In 1778, "Hardi" was reactivated for the American Revolutionary War; she departed Toulon on 16 July, under Le Roy de La Grange, to rejoin the squadron under Louis de Fabry. On 20 June 1780, she departed Toulon to join with the squadron under Rear-Admiral de Beausset and take part in the Great Siege of Gibraltar. The next year, on 24 April 1781, she departed Brest with the squadron under La Motte-Picquet and took part in the action of 2 May 1782, in which the French captured 18 British merchantmen bound for St. Eustatius, worth around 5 million pounds.