The F/A-18 Hornet is a single- and two-seat, twin engine, multi-mission
fighter/attack aircraft that can operate from either aircraft carriers
or land bases. The F/A-18 fills a variety of roles: air superiority,
fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance,
forward air control, close and deep air support, and day and night
strike missions. The F/A-18 Hornet replaced the F-4 Phantom II fighter
and A-7 Corsair II light attack jet, and also replaced the A-6 Intruder
as these aircraft were retired during the 1990s.