F/A-18E Super Hornet vs F-35A Lightning II
Top speed, range, size and history side by side. Each was built for its own job, so this shows how they differ, not which is better.
The F-35A Lightning II is faster: 1,930 km/h against 1,915 km/h for the F/A-18E Super Hornet. The F/A-18E Super Hornet flies further: 2,346 km against 2,200 km for the F-35A Lightning II. The F/A-18E Super Hornet has the wider wingspan: 13.6 m against 10.7 m for the F-35A Lightning II. The F-35A Lightning II is heavier at takeoff: 32 tonnes against 30 tonnes for the F/A-18E Super Hornet. The F/A-18E Super Hornet first flew in 1995, 11 years before the F-35A Lightning II (2006).
| F/A-18E Super Hornet | F-35A Lightning II |
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| Top speed | 1,915 km/h (1,190 mph) | 1,930 km/h (1,199 mph) |
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| Range | 2,346 km (1,458 miles) | 2,200 km (1,367 miles) |
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| Length | 18.3 m (60 ft) | 15.7 m (52 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 13.6 m (45 ft) | 10.7 m (35 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 30 t (65,918 lb) | 32 t (70,106 lb) |
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| First flight | 1995 | 2006 |
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| Crew and capacity | 1 pilot (2 in the F model) | 1 pilot |
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| Engines | 2 × F414 afterburning turbofan | 1 × F135 afterburning turbofan |
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| Built by | Boeing | Lockheed Martin |
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| Country | USA | USA |
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