F/A-18S “Silent Hornet”

Overview:
The F/A-18S Silent Hornet is a next-step evolution of the Super Hornet — not a full stealth fighter, but a smart upgrade made to keep the Hornet family flying into the 2040s. Developed in the early 2030s, it was designed to give carrier air wings something modern, reliable, and versatile without relying entirely on the more expensive F-35C fleet.

Design Changes:

• Cleaner airframe lines and angled tail fins give it a smaller radar signature, especially from the front
• No full stealth, but enough shaping and coating to delay detection in hostile airspace
• Two shallow internal bays added to the sides of the lower fuselage — perfect for short-range missiles or decoys
• Still keeps 8 external hardpoints (4 per wing), so it doesn’t lose out on firepower

Why It Exists:
It was built to supplement, not replace, what the Navy already had. The idea was to give squadrons something with a little more edge in modern combat without needing new carriers, new logistics, or new training pipelines. The Silent Hornet looks and feels familiar, but it flies cleaner, hits faster, and survives longer in a fight.

Role:

• Air patrols, fleet defense, strike missions — it can do them all
• Often flies in support of or alongside F-35Cs, helping fill the gaps and carry more ordnance when needed
• Works great for missions where stealth isn’t critical, but survivability still matters

Nickname Meaning:
“Silent Hornet” comes from its quieter radar signature and smoother approach — it’s not invisible, but it’s harder to see coming than the older Hornets. And when it shows up, it stings just the same.

Who Uses It:
Mainly the U.S. Navy, though a few allied countries with older Hornet fleets showed interest. It's especially useful for squadrons that want something new without needing to rebuild everything from scratch.

Front left view of F/A-18S

An F/A-18S doing a high G turn