Finnish F-18C & F/A-18C Variants and Discussion

Machinery of War Discussion
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Finnish F/A-18C Hornet in a “early” form.
Finland chose to buy Hornets to replace aging Drakens and MiG-21BIS interceptors in the 90s with first Hornets arriving to Finland in 1995 in form of D variant Hornets which were twin seat variants.
All of the Finnish F/A-18C Hornets were built in Finland by Patria, 5 of the D variants came from USA.

There are a few Hornets that could be added to Finnish tree in Swedish tree, the C and D. And MLU Upgrades.

There already exists a suggestion for the F/A-18C MLU 2, and I recently made suggestion for the original variant which rolled out from Patria lines. MLU 1 needs to be suggested still. I will focus on Finnish ships now.

Could carry 12 missiles max.

According to state reported publicly available arms transfer data and other sources, Finland has the following air to air missiles for Hornets:
AIM-9M
AIM-9X
AIM-120A
AIM-120B
AIM-120C ?
AIM-120C7
AIM-120C8
AIM-120D ?
Question marks mean that I am not 100% sure they were used or are yet in service.

ILMAVE_HN_1998

Finnish F/A-18C Early (1995-2006)

Armament:

  • M61A1 Vulcan
  • AIM-9M
  • AIM-120A
  • Dumb Bombs
  • Rocket Pods
    Misc:
  • AN/APG-73 Radar
  • Standard 120 countermeasures
  • Standard F/A-18C Equipment

Below are the two Mid Life Upgrade variants that can be added in future.

9_hornet_background_reservilainen_terotuominen_0921Hornet_amraam_6_ilmavoimat

F/A-18C MLU 1 (2006-2012)

Armament:

  • Same stuff as before
  • AIM-120C
  • AIM-9X

Misc:

  • JHMCS Helmet Mounted Sight
  • Moving tactical map display (Tactical Aircraft Moving Map Capability, TAMMAC)
  • Better Identification friend-or-foe interrogator
  • New communication radios

8_hornet_background_reservilainen_ilmavoimat_DereckBowers_0921

F/A-18C MLU 2 (2012-now)

Armament:

  • Same stuff as before
  • AIM-120C7
  • AIM-120C8
  • JASSM
  • JSOW
  • JDAM
  • SDB II

Misc:

  • Link 16 datalink
  • Litening targeting pod
  • BOL chaff/flare dispensers
  • Installation of liquid crystal displays and other cockpit updates
  • Sensor suite updates
  • New GPS

Sources:

2 Likes
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While I would love the Finnish F/A-18 to be added I think the US should get theirs first before anyone else.

1 Like
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Well I mean if it is added to Finnish subtree, its gonna be added to US tree too.

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Thats not how it works sorry, gripen didn’t get that, f16 didn’t get that, su27 didn’t get it ect ect

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Well i said should not that it would

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And im here to burst your bubble. Thats just not how it works. I don’t bother arguing for it with gaijin cause that does nothing.

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@Pheonix_RX01
They’ll be added at the same time.
Just like Gripen and Su-27.

1 Like
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Why did you need to @me? I know know this already

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Just to add, there is a possibility of AIM-9X Block II for the MLU 2, they were purchased in 2022. But I have no concrete source stating or picture, of AIM-9X Block II being used on the hornet. Maybe in future, idk.

  • If someone happens to know what a “AIM-9X Block II Tactical Guidance Unit” is, would be nice to know. 4 pieces of such items were bought along with the AIM-9X Block II missiles.