F/A-18C Hornet

* AFD
* AFD Storm
* AFD Strike

Purchase from Chairon Airbase after completing Battle for the Zabios Ruins (*AFD Storm*)
Advancing to Phase 6 (*AFD Strike*)

"*This fighter/attack aircraft was designed as a support craft for the carrier-based F-14. This versatile carrier-based aircraft serves as the core aerial combat strength of the US Marines and Navy. The advanced E/F model evolves the plane's capabilities to even further heights.*"
―*Airforce Delta Storm* manual description, page 26.

"*Although none of the features on this high performance, multi-mission aircraft stand out, it's a good all-around choice.*"
―Harry's description of this plane in the shop.
The **F/A-18C Hornet** is a recurring aircraft in the *Airforce Delta* series, it appears in all three *Airforce Delta* games, seeing use by Ruth Valentine in *Airforce Delta Strike*.

## Origin (Real-Life)

The F/A-18C Hornet is a carrier-capable, multirole aircraft developed by McDonnell Douglas. This craft was originally a prototype-modification of the F-5E Tiger II known as the **YF-17 Cobra**; it competed in the Air Force's Lightweight Fighter competition against the YF-16 and lost. The latter would become the well-renowned F-16 Fighting Falcon. However, that wasn't the end; the aircraft was beefed up for carrier usage, and turned out to be exactly what the Navy and Marines were looking for. It is one of the longest-running American aircraft, but the base Hornet was finally retired in February 1st of 2019.

## Design

The F/A-18C is a very recognizable design; it shares some design elements with the F-5E (Such as the twin-engines and similar front-section), but it has some noticeable differences, mainly the larger wingspan, the two rear wings, and twin, slightly-angled vertical stabilizers on the rear.

## Performance

### *Airforce Delta*

Like most craft tied to end-game completion, it just isn't that good. It's literally inferior to the F/A-18E you already possess in all aspects. So... Why the hell should you even bother??

### *Airforce Delta Storm*

Surprisingly solid stats for a plane, but what kills it is how late in the game its unlocked. It's unlocked near the end of the first chapter of the game; and although its stats aren't bad, it just can't compare to certain planes you most likely have unlocked. Although stats are strong, it suffers from a fairly poor 2 range. Not only that, there are not one, but *two* enhanced versions of this plane. So this will very quickly see a replacement. Sad to say, you may as well skip this one, unless you really don't have any better.

### *Airforce Delta Strike*

A very decent craft for Ruth... That's unlocked very late in the game to be of major use, depending on what you have unlocked by this point. All of its stats are average; not necessarily bad, but if you have the likes of the Su-30MKI unlocked (easy to do since it's unlocked by completing *four missions as Ruth*), it trumps this thing in basically every department. Sadly, it's outclassed.

## Statistics

### *Airforce Delta Storm*

 **Range:** | 2

* *(!) - Mobility stat is Very High in the PAL version.*

### *Airforce Delta Strike*

(Clockwise starting from top)

 **Speed:** | Medium

## Notable Appearances (Missions)

### *Airforce Delta*

* Enemy F/A-18Cs appear in Federation Fleet Obstruction, The Ice Floe Base and Mobile Infantry. In none of these instances are they required.

### *Airforce Delta Storm*

* Enemy F/A-18Cs appear in Fortress on the Sands. They are not required. They also appear in On a Vast Stretch of Earth and random Intercept missions in the second chapter as optional kills.
* Allied Forces' F/A-18Cs are seen in opening cutscene of Through the Valley of Death and Fortress on the Sands.

### *Airforce Delta Strike*

* Joker squadron uses this plane for all of their appearances, which includes Doll Master.

## Gallery

### *Airforce Delta*

Enemy F/A-18C from Federation Fleet Obstruction.Ditto, plus emblem.Enemy F/A-18C from The Ice Floe Base.Ditto, plus emblem.Enemy F/A-18C from Mobile Infantry.Ditto, plus emblem.
### *Airforce Delta Storm*

Picture, plus stats.Stats in the PAL version. Note the higher mobility.F/A-18C Hornet wallpaper.F/A-18C Hornet alongside an F-14D Tomcat in flight.F/A-18C Hornet in flight.F/A-18C Hornet in flight.F/A-18C Hornet in flight.F/A-18C Hornet in flight.F/A-18C Hornet in flight.F/A-18C Hornet in flight.F/A-18C Hornet collage.Enemy F/A-18C from Fortress on the Sands.Allied Forces F/A-18CAllied Forces F/A-18C from Fortress on the Sands introPlayer F/A-18CPlayer F/A-18CPlayer F/A-18CPlayer F/A-18CPlayer F/A-18C
### *Airforce Delta Strike*

F/A-18C in Ruth's color scheme.F/A-18C with a generic color scheme.F/A-18C with Ferrite coating.Ruth's F/A-18C Hornet in flight.E.D.A.F. F/A-18C Hornet.Ditto, featuring emblem.E.D.A.F. F/A-18C texture.Aircraft statistics.F/A-18C Hornet cockpit in *Airforce Delta Strike*.The F/A-18C's special weapons, High-Maneuvering Air-to-Air Missiles.
## Trivia

* The enemy F/A-18C's paint scheme from The Ice Floe Base is exactly the same as the player's.