It recovers fast, is repaired quickly, and then flies the next day. That is how versatile and reliable the F-18 is.
Its survivability was proven and demonstrated during the Operation Desert Storm. The F-18C Hornet was born in 1987 as the result of a block upgrade of the F-18. Incorporated were upgraded radar, avionics, the capacity to carry new missiles, the Martin-Baker Navy Aircrew Common Ejection Seat (NACES) and a self-protection jammer.
The F-18 entered service with both the Navy and Marine Corps during the mid-1980s as a replacement for the A-7 and F-4 Phantom II. Production of the F-18C, a single seat variant, ended in 1999 having been superseded by the F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet. F-18C/D models are expected to retire by 2020.
Weaponry: 1x 20 mm M61 Vulcan internal gatling gun with 578 rounds
9: 2 wingtip, 4 underwing, and 3 fuselage, carrying up to 13,700 lb (6,215 kg) of missiles, rockets, bombs, fuel tanks, and pods
Air-to-air: AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-132 ASRAAM, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-7 Sparrow, IRIS-T
Air-to-ground: AGM-45 Shrike, AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-88 HARM, SLAM-ER, JSOW, Taurus missile
Anti-ship: AGM-84 Harpoon
CBU-87
cluster, CBU-89 gator mine, CBU-97 CEM, Paveway, JDAM, Mk 80 series, nuclear bombs,<24> Mk 20 Rockeye II cluster, mines