troops, and interdiction of enemy supply lines including shipping.
History
The F/A-18A Hornet is a twin-engine, single-seat, multi-role fighter first purchased by the Royal Australian Air Force in 1981, and operated by the RAAF since 1984. The genesis of the Hornet in the RAAF dates back to the 1970's, as the RAAF searched for a replacement for their Dassault Mirage III fighters. The Australian Government assessed several aircraft from the United States and Europe, before settling on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 in 1981. The Australian government purchased the single-seat F/A-18A Hornet, as well as the two-seat F/A-18B.
Overview
The RAAF F/A-18A Hornet is a multi-role combat aircraft available to ANZAC and BLUFOR decks. It carries four Mk. 83 500kg bombs, four AIM-9L Sidewinder AAMs, and an internal 20mm Vulcan cannon. The four Mk. 83's provide the F/A-18A with good strike capabilities. Although not as strong as the Mk. 84 1000kg bomb, the Mk. 83 still has high HE power and is dangerous to lightly or moderately armored vehicles and infantry. The four AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles and 20mm Vulcan cannon also make the F/A-18A dangerous to helicopters, and allow the aircraft to defend itself against enemy fighters if they get close. The F/A-18A's main drawbacks are its lack of a long range air to air missile, and vulnerability to being swarmed by less expensive enemy fighters. A fighter escort to deal with threat aircraft at longer range should be considered when fielding the F/A-18A.
Weapons
Red Dragon
| Weapons | 
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Vulcan Cannon | Bomb | AAM |
| Name | M61A1 Vulcan | Mk. 83 | AIM-9L Sidewinder |
| Caliber | 20mm | 500kg AoE | Infrared AoE, F&F |
| Ammo | x 564 | x 4 | x 4 |
| Range | Ground = 2100 m Helicopters = 1575 m  Airplanes = 2800 m
|
Ground = 3500 m Helicopters = N/A m Airplanes = N/A m
|
Ground = N/A m Helicopters = 2100 m Airplanes = 3850 m
|
| Accuracy | 40% | 20% | 50% |
| Stabilizer | 40% | N/A | 50% |
| AP Power | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| HE Power | 1 | 15 | 4 |
| Suppression | 92 | 600 | 160 |
| Rate of fire | 4028 r/min | 42 r/min | 30 r/min |
See Also
Template:Red Dragon ANZAC arsenal