In the suspiciously Hornet shaped hole in the tech tree?
after the Tomcat?
Somewhere else? (please share where and why)
0voters
Didn't we talk about this before?
I understand this discussion was run before, however, I feel it prudent to create a new thread to restart this discussion on a blank slate. The last discussion was run in May of 2024 - almost a full year ago. In the intervening time, circumstances have changed, and I feel that opinions may have changed.
The announced addition of the Hornet does not surprise me. Its placement in the tech tree, however, does. The US tech tree has an empty space after the AV-8B+ in the strike aircraft line. It thus follows that the Hornet, the multi-role strike fighter acquired specifically to replace the US navy’s specialized strike aircraft would round out the attacker line. The Hornet, much like the harrier, is a naval strike fighter with AMRAAMS makes up for its relatively low speed with manueverability and armament. Placing a fighter in a non-fighter lineup is not without precedent; the American tech tree already has the bomber line end with the F-15E. Finally, placing the Hornet after the F-14B complicates the addition of the F-14D.
I was fully expecting the F/A-18A and C to go after the AV-8B while the Super Hornets go after the F-14s. And with the F-14D, I dont know about anybody else, but I think it would be fine foldered in with the F-14B
There is no empty space after the AV-8B+, there will be things added there in the future.
F-18C is not a strike aircraft. Source: US Navy.
F-18A/C replaced 3 fighters and 1 strike aircraft.
F-18E replaced 2 strike aircraft, and 1 multi-role.
F-14D is not complicated, it gets added in-between the F-14B and F-18C, as it should be.
@MrMoustachio1017
Why would the aircraft that replaced 3 strike aircraft with the heavier worse airframe go after the F-14B?
Why would the aircraft that replaced 3 fighters with the fighter airframe go after the AV-8B?
“F/A-18 Hornet became the nation’s first all-weather fighter and attack aircraft, and was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air support without compromising its fighter capabilities.”
“The Hornet was developed in the mid-1970s as a replacement for the F-4 Phantom II and the A-7 Corsair that were then in use by the U.S. Navy and Marines as ground attack aircraft.”
"After flying Phantoms for more than 20 years, VMFA-115 began the transition to the F/A-18A Hornet on 1 January 1985, and officially stood up with 14 aircraft on 16 August 1985. The following year, the squadron became officially known as the "Silver Eagles.”
“July 1985: The MABS detachment was deactivated, and its personnel were transfered to VMA-142 and H&MS-42 Det A for training. H&MS-42 Det A was redsignated as Marine Avation Logistics Squadron 42 Detachment A (MALS-42 Det A) in 1988, while VMA-142 was redesignated in 1990 as VMFA-142 upon replacement of the A-4 Skyhawk with the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft.”
"The Blue Blasters departed in January 1996 aboard CVN-73 for their last deployment flying the A-6E Intruder in support of Operation DECISIVE ENDEAVOR over Bosnia-Herzegovina and Operation SOUTHERN WATCH over Iraq. Typical missions included CAS and Airborne Forward Air Controller (FAC (A)) assisting U.S. and UN troops on the ground. The squadron returned to NAS Oceana for a long-awaited homecoming with family and friends.
On September 30, 1996, Attack Squadron 34 was re-designated VFA-34 and returned once again to NAS Cecil Field where they immediately began transitioning to the Boeing F/A-18C Hornet."
"then VA-25 turned in its A-1 “Spads” in 1968, it was the last propeller driven tactical squadron in the Navy.
The next aircraft for VA-25 was the A-7B Corsair II. After only four months of training in the new attack jet, VA-25 departed for its fourth combat cruise to Southeast Asia. In the following two years, the squadron made two more combat cruises aboard USS RANGER, expending over 15 million pounds of ordnance on targets in Laos and Vietnam. VA-25’s WESTPAC 74 cruise marked its first non-combat deployment in over 9 years.
In May 1983, pilots from VA-25 began training in the new F/A-18A Hornet."
F-18A/C replaced: F-8 Crusader [instantly, it was retired 2 years after the F-18 project started], F-14A [probably some Bs as well], F-4D/J, and the A-7 [the sole strike aircraft in the list].