How Much Does an F/A-18F Super Hornet Cost?

The F/A-18F Super Hornet is a twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter jet developed by Boeing to serve as an advanced derivative of the F/A-18 Hornet. Since entering service with the United States Navy in 2001, the Super Hornet has become the backbone of U.S. naval aviation and serves alongside the original Hornet to provide the striking power from Navy aircraft carriers.

But how much does one of these advanced jets cost? The answer is not straightforward, as the Super Hornet comes in different configurations and the price depends on when an aircraft was ordered. But we can look at average flyaway costs over the years to get an idea of the Super Hornet’s price tag.

How Much Does an F/A-18F Super Hornet Cost?

The flyaway cost for an F/A-18F Super Hornet is approximately $70 million per aircraft. However, the total cost rises to over $90 million when factoring in operating expenses over its lifetime as well as additions like advanced avionics, sensors, and armaments. The Super Hornet provides strong capabilities and versatility relative to its cost.

Here is a table summarizing the key costs of the F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet:

Cost Factor	Estimated Cost
Flyaway Cost (Per Jet)	$70+ million
Total Acquisition Costs to Date	Over $50 billion
Operating Cost Per Flight Hour	$15,000
Lifetime Operating Cost (Per Jet)	$90+ million
Conformal Fuel Tanks (Per Jet)	+ $2 million
JHMCS Helmet	Over $300,000
ATFLIR Targeting Pod	~$3 million
AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon	$300,000+ per missile
AIM-9X Sidewinder Missile	~$400,000 per missile
AIM-120 AMRAAM Missile	~$1.1 million per missile
GBU-31 JDAM Bomb Kit	$20,000+ per kit
AN/ALQ-214 Countermeasures System	Millions per jet

In summary, the advanced avionics, sensors, and weapons equipped on the F/A-18F significantly increase its costs over the baseline aircraft. But its versatility and capability is regarded as cost-effective for naval aviation roles.

Acquisition Costs

The first F/A-18Fs ordered in 1992 had a flyaway cost of about $60 million per jet for the early production models. Flyaway cost refers to the cost of an aircraft as built by the manufacturer, excluding research and development costs. Adjusted for inflation, that equates to around $75 million in 2022 dollars.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the average flyaway cost for a Super Hornet was approximately $50-60 million. More recently in 2013, the Navy purchased 24 F/A-18Fs for $57 million each, or about $65 million adjusted for inflation. The most recent orders have seen costs creep up to around $70+ million per jet.

In total, acquisition costs for the 526 Super Hornets purchased by the U.S. Navy to date come out to over $50 billion in then-year dollars. That translates to a sizeable investment by the government to procure these aircraft.

Operating Costs

In addition to the purchase price, the cost to operate the Super Hornet stacks up over time. The Navy estimated that the operating cost per flight hour was around $16,000 in 2012. Maintenance and repairs, fuel, supplies, spare parts and other sustainment costs are all factors in the operating expenses.

With a lifespan of around 6,000 flight hours, the cumulative operating costs over the service life of a single Super Hornet can be $96 million or more. Multiply that by the hundreds of F/A-18Fs in service and the total operating costs really add up.

Armament and Modifications

The baseline F/A-18F is already a highly capable aircraft. But additional capabilities come at an extra price.

Some of the most common modifications and weapons equipping Super Hornets today include:

• Conformal fuel tanks – Allows for greater range/endurance. Adds over $2 million per aircraft.
• Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) – Provides improved targeting. Over $300,000 per helmet.
• AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR targeting pod – Infrared search and track pod. Around $3 million each.
• AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon – Glide bomb for standoff attacks. Costs over $300,000 per missile.
• AIM-9X Sidewinder missile – Short-range air-to-air missile. Approximately $400,000 per missile.
• AIM-120 AMRAAM – Radar-guided air-to-air missile. Roughly $1.1 million each.
• GBU-31 JDAM – Precision-guided bomb kit. Adds $20,000+ to base bomb.
• AN/ALQ-214 radio frequency countermeasures system – Provides electronic warfare protection. Adds millions to cost.

As you can see, the Super Hornet has an extensive range of enhancements and weapons that significantly add to its cost over its lifecycle. The advanced avionics, radar systems and sensor suites equipping it also run up the price tag.

Cost Per Flight Hour

A different way to look at the F/A-18F’s cost is by flight hour. This takes into account all the expenses of fuel, maintenance, repairs and other operating costs averaged out over each hour the aircraft spends in operation.

The Super Hornet cost per flight hour has been decreasing as the aircraft matures. In 2001, it was around $17,800 per hour. By 2012, it had dropped to $16,000. And in 2019, the Navy estimated it at $15,300.

Compared to other fighters, that puts the Super Hornet among the most affordable jets to operate on a cost per flight hour basis. For context, the advanced F-22 Raptor costs around $35,000 per hour to fly. And the stealthy F-35 has a flight hour cost of $44,000 as of 2022.

Cost Effectiveness

When looking at the Super Hornet’s costs, it’s important to weigh them against thecapabilities the aircraft delivers. And by most accounts, it is regarded as one of the most cost-effective modern tactical aircraft.

The Super Hornet brings advanced stealth, avionics, sensors and weapons systems. It can perform a wide range of missions including air superiority, precision strike, close air support and electronic warfare. And it has proven itself in combat operations since entering service.

Compared to other fighters, the F/A-18F delivers outstanding capability and versatility for the price. While not the most advanced or stealthiest jet, it gets the job done at lower cost than the cutting edge F-22 or F-35 in many scenarios.

For naval aviation in particular, the Super Hornet’s multirole functionality and rugged reliability make it a sensible choice relative to its cost. Having a well-equipped, affordable workhorse fighter has been key for the Navy as budgets tighten.

Cost Takeaways

So in summary, what are the key takeaways when looking at the F/A-18F Super Hornet’s cost?

• Flyaway cost is around $70+ million per aircraft in current procurement deals.
• Total acquisition costs so far have exceeded $50 billion for U.S. Navy Super Hornets.
• Operating costs stack up to around $15,000 per flight hour and over $90 million per aircraft over a lifetime.
• Advanced systems, sensors and weapons can nearly double the cost compared to an empty baseline jet.
• Cost per flight hour has decreased over time to around $15,000 as the platform matures.
• The Super Hornet provides excellent capability and versatility relative to its cost.

While not cheap by any means, the F/A-18F continues to provide high performance and value. As budgets get squeezed, the Super Hornet remains a core asset for naval aviation and will keep playing a vital role into the future. Its cost-effective design balances capabilities with affordability – a combination that the Navy requires now and looking forward.

FAQs

How much does an F-18F cost? The cost of an F/A-18F Super Hornet varies but is generally estimated to be around $70 million to $80 million per unit, as of my last knowledge update in September 2021.

How much does the FA-18 flyaway cost? The flyaway cost of an FA-18 (F/A-18) Super Hornet includes the cost of the aircraft itself without additional equipment or weapons. It is estimated to be in the range of $70 million to $80 million, depending on the specific configuration and contract terms.

How much does an F-16 cost? The cost of an F-16 also varies depending on the variant and configuration. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, the estimated cost of an F-16 was around $50 million to $70 million per unit.

What is the difference between the FA-18 Super Hornet and F-18? The terms “F/A-18” and “F-18” are often used interchangeably, but technically, the “F/A-18” designation refers to aircraft capable of both air-to-air combat (F) and ground attack (A). The “Super Hornet” typically refers to the latest and larger variant of the F/A-18, known as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

How much do F-18 pilots make? Pilot salaries in the military, including those flying F/A-18s, vary based on rank, years of service, and other factors. As of my last knowledge update, a typical U.S. Navy pilot could earn a base salary ranging from approximately $40,000 to $130,000 per year.

Can Tom Cruise fly an F-18? Tom Cruise is an actor and not a trained military pilot. While he did portray a naval aviator in the movie “Top Gun,” he did not actually fly an F-18 in real life.

What is the cheapest aerobatic aircraft? The cost of aerobatic aircraft can vary widely, but some relatively affordable options for aerobatic flying include used light sport aircraft (LSA) or homebuilt kit planes designed for aerobatics.

How much does an F-15 Eagle cost? The cost of an F-15 Eagle varies depending on the variant and configuration but is generally estimated to be around $80 million to $100 million per unit.

How much does the F-22 Raptor cost? The cost of an F-22 Raptor was approximately $150 million to $160 million per unit, as of my last knowledge update in September 2021.

How much does a MiG-29 cost? The cost of a MiG-29 can vary based on the variant and condition, but it is generally estimated to be in the range of $25 million to $40 million per unit.

Can a citizen buy an F-16? It is extremely unlikely for a private citizen to purchase an operational F-16 fighter aircraft. These aircraft are typically owned and operated by military forces and governments.

How much does a MiG-35 cost? The cost of a MiG-35 can vary depending on the configuration and contract terms, but it is estimated to be in the range of $40 million to $50 million per unit.

Is the F-18 Super Hornet a good dogfighter? The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a versatile and capable multirole fighter, but its performance as a dogfighter depends on various factors, including the pilot’s skill and tactics. While it may not have the same level of agility as some dedicated air superiority fighters, it can hold its own in air-to-air combat.

Is the F-18 Super Hornet being retired? As of my last knowledge update, there were discussions and plans to eventually retire the older F/A-18 Hornets in favor of the newer F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. However, the retirement timeline may vary based on military decisions and budget considerations.

Do some pilots make 500k a year? Some highly experienced and specialized commercial pilots, such as airline captains flying for major carriers, may earn salaries in the range of $200,000 to $500,000 or more per year, especially if they have many years of experience and work for high-paying airlines.

How much do Navy SEALs get paid? Navy SEALs are members of the U.S. Navy’s special operations forces. Their pay is determined by their rank, years of service, and other factors. A typical SEAL’s salary can range from approximately $50,000 to over $100,000 per year, but they may receive additional bonuses and allowances for special assignments and qualifications.

What is the highest-paid pilot? The highest-paid pilots are often found in the commercial airline industry, particularly at major airlines. Airline captains flying large, long-haul aircraft for major carriers can earn some of the highest salaries among pilots, with potential earnings exceeding $500,000 per year when factoring in bonuses and seniority.