The Strategic Role: Why the US Navy Pits the F/A-18 Super Hornet Against its Own F-35C Fleet
The US Navy continues to utilize the F/A-18 Super Hornet for a critical mission, even with the advanced F-35C available. The Super Hornet serves as an 'aggressor' aircraft, simulating 4th-generation enemy fighters during training exercises for F-35 pilots. This strategy provides realistic combat scenarios essential for preparing pilots for real-world threats. The primary driver for this decision is cost-effectiveness, as the F/A-18 has significantly lower operational costs than the F-35. Using the older, non-stealth jet as an adversary allows the Navy to conduct high-quality training without the immense expense of using F-35s for both roles.
Official Source: https://simpleflying.com/little-known-reason-us-navy-choose-fa-18-over-f-35c-missions/
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