McDonnell Douglas / Boeing F/A-18 Hornet

27 Feb 2026 · © Unknown

This aircraft is a museum display, likely at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. The Blue Angels use a very distinctive adaptation of the F/A-18 for their aerobatic displays.

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Aircraft

F/A-18 Hornet F18

U.S. Navy Blue Angels demonstration team livery

Airline

U.S. Navy Blue Angels (demonstration team)

Manufacturer

McDonnell Douglas / Boeing

Insights

Aviation History

The F/A-18 Hornet is a renowned carrier-capable multi-role fighter, and the Blue Angels have used the F/A-18 as their demonstration aircraft since 1986, making it an icon of U.S. naval aviation.

Fleet Rarity

Hundreds of F/A-18s have been produced for the U.S. Navy and allied forces, but Blue Angels-liveried airframes are few (handful at a time).

Record Flights

The Blue Angels often perform extensive U.S. tours and aerobatic displays, but the type itself is not used for record-breaking flights.

Safety & Events

Various Hornets have been lost during airshow performances over history, but the aircraft pictured is notable as one of the rare display jets from the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels.

Future Outlook

Retired Blue Angels F/A-18s are often preserved in museums; the team is transitioning to the F/A-18 Super Hornet (E/F models).

Specifications

2 × General Electric F404-GE-402 turbofans

Engine

13.62 m

Wingspan

17.1 m

Length

2,346 km (clean, ferry range with drop tanks ~3,330 km)

Range

1,062 km/h (Mach 0.85)

Speed

1 (pilot); trainer version 2 (pilot and co-pilot/instructor)

Capacity

23,400 kg

MTOW

4.66 m

Height

7,258 kgf (71.2 kN / 16,000 lbf) each engine with afterburner

Thrust

Typical maximum takeoff: 130+ dB at source (not rated by ICAO civil standards)

Noise

Identification is based on visible Blue Angels livery, airframe shape, and context; specific registration not visible.