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F/A-18 Super Hornet vs. Chengdu J-20

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F/A-18 Super Hornet

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J-20

Role
Mulitrole fighterAll-weather stealth
Generation
4.5 generation5th generation
National Origin
United StatesChina
Manufacturer
BoeingChengdu
Price (USD)
$70 Million$120 Million
Primary Users
US NavyPeople's Liberation Army Air Force
First Flight
19952011
Last Production Year
In ProductionIn Production
# Units Built
>600>150
Status
In ServiceIn Service
Seats
1 (F-18E) / 2 (F-18F)1 (J-20A) / 2 (J-20S)
Length
18 m60 ft
21 m69 ft
Wingspan
13 m44 ft
13 m42 ft
Wing Area
46 m²500 ft²
73 m²785 ft²
Height
4 m16 ft
4 m15 ft
Empty Weight
14,560 kg32,100 lbs
17,001 kg37,480 lbs
Gross Weight
21,319 kg47,000 lbs
25,002 kg55,120 lbs
MTOW
29,937 kg66,000 lbs
37,000 kg81,570 lbs
Fuel Capacity
6,668 kg14,700 lbs
11,793 kg26,000 lbs
Number of Engines
22
Engine Type
TurbofanTurbofan
Engine Manufacturer
General ElectricShenyang
Engine Model
F414-GE-400WS-10C
Dry Thrust
58 kN13,000 lbs
145 kN32,600 lbs
Thrust w/ Afterburner
98 kN22,000 lbf
142 kN32,000 lbf
Max Thrust
196 kN44,000 lbf
284 kN64,000 lbf
Max Speed (Mach)
Mach 1.60Mach 2.00
Top Speed
1,915 km/h1,190 mph
2,136 km/h1,327 mph
Range
2,361 km1,275 nm
2,037 km1,100 nm
Rate of Climb
254 m/s50,000 ft/min
304 m/s59,800 ft/min
Ceiling
15,240 m50,000 ft
20,117 m66,000 ft
G Limit
7 g9 g

What Are the Differences Between the F/A-18 Super Hornet and Chengdu J-20

F/A-18 Super Hornet vs Chengdu J-20 Size Comparison

  • At 21.20 meters, the Chengdu J-20 is 2.90 meters longer than the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
  • With a wingspan of 13.60 meters, the F/A-18 Super Hornet is 0.60 meters wider from wingtip to wingtip.
  • The wing area of the F/A-18 Super Hornet is 0.20 meters bigger than that of the Chengdu J-20’s 4.70 meters.

F/A-18 Super Hornet vs Chengdu J-20 Price

  • The Chengdu J-20 is more expensive than the F/A-18 Super Hornet, with a unit cost of approximately 120 million compared to the F/A-18 Super Hornet’s unit cost of approximately 70 million.

F/A-18 Super Hornet vs Chengdu J-20 Speed

  • The Chengdu J-20 has a top speed of 1,327 miles per hour, and the F/A-18 Super Hornet has a top speed of 1,190 miles per hour. Head to head, this makes the Chengdu J-20 137 miles per hour faster than the F/A-18 Super Hornet.

About the F/A-18 Super Hornet

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a direct evolution of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, is an American twin-engine, supersonic, carrier-capable multirole fighter jet. It's used primarily by the United States Navy as well as the Royal Australian Air Force and Kuwait Air Force.

Production History: The Super Hornet was initially developed by McDonnell Douglas, with its first flight in 1995. Following the merger of McDonnell Douglas with Boeing, full-rate production commenced in September 1997. The Super Hornet entered service with the United States Navy in 1999, effectively replacing the Grumman F-14 Tomcat by 2006. As of April 2020, over 632 units had been produced, with Boeing announcing plans to conclude production in 2025.

Design Features: The Super Hornet design stemmed from a requirement for a more capable version of the F/A-18 Hornet. It carries an internal 20mm M61A2 rotary cannon and is capable of deploying various weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. It can be equipped with up to five external fuel tanks for extended range missions and can be configured as an airborne tanker.

Operational History:

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet has been integral in various military operations, showcasing its effectiveness in air-to-air combat, precision-guided night strikes, and close air support, among other roles. Its first air-kill occurred on June 18, 2017, against a Syrian Sukhoi Su-22. The Super Hornet's multirole capability has made it a valuable asset in diverse military operations.

Comparison with Similar Models:

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet vs. F-14 Tomcat:

Role and Capabilities: The F-14 primarily served as an air superiority fighter with secondary ground attack capabilities. In contrast, the Super Hornet is a true multirole aircraft, adept in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Performance and Armament: The F-14 boasted a longer range and heavier weapons load capacity. However, the Super Hornet's smaller size and versatile armament options make it more adaptable in various combat scenarios.

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet vs. F/A-18 Hornet:

Design Evolution: The Super Hornet is an enlarged and enhanced version of the original Hornet, offering increased range, payload capacity, and advanced capabilities.

Role Expansion: While maintaining the multirole capabilities of the Hornet, the Super Hornet introduces improvements like increased fuel capacity, enhanced avionics, and a greater payload, broadening its effectiveness in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles.

About the Chengdu J-20

The Chengdu J-20 "Mighty Dragon" is China's first fifth-generation, stealth, multi-role fighter aircraft, developed for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Introduced into service in 2017, the J-20 represents a significant leap forward in Chinese military aviation, designed to secure air superiority and support the strategic objectives of China's defense policy. It combines advanced stealth capabilities, long-range strike potential, and high maneuverability to counter enemy fighters and missile systems effectively.

Production History: The J-20's development started in the early 2000s, with the goal of producing an aircraft capable of matching or surpassing the capabilities of contemporary American fifth-generation fighters such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. The first flight occurred in 2011, and after a series of extensive tests and evaluations, the J-20 was officially declared combat-ready and entered PLAAF service in 2017.

Design Features: The J-20 features a sleek, aerodynamic design with low radar cross-section characteristics, including internal weapon bays to minimize its visibility to radar. It is equipped with two high-thrust turbofan engines, contributing to its supercruise capability and high-speed performance. The J-20's large frame allows for considerable fuel and payload capacity, extending its range and versatility in operations.

Operational History: While specific details of the J-20's operational history remain closely guarded, it is known to have participated in various military exercises and training operations since its introduction. The J-20 is intended to perform a range of missions, from air superiority and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) to precision strikes and reconnaissance, demonstrating its strategic importance to the PLAAF.

Comparison with Similar Models:

J-20 "Mighty Dragon" vs. F-22 Raptor

Stealth and Performance: The F-22 Raptor is renowned for its stealth capabilities and unmatched air superiority performance. The J-20 aims to rival this with its own stealth design and advanced aerodynamics, though the F-22 maintains an edge in stealth technology and supermaneuverability due to its thrust vectoring capabilities.

Avionics and Systems Integration: Both aircraft feature state-of-the-art avionics suites, but the F-22's mature systems and operational experience provide it with proven capabilities in combat environments.

J-20 "Mighty Dragon" vs. F-35 Lightning II

Multi-Role Flexibility: The F-35 Lightning II is designed as a multi-role stealth fighter, excelling in ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with its advanced sensor fusion and stealth characteristics. The J-20, while primarily focused on air superiority, also incorporates multi-role capabilities.

Technological Innovation and Exportability: The F-35 has seen widespread export to allies of the United States, enhancing global interoperability. The J-20, being a critical asset for China's national defense, has not been offered for export.

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Values shown may not be 100% accurate, as some metrics are averages or only represent certain production years and configurations. Engine specs are based on the best options available.

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