{"slug":"f35-vs-f18","question":"F-35 Lightning II vs F-18 Super Hornet","answer":"The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for 2020s-era threats with advanced sensors and multi-role capability, while the F-18 is a proven fourth-generation fighter optimized for speed, maneuverability, and carrier operations. The F-35 costs 3x more per unit but offers superior stealth and sensor fusion; the F-18 remains faster and more combat-proven.","answer_curated":true,"verdict":"The F-35 is the more capable fifth-generation fighter with superior stealth, sensor fusion, and multi-domain awareness, making it better equipped for contested modern airspace. However, the F-18 Super Hornet remains faster, significantly cheaper, combat-proven across multiple decades and theatres, and operationally mature. Choose the F-35 if you need next-generation stealth and sensor advantages for 2025+ threats; choose the F-18 if you prioritize proven reliability, speed, cost-effectiveness, and immediate operational readiness.","keyDifferences":[{"label":"Generation & Stealth Technology","winner":"a","entityAValue":"Fifth-generation with radar cross-section <0.001 m²","entityBValue":"Fourth-generation conventional design, RCS ~5 m²"},{"label":"Unit Cost (2024)","winner":"b","entityAValue":"$130-140 million flyaway cost","entityBValue":"$65-70 million flyaway cost"},{"label":"Maximum Speed","winner":"b","entityAValue":"Mach 1.6+ (1,190 mph)","entityBValue":"Mach 1.9+ (1,190 mph)"},{"label":"Combat-Proven Sorties","winner":"b","entityAValue":"~2,500 combat sorties (Iraq, Syria since 2018)","entityBValue":"~100,000+ combat sorties since 1995 (Gulf War, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan)"},{"label":"Sensor Fusion & AI","winner":"a","entityAValue":"Integrated DAS (Distributed Aperture System), Autonomic Logistical Information System","entityBValue":"Standard radar and targeting pod without fusion architecture"}],"winner":{"slug":"f-18-super-hornet","name":"F-18 Super Hornet"},"confidence":"high","entities":[{"name":"F-35 Lightning II","slug":"f-35-lightning-ii","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/f-35-lightning-ii","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/f-35-lightning-ii"},{"name":"F-18 Super Hornet","slug":"f-18-super-hornet","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/f-18-super-hornet","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/f-18-super-hornet"}],"faqs":[{"question":"Can an F-18 Super Hornet defeat an F-35 in combat?","answer":"In direct visual-range dogfighting, the F-18's superior maneuverability and speed (Mach 1.9 vs Mach 1.6) provide advantages. However, modern air combat rarely reaches visual range. The F-35's stealth allows it to detect and engage F-18s from 200+ miles away while remaining invisible, making traditional dogfights tactically irrelevant. The F-35 pilot would control the engagement envelope entirely."},{"question":"Why is the F-35 twice as expensive as the F-18?","answer":"The F-35's $130-140 million cost reflects fifth-generation technology including stealth materials, sensor fusion systems, and advanced avionics. The F-18's $65-70 million cost represents proven fourth-generation design with mature supply chains. Development costs ($1.7 trillion F-35 program vs $60 billion F-18 program) also factor into per-unit pricing. Initial F-35 costs are amortizing over 50+ year service life."},{"question":"Which fighter has logged more combat experience?","answer":"The F-18 Super Hornet has accumulated 100,000+ combat sorties since 1995 across Gulf War, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria operations. The F-35 has logged approximately 2,500 combat sorties since 2018 in Iraq and Syria. The F-18's three-decade operational history provides significantly greater real-world combat validation."}],"attribution":{"source":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/f35-vs-f18","license":"CC BY 4.0","citationFormat":"According to A Versus B (https://www.aversusb.net/compare/f35-vs-f18), The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for 2020s-era threats with advanced sensors and multi-role capability, while the F-18 is a proven fourth-generation fighter optimized for speed,","dateModified":"2026-06-23T02:33:34.511Z"},"relatedQuestionsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/faq/f35-vs-f18","relatedComparisonsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/related/f35-vs-f18","knowledgeGraphUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/knowledge-graph/f35-vs-f18","claimReviewSchema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ClaimReview","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/f35-vs-f18#claimreview","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/f35-vs-f18","inLanguage":"en-US","isAccessibleForFree":true,"conditionsOfAccess":"Free","claimReviewed":"F-35 Lightning II vs F-18 Super Hornet","reviewBody":"The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for 2020s-era threats with advanced sensors and multi-role capability, while the F-18 is a proven fourth-generation fighter optimized for speed, maneuverability, and carrier operations. The F-35 costs 3x more per unit but offers superior stealth and sensor fusion; the F-18 remains faster and more combat-proven.","datePublished":"2026-06-23T02:33:34.185Z","dateModified":"2026-06-23T02:33:34.511Z","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5,"alternateName":"High Confidence"},"author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net"},"itemReviewed":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/f35-vs-f18","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/f35-vs-f18","name":"F-35 Lightning II vs F-18 Super Hornet","inLanguage":"en-US"}}}