F/A-18C Procedures

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The following sections describe standard operating procedures and recommendations that are valid only for F/A-18C.

Considerations

Operating Altitudes

• A fully fueled and heavily armed Hornet can have problems climbing to altitudes above 30000'.
• 25k' is often more than enough for a strike ingress.
• CAP racetracks are most comfortable at 26k' - 30k'.

Ordnance

• Use ATFLIR instead of Litening, as (IRL) the ATFLIR is carrier compatible and the Litening is not.
• Do not use AGM-65F (Infrared Maverick) and AGM-62 Walleye in modern missions as those were phased out in the 90's.
• Double ugly loadouts (carrying 1 centerline tank and 1 wing tank) are common. The wing tank should be on the right wing, in order to not obscure TPod (which sits on the left cheek station) line of sight.

Capabilities

Fuel

• Max Flighttime (aka Max Endurance, or Max E) is generally flown around 250 kts IAS.
• In Max E, the Hornet burns around 1200 lbs of fuel every 15 minutes.
• Generally, pick one of four speeds:
  • Max Endurance
  • Max Range
  • Contract (prebriefed speed for rejoins etc, often 300 kts)
  • Tactical (what the situation requires)

Tactics and Techniques

• When anchoring near a target area scanning for targets with the Tpod, the following techniques are recommended:
  • If the threat picture allows, orbit around the target, with a radius of approx 10 nm, as high as possible without losing sight.
  • If situation requires to anchor away from the target, instead use a race track, so that you have the target on your 3-9-line during the straights. Bank slightly to the left when the target is to your right, to not mask yourself.

Procedures

Overhead Break

• Cut throttle to idle (do *not* use speedbrake).
• Pull around 1.5G-2G.
• In the break, immediately when speed goes below 250 kts IAS, lower landing gear and full flaps.
• Ideal lateral separation from the runway (and course line) is 1.5 nm.

Carrier Break

• Cut throttle to idle, extend speedbrake
• Pull around 2-3G.
• In the break, immediately when speed goes below 250 kts IAS, lower landing gear and full flaps (speedbrake will automatically retract).
• Ideal lateral separation from the BRC (and course line) is 1.2 nm.