F/A-18 Super Hornet Poster - Carrier-Based Multirole Fighter

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is the primary strike fighter of the United States Navy and has been since it replaced the F-14 Tomcat in the early 2000s. Despite sharing a name and general configuration with the earlier F/A-18 Hornet, the Super Hornet is an entirely new aircraft, 25% larger, with greater range, payload, and survivability, rather than an incremental upgrade. The two-seat F/A-18F variant and the EA-18G Growler electronic attack derivative operate alongside the single-seat F/A-18E from carrier decks worldwide. Together they form the core of carrier air wing combat power, handling air superiority, strike, electronic attack, and tanker missions from the same flight deck. The EA-18G Growler variant deserves particular recognition as the Navy's primary airborne electronic attack platform, replacing the EA-6B Prowler. Equipped with the AN/ALQ-99 tactical jamming system and AIM-120 missiles for self-defense, the Growler provides escort jamming and stand-off electronic suppre