Why doesnt the FA-18 Superhornet get any respect?

Question

Its done exactly what it was designed to do with no losses so far and is very easy to maintain. Why dont foreign countries give it any respect when it comes time to purchase new fighter jets?

Answer 1

The Main drawback of the Original F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornet was its "Short Legs" meaning it didnt carry a lot of fuel and had a limited range.

The F/A-18E/F aircraft are 4.2 feet longer than earlier Hornets, have a 25% larger wing area, and carry 33% more internal fuel which will effectively increase mission range by 41% and endurance by 50%. The Super Hornet also incorporates two additional weapon stations. This allows for increased payload flexibility by mixing and matching air-to-air and/or air-to-ground ordnance. The aircraft can also carry the complete complement of "smart" weapons, including the newest joint weapons such as JDAM and JSOW.

Some of the Superhornet improvements:
90% Common F/A-18C/D Avionics: Avionics and software have a 90 percent commonality with current F/A-18C/Ds. However, the F/A-18E/F cockpit features a touch-sensitive, upfront control display; a larger, liquid crystal multipurpose color display; and a new engine fuel display.

34 in. Fuselage Extension: The fuselage is slightly longer - the result of a 34-inch extension.

Two Additional Multi-Mission Weapons Stations: Super Hornet has two additional weapons stations, bringing the total to 11. For aircraft carrier operations, about three times more payload can be brought back to the ship.

25% Larger Wing: A full 25 percent bigger than its predecessor, Super Hornet has nearly half as many parts.

35% Higher Thrust Engines: Increased engine power comes from the F414-GE-400, an advanced derivative of the Hornet's current F404 engine family. The F414 produces 35 percent more thrust and improves overall mission performance. Enlarged air inlets provide increased airflow to the engines.

33% Additional Internal Fuel: Structural changes to the airframe increase internal fuel capacity by 3,600 pounds, or about 33 percent. This extends the Hornet's mission radius by up to 40 percent
UPDATE:
Here is a comparative Drawing of the C/D Hornet to the E/F Superhornet:
http://www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/images/3view_fa18_1000.jpg
And here is some "Plane Porn" links (Dont worry, they are family safe)
http://www.iam837.org/Prod%20Pics/186.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/photos/photos/8/6/7/0726768.jpg
http://img.lenta.ru/news/2006/06/27/hornet/picture.jpg
And a few Vids:
How NOT to land the Hornet. Or Any landing you can walk away from...
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=65d838d407
Hornet compilation footage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSEAIERZ_XU

Answer 2

Because it's a piece of crap. It's a multi-mission aircraft and if you research the history of multi-mission aircraft you'll discover that there has never been a successful multi-mission aircraft at multiple missions. Some, like the F-111, were only successful after a single mission was discovered for it (in the F-111's case it was the Wild Weasel mission). There have been no combat losses for the F-18 because there is really no opposition where it's currently operating. Foreign countries aren't too hot on the Hornet variations because the US government won't sell them all the neat stuff that we use or even sell them to some foreign countries.

Answer 3

Okay, some interesting "rants" from others...

As a foreign nation I wouldn't be purchasing the Superhornet because it's a carrier-based bird, and why spend the money for those limitations and weight.

Answer 4

Well, the Hornet was designed to be reliable and easy to maintain. I guess other countries just get cheap russian crap that falls apart because they like the give their mx guys something to do. I think Sweden has 18's. And I think 2 or 3 have crashed but not by hostile fire.

Answer 5

Because the F18 has a reputation of being an 'ok' aircraft - but not spectacular in any particular area. In addition, it was designed as a carrier aircraft so it has extra reinforcement (weight) that is not needed by people who do not have carriers.

The F16 is simply a better multi-role aircraft.

Answer 6

Because it isn't as snazzy as the F-14 or F-16. It's a workhorse, like the old F-4 and P-47. They didn't get much respect either.

All the better anyway. The fewer foreign powers have them, the fewer we'll have to shoot down when they turn on us.

Answer 7

because the raptors and falcons are that much better. the superhornets are ok, but it doesn't EXCELL in anything. money comes from the dog fighters like the falcons.

Answer 8

Because what France and China has to offer is much better than the FA-18 Superflea.

Answer 9

cause it's an older jet.. i loooove em