A replica of the F/A-18E Super Hornet from the elite fictional squadron, VFA-156 “Blackbacks”. A little experiment of mine to put more detail into an aircraft. I’d say this experiment is a success.

This plane pushed me to Silver! Thank you guys so much! Don’t worry, expect more sweet planes in the future.

Armament:
4x Guardian SSAAMs
4x Interceptor LAAMs (AMRAAM-120 Stand-ins)
1x Minigun

Grouping:
1 - Arrestor Hook
2 - Missile Arming
3 - Anti-Collision/NAV Lights
4 - Wing Folding (VTOL Up)
7 - Fuel Tanks (29% Fuel)
8 - Formation Lights

Backstory:
Aircraft:
The Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft variants based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The F/A-18E single-seat and F/A-18F tandem-seat variants are larger and more advanced derivatives of the F/A-18C and D Hornet. The concept of an enlarged Hornet was first proposed in the 1980s, which was marketed by McDonnell Douglas as Hornet 2000. The Hornet 2000 concept was an advanced F/A-18 with a larger wing and a longer fuselage to carry more fuel and more powerful engines.

The Super Hornet was first ordered by the U.S. Navy in 1992. The Navy retained the F/A-18 designation to help sell the program to Congress as a low-risk "derivative", though the Super Hornet is largely a new aircraft. The Hornet and Super Hornet share many characteristics, including avionics, ejection seats, radar, armament, mission computer software, and maintenance/operating procedures. The initial F/A-18E/F retained most of the avionics systems from the F/A-18C/D's configuration at the time. The design would be expanded in the Super Hornet with an empty weight slightly greater than the F-15C.

The Super Hornet first flew on 29 November 1995. Initial production on the F/A-18E/F began in 1995. Flight testing started in 1996 with the F/A-18E/F's first carrier landing in 1997. Low-rate production began in March 1997 with full production beginning in September 1997. Testing continued through 1999, finishing with sea trials and aerial refueling demonstrations. Testing involved 3,100 test flights covering 4,600 flight hours. The Super Hornet underwent U.S. Navy operational tests and evaluations in 1999, and was approved in February 2000.
(Excerpts from Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Wikipedia)

VFA-156 “Blackbacks”:
The Blackbacks are an elite fighter squadron based on the U.S.S. [REDACTED]. They also serve as a test pilot squadron for new aircraft assigned to them by the U.S. Navy. Activated sometime in the mid-2000's, the squadron has seen combat in the War on Terror and in the New Cold War. Since activation, the 5 man squadron has a ridiculously high kill count of 120, with 53 being under the leader's belt.
Members:
Blackback 1: Peter "Baron" Van [REDACTED]
Blackback 2: UNKNOWN
Blackback 3: UNKNOWN
Blackback 4: Carmella ”Yellow” Aquila
Blackback 5: UNKNOWN

Unit Cost:
$70,500,000

Notes of the Aircraft:
A fairly quick aircraft, especially for my builds. Also very maneuverable, though it can be over-maneuverable. If it’s too hard for you to control, set the rotators for the stabilator to 10%, rather than 15%. Completely carrier-capable, it’s a fun craft to fly. It’s able to do a cobra even with a full load, just pull the brakes and pull up at around 200-300 mph (though speeds can change depending on fuel load.)