F/A-18E/F

[Tenom1]

Hello all, I've been doing some research on the Super Hornet as it's the next jet I plan to campaign with. Anyway to no avail I haven't really found a definitive answer on what the roles are for the one-seater and two-seater variants. The closest I've gotten is reading that the two-seater is used in more "sensitive" situations requiring division of labor. Could someone clarify this for me?

[Slartibartfast]

As far as I understand... the 2 models are used practically the same... but I think the single seater is more aimed at Intercept etc and the twin for attack/recce missions where having 2 heads is better than one... maybe I am wrong and if I am my apologies... Must admit I usually fly my singles on Intercept and air to air and the twin on any attack profile missions...

 

F-18E Intercept Cap Escort and AAR...

 

F-18F Sead Attack (both Shipping and ground) Recce...

 

A more definitive answer I don't know

Edited November 12, 2010 by Slartibartfast

[+ST0RM]

Just basing my reply on what I've seen over Iraq and Afghanistan, so bear with me. Both aircraft are used in the same mission roles. Strike, CAS, BARCAP, tanker, etc... However, the Foxtrot has been the only one carrying the SHARPs Recce pod. Although it's cleared for both types, I think having the extra crewman to run the pod has been the key factor. On that, they still retained some CAS ability and carried a GBU-12 and GBU-38, plus aux tanks. They were often paired with another F or even a mixed formation with a C or E.

 

Hope it helps.

[EricJ]

F/A-18E: Armed Reconnaissance, Escort, Strike, Anti-Ship, Fighter Sweep, Intercept, Combat Air Patrol,

Reconnaissance, Close Air Support, SEAD.

F/A-18F: Armed Reconnaissance, Escort, Strike, Anti-Ship, Fighter Sweep, Intercept, Combat Air Patrol,

Reconnaissance, Close Air Support, SEAD, FAC(A)

[Tenom1]

Thanks for all the answers so far. Along what ST0RM was saying though I'm also interested in how the two are deployed in real life and what the parameters are that dictate when they are deployed on missions. Besides the mention of the SHARP pod I'm still picturing a mission planner going "Alright let's see here, E, E, F, E, E, E, F, E, wait no F, E, E, F, E."