{"slug":"f35-vs-f18)","question":"F-35 Lightning II vs F/A-18 Super Hornet","answer":"The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter with advanced sensor fusion and lower radar cross-section, while the F/A-18 Super Hornet is a proven fourth-generation multi-role fighter with superior maneuverability and faster time-to-combat. The F-35 represents future air superiority through stealth and networking, whereas the F/A-18 excels in immediate combat performance and operational flexibility.","answer_curated":true,"verdict":"Choose the F-35 if air superiority through stealth, sensor dominance, and networked warfare is the priority—it's designed to detect and engage enemies before being detected itself. Choose the F/A-18 Super Hornet if proven reliability, immediate combat readiness, superior dogfight maneuverability, and cost-effectiveness are critical, or for air forces needing operational aircraft now with established maintenance infrastructure. The F-35 is the future; the F/A-18 remains the trusted present.","keyDifferences":[{"label":"Radar Cross-Section (Stealth)","winner":"a","entityAValue":"0.001 m² (frontal RCS)","entityBValue":"1.0 m² (frontal RCS)"},{"label":"Maximum Speed","winner":"b","entityAValue":"Mach 1.6+ (1,190 mph)","entityBValue":"Mach 1.9+ (1,190 mph)"},{"label":"Combat Range (with internal fuel)","winner":"a","entityAValue":"1,200 nautical miles","entityBValue":"400 nautical miles"},{"label":"Unit Cost (2024)","winner":"b","entityAValue":"$131 million per aircraft","entityBValue":"$67 million per aircraft"},{"label":"Sensor Fusion Capability","winner":"a","entityAValue":"Integrated DAS with 360° coverage","entityBValue":"Traditional radar + FLIR pod"}],"winner":{"slug":"f-35-lightning-ii","name":"F-35 Lightning II"},"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/A-18 Super Hornet","slug":"f-a-18-super-hornet","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/f-a-18-super-hornet","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/f-a-18-super-hornet"}],"faqs":[{"question":"Can an F/A-18 Super Hornet defeat an F-35 in a dogfight?","answer":"In a traditional dogfight, the F/A-18 has superior maneuverability (6.5°/sec vs 5.5°/sec turn rate) and speed (Mach 1.9 vs Mach 1.6). However, the F-35's advanced sensor fusion and distributed aperture system would allow it to detect and engage the F/A-18 at 100+ km away, likely before the Super Hornet even knows it's being targeted. In modern air combat, the F-35's stealth and sensor advantage would likely prevent a dogfight scenario from ever occurring."},{"question":"Why does the F-35 cost twice as much as the F/A-18?","answer":"The F-35's unit cost of $131 million vs the F/A-18's $67 million reflects major differences: advanced stealth coatings and airframe design, 14+ integrated sensors vs traditional radar, AI-assisted targeting systems, software development and cybersecurity, multinational program overhead, and smaller production volumes (higher per-unit cost). The F/A-18 benefits from a 20+ year production run with amortized development costs."},{"question":"Is the F-35 ready for combat operations?","answer":"Yes, the F-35 has been in operational service since 2015 (USMC) and 2016 (USAF) and has completed combat missions in Iraq, Syria, and against Chinese incursions. However, it continues addressing deficiencies documented by the Pentagon, including certain dogfight performance limitations and maintenance bottlenecks. As of 2026, it remains operational but continues software and hardware refinements."}],"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 with advanced sensor fusion and lower radar cross-section, while the F/A-18 Super Hornet is a proven fourth-generation multi-role fighter with superior m","dateModified":"2026-07-08T22:34:50.178Z"},"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/A-18 Super Hornet","reviewBody":"The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter with advanced sensor fusion and lower radar cross-section, while the F/A-18 Super Hornet is a proven fourth-generation multi-role fighter with superior maneuverability and faster time-to-combat. The F-35 represents future air superiority through stealth and networking, whereas the F/A-18 excels in immediate combat performance and operational flexibility.","datePublished":"2026-07-08T22:34:49.118Z","dateModified":"2026-07-08T22:34:50.178Z","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/A-18 Super Hornet","inLanguage":"en-US"}}}