<P> The F / A-18 has a top speed of Mach 1.8 ( 1,034 knots , 1,190 mph or 1,915 km / h at 40,000 ft or 12,200 m ) . It can carry a wide variety of bombs and missiles , including air - to - air and air - to - ground , supplemented by the 20 - mm M61 Vulcan cannon . It is powered by two General Electric F404 turbofan engines , which give the aircraft a high thrust - to - weight ratio . The F / A-18 has excellent aerodynamic characteristics , primarily attributed to its leading - edge extensions . The fighter 's primary missions are fighter escort , fleet air defense , Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses ( SEAD ) , air interdiction , close air support , and aerial reconnaissance . Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset , though it has been criticized for its lack of range and payload compared to its earlier contemporaries , such as the Grumman F - 14 Tomcat in the fighter and strike fighter role , and the Grumman A-6 Intruder and LTV A-7 Corsair II in the attack role . </P>
<P> The F / A-18 has a top speed of Mach 1.8 ( 1,034 knots , 1,190 mph or 1,915 km / h at 40,000 ft or 12,200 m ) . It can carry a wide variety of bombs and missiles , including air - to - air and air - to - ground , supplemented by the 20 - mm M61 Vulcan cannon . It is powered by two General Electric F404 turbofan engines , which give the aircraft a high thrust - to - weight ratio . The F / A-18 has excellent aerodynamic characteristics , primarily attributed to its leading - edge extensions . The fighter 's primary missions are fighter escort , fleet air defense , Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses ( SEAD ) , air interdiction , close air support , and aerial reconnaissance . Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset , though it has been criticized for its lack of range and payload compared to its earlier contemporaries , such as the Grumman F - 14 Tomcat in the fighter and strike fighter role , and the Grumman A-6 Intruder and LTV A-7 Corsair II in the attack role . </P>
top speed of an f 18 super hornet
top speed of an f 18 super hornet
Mach 1.8 ( 1,034 knots , 1,190 mph or 1,915 km / h at 40,000 ft or 12,200 m )
Mach 1.8 ( 1,034 knots , 1,190 mph or 1,915 km / h at 40,000 ft or 12,200 m )