[Traben]

F/A-18I Hornet
- GRDF Multirole Fighter -



F/A-18I Picture A - F/A-18I Picture B

GAMES FEATURED IN:
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere (NTSC-J)
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere (Other Formats)

OPERATORS:
General Resource Defense Force

VARIANTS:
F/A-18U Hornet ADV (UPEO variant)

WEAPONS:
Vulcan Machine Gun
Heavy Machine Gun
Short Ranged Missile
Ground Missile

STATS (F/A-18U):

Power: 20
Attack: 30
Defense: 45
Stability: 45
Mobility: 30

SPECIFICATIONS:
Width - 13.62 m
Length - 18.31 m
Wingspan - 4.88 m
Weight - 29937 kg
Max Speed - 2324 km/h
Type: Normal

OVERVIEW:
The F/A-18I is a fictional variant of the venerable F/A-18E Super Hornet. The modifications include: an F-15-style airbrake between the 2 vertical tails, the COFFIN system, larger flaps for greater manoeuvrability and more powerful engines which add 400 km/h to the top speed over the standard F/A-18E.

A variety of missile load-outs are available to enhance its air to air and air to ground combat capabilities. There are only a few instances where the F/A-18 was used by GRDF in 2040. The UPEO variant of the F/A-18I, known as the F/A-18U is widely used by the UPEO during their initial operations on the Usean continent.



SOURCES
Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere (In-game data)

ACCREDITATION
screenshots by: Antare

* Original Article By: Antare

[Zaku]

The airbrake design comes from the legacy Hornet, kind of like how the F-22C incorporates the YF-22 airbrake despite it being left out of the previous variant.

[RzB]

...I would like to know where that assumption came from, I've played through both AC3J and AC3NA, and have never seen something that suggested that...

[son of a bandit]

Well, in the US version of AC3, you only fight these guys on a single mission. Perhaps that's where the assumption came from. If you ask me, GR uses the hornet sparingly because it's the only carrier based fighter they have.

Other enemies seem to be more common. Though most of the missions you seem to fight neucom forces more than GR, so who knows. The most common GR enemies tend to be F-22s and F/A-32Cs. F-15Actives, F-36s and the basic F-16XLs are less common.

[Ribbon-Rena]

It only appeared in 1 Mission (AC3:NA) and 2 missions AC3:JP.. Most (if not all) AC3 planes miraculously able to land in any aircraft carrier, so it's certainly not the carrier based aircraft GR had..

But indeed, most GR enemies are F-15S/MT in the beginning and F-22s and F/A-32Cs later in the game..

[Heinkel]

It should be inverse, the F-22s are the escorts of the F/A-32s for intercept missions.

[JianDaoXiao]

What is the diference with F/A-18U?
The F/A-18U is just the UPEO paintscheme of the F/A-18I, or have onther diference?

[Grastens 7]

Grammar and spelling edited.

[JianDaoXiao]

Alright, Rukia has a book, and the F/A-18 is not from UPEO. Is from GR, and UPEO just buy it...
F/A-18I Hornet ADV Blueprints


F/A-18U Hornet ADV Blueprints

[Antare]

Added stats pic.

[NekoArk]

I find it strange how the GRDF version of the HornetADV was not the starter aircraft just like UPEO had the EF-2000E, MiG-33 and how Neucom had the Delphinus 1. Instead, you start out with the F-16XA or the F-15SMT for GR. I understand how story-wise you can't fly the Ace's aircraft colors at first but the HornetADV didn't make sense why it was unlocked after you beat the game.

[Jetfreak]

Yeah, I would have preferred flying it over the Sakerfalcon if given the chance.

No regrets about the Eagle though. That starter was more than good enough.

[Demon Lord Razgriz]

I wonder how this will stack up in a possible AC3 remake now that there's a RL F/A-18I?

[EstovakianHarrierPlus]

Hmm, the F/A-18I in real life is a variant of the super hornet being offered for India lol.