So currently the US Navy flies the F-18 legacy Hornets and the F-18E and F models. My question is does anyone know what the different roles are with these Bugs? What does the F do that the E doesn’t and are the Legacy hornets still part of the long-term plan?
Weren’t the F’s used to replace the F-14 in the strike role, which they had assumed from the A-6 community? I presume that rear seater is a operator for sensors and air to gound weapons needing in flight corrections by data link. And the E is replacing the A & C in the fleet?
I went and asked a person in the know. The Super Hornet does all the rolls. E and F both are for fighter missions and attack missions. The F model is preferred for Interception, and night strike. The E model has heavier payload and is favored for the buddy tanking roll. The E model can carry the the same weight of fuel in the tanker roll as the KA-6D. The F/A-18C is in service until the F-35C enters service.
Now joining the Super-Bug family is the EA-18G. The “Growler” replaces the EA-6B. The upgraded electronic package for the EA-6B has been fit into the F/A-18F. EA-18G will do ECM, and suppression of enemy air defense SEAD missions. With the upgrade from the AN/APG-73 to AN/APG-79 AESA, the Super Hornets can “see” out to about 2/3rds the range of the old AN/AWG-9 from the F-14A. However the APG-79 has far better resolution and has a powerful surface search mode.
That makes more sense. Thanks!