The F/A-18 Hornet, an all-weather aircraft, is used as an attack aircraft as well as a fighter. It was designed to replace both the A-7 Corsair in the light ground attack role, and the F-4 Phantom which operated in both the air defense and ground attack roles.  It compliments the F-14 Tomcat and can be operated from forward airstrips for the U.S. Marine Corps.  In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet air defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close and deep air support.
      Recognizing the need for a smaller, less expensive fighter to counter the threat of high-performance opposition aircraft, Northrop developed the YF-17 with multiple mission capabilities.  In Flight tests the aircraft achieved speeds of Mach 2, withstood over 9 g-loads in tight turns and demonstrated an exceptional rate-of-climb.  McDonnell-Douglas was contracted by Northrop to aid in the transition of the YF-17 to the F/A-18 "Hornet" for carrier operations.  Fleet deliveries of the "Hornet" began in 1983. Overall plans for procurement were established at 1,168 aircraft (including two-seat versions) for the Navy, Marines and several Naval Air Reserve squadrons. Operational status for the first Navy and Marine squadrons was achieved in 1983.  The F/A-18 can carry an ordnance load of approximately 17,000 lbs including a mix of weapons for air-to-air combat (Vulcan cannon and guided missiles) as well as air-to-ground ordnance (Harm/Maverick missiles and a wide array of conventional weapons). The multi-role capability was recently demonstrated in the Gulf War when two "Hornets" encountered and shot down two Iraqi fighters while en route to a target on a strike mission which was successfully accomplished following the melee.
     The F/A-18 currently equips the majority of Navy and Marine fighter-attack squadrons and will ultimately replace the F-14 Tomcat as it has the F-4 Phantom, the A-4 Skyhawk and the A-7 Corsair II. The Blue Angels flight demonstration team has used the F/A-18 since 1987.  The final Hornet to be built was rolled out of Boeing's facility at Patuxent River, Maryland, in August 2000.  Over 1,400 Hornets were built and over 1,200 are now flying in fifty-five active duty, reserve and test squadrons, as well as in seven foreign countries.