F/A-18A Hornet

The F/A-18A Hornet is a foundational supersonic, twin-engine, all-weather multirole fighter jet. Originally developed by McDonnell Douglas, it was designed for use by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, serving as both a fighter (F) and attack (A) aircraft. Its innovative features include a digital fly-by-wire system and rugged construction for carrier operations. The first aircraft were delivered to the U.S. Marines and Navy, with the first deployed Hornets sent to USS Constellation (CV-64) in 1985. The Blue Angels adopted the F/A-18 in 1986.

Boeing, the manufacturer, acquired McDonnell Douglas in 1997, continuing the legacy of the Hornet family. Boeing’s history traces back to 1916, evolving into a global aerospace leader known for both commercial aircraft and defense systems.

A range of platforms and access solutions are utilized for maintaining this aircraft. These elevated access stands provide access to critical areas across the airframe. Modular Stepover Platforms facilitate safe movement over obstacles near the fuselage and wings. Super Service Stands and Cantilever Platforms offer dependable access for thorough maintenance on the engines (inlet/exhaust, fan, compressor, turbine) and wing systems (pylon, anti-ice). Dedicated solutions support access to the nose section (radome, avionics, cockpit), the landing gear (NLG, MLG), and the tail section (vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer).