The F/A-18 Super Hornet was meant to be just an upgrade, but it became the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s air power after replacing both the F-14 Tomcat and the Legacy Hornet. But with 5th-gen ...

The F/A-18E and 18F models — E is single-seat, F is two-seat — entered fleet service in 2001, replacing the F-14 Tomcat, which retired in 2006, according to AeroTime.

The F-18 Hornet received several upgrades during its lifetime with the U.S. Navy, became a reliable part of its strike force, and played a crucial role during the 1991 Gulf War.

While the Tomcat was a speed demon, going as fast as Mach 2.3, the F/A-18 Hornet performed better in a dogfight at slower speeds. This suited the Hornet just fine as it could only reach Mach 1.8 ...

F-14 Tomcat vs. F/A-18 Super Hornet: A Top Gun Showdown. When the general public considers either the F-14 Tomcat or the F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Top Gun film series is likely top of mind.

To say the Super Hornet formed the backbone of the U.S. Navy's aerial fleet defense is nothing short of an understatement. Especially after the F-14 Tomcat's retirement in 2006, the Super Hornet ...

While the F-14 performed well in its new mission, the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was generally superior to the ageing Tomcat. In particular, the F / A-18E / F were more reliable and efficient, and ...

F-18 began as an underdog to F-14 Tomcat in US naval aviation, but its greater versatility and lower operating costs ultimately prevailed. The US Navy financed the development of a newer version, ...

An F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet fell into the waters of the Mediterranean from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman on Friday, the Navy announced in a statement released Sunday.

But the F/A-18 gets the bulk of the screen time. Interestingly enough, the F-14 Tomcat, the star of the original “Top Gun,” found itself in a similar position when the movie debuted in 1986.

Excitement was running just as high at the air museum, for which the F-18 is a major coup and a “shot in the arm,” said Fajardin. “We’ve got the F-14, 15 and 16. But we didn’t have the F-18.