Boeing F/A-18 Hornet (specifically F/A-18 Super Hornet for modern Blue Angels displays) · PlaneSpot

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shaydis13 🇺🇸

30 Mar 2026 · © shaydis13

US Navy Blue Angels F/A-18E at NAF El Centro during winter training 2025.

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🛩️

RkyFlight · 30 Mar 2026

Love it! ❤️

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Aircraft

F/A-18 Hornet (specifically F/A-18 Super Hornet for modern Blue Angels displays) F18

U.S. Navy Blue Angels demonstration team livery (blue and gold)

Airline

U.S. Navy (Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron)

Manufacturer

Gear

Nikon D800 200-500mm

Achievements

Vintage Voyager, Runway Royalty, Livery Legend, Boeing Beginner, Military Maverick

5 badges earned

Location

El Centro NAF Airport (Vraciu Field)

NJK/KNJK

32.8292, -115.6720

Open map

El Centro NAF Airport (Vraciu Field) NJK

Insights

Aviation History

The F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet serve as iconic U.S. Navy carrier-based multi-role fighters. The Blue Angels have displayed both F/A-18A-D and F/A-18E-F Super Hornet models.

Fleet Rarity

The F/A-18 is not rare overall, but the Blue Angels’ specialized display jets are unique (6-8 airframes active in Blue Angels team).

Record Flights

Performed thousands of formation aerobatic displays for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels since the mid-1980s (F/A-18A/B/C/D, F/A-18E/F since 2021).

Safety & Events

Blue Angels known for extremely close formation aerobatics; several fatal and non-fatal incidents in history due to the complexity of maneuvers.

Future Outlook

Current type; expected to continue in Blue Angels service with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet platform.

Specifications

General Electric F404-GE-402 (or F414 for Super Hornet)

Engine

13.62 m (F/A-18A-D) / 13.62 m (Super Hornet with wings spread)

Wingspan

17.1 m (F/A-18A-D) / 18.31 m (Super Hornet)

Length

2,346 km (F/A-18A-D) / 2,346 km (Super Hornet, clean configuration)

Range

900 km/h (subsonic cruise); max speed Mach 1.8 (1,915 km/h)

Speed

Single or two crew (pilot/trainer configuration); no passengers

Capacity

23,000 kg (F/A-18A-D) / 29,937 kg (Super Hornet)

MTOW

4.66 m (F/A-18A-D and Super Hornet)

Height

F404: 79.6 kN per engine with afterburner (F414: 97.9 kN per engine with afterburner)

Thrust

Military, not rated under ICAO civil scale; 130 dB (jet military operations typical)

Noise