McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet

27 Feb 2026 · © Unknown

This Hornet is preserved indoors at a museum, likely the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum annex), among an impressive collection of historic military aircraft.

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Aircraft

F/A-18 Hornet F18

U.S. Navy Blue Angels demonstration team

Airline

Blue Angels (U.S. Navy demonstration team)

Manufacturer

McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing)

Insights

Aviation History

Widely used U.S. Navy and Marine Corps multirole fighter; iconic as the Blue Angels display aircraft from 1986 to 2020.

Fleet Rarity

Was common in U.S. Navy/USMC service, but now being replaced by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-35. Uniqueness as an ex-Blue Angels display model.

Record Flights

Performed at hundreds of global airshows with the Blue Angels since mid-1980s.

Safety & Events

Aircraft type flown in numerous combat operations as well as in dozens of Blue Angels public performances.

Future Outlook

Retired from Blue Angels team as of 2020; some preserved in museums.

Specifications

General Electric F404 turbofans

Engine

13.62 meters

Wingspan

17.07 meters

Length

2,346 kilometers (ferry range, internal fuel)

Range

1,045 km/h

Speed

Single/tandem seat (fighter, attacker) — no passengers

Capacity

23,400 kilograms

MTOW

4.66 meters

Height

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

Thrust

120+ dB at takeoff (military jets not certified under civil ICAO noise standards)

Noise

Registration not visible; Blue Angels aircraft are militarized and not civil-registered.