F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: A Killer in the Sky (So Why Aren’t They Selling?)

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet has fully replaced the F/A-18A/C in U.S. Navy service, but it has not been as successful as an export. What’s holding it back?

In April 2018 , the U.S. Navy officially retired the F/A-18C “Hornet” from combat service, marking the end of an era for the basic F/A-18A/B/C/D, which entered service in 1983. The aircraft will continue to serve in the U.S. military in the Blue Angels aerial demonstration team, the U.S. Marine Corps, and reserve squadrons in the Navy. The larger F/A-18E/F “Super Hornet” will serve as the primary carrier fighter for the U.S. Navy until the introduction of the F-35C.