F-35 vs F/A-18 Super Hornet 2026
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.
F-35 Lightning II
Fifth-generation stealth multi-role fighter with advanced sensor fusion and network-centric warfare capabilities.
Air forces prioritizing long-term strategic dominance, network-centric operations, and next-generation warfare; allied nations requiring interoperability with U.S. air defense systems.
F/A-18 Super Hornet
Proven fourth-generation multi-role fighter combining exceptional maneuverability, speed, and reliability with lower acquisition costs.
Established air forces needing immediate combat capability, nations prioritizing cost-efficiency, and operations where maneuverability and speed are tactically critical; ideal for force multiplication in conventional warfare.
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe 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.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose 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.
Was this verdict helpful?
TIE — neck and neck
Choose F-35 Lightning II if
Air forces prioritizing long-term strategic dominance, network-centric operations, and next-generation warfare; allied nations requiring interoperability with U.S. air defense systems.
Choose F/A-18 Super Hornet if
Established air forces needing immediate combat capability, nations prioritizing cost-efficiency, and operations where maneuverability and speed are tactically critical; ideal for force multiplication in conventional warfare.
Track this comparison
Get notified when prices change, new specs ship, or our verdict updates.
Triggers: price change new spec verdict update
No spam. Stop anytime.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Radar Cross-Section (Stealth):✓ F-35 Lightning II wins(0.001 m² (frontal RCS) vs 1.0 m² (frontal RCS))
- Maximum Speed:✓ F/A-18 Super Hornet wins(Mach 1.9+ (1,190 mph) vs Mach 1.6+ (1,190 mph))
- Combat Range (with internal fuel):✓ F-35 Lightning II wins(1,200 nautical miles vs 400 nautical miles)
Key Facts & Figures
35 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | F-35 Lightning II | F/A-18 Super Hornet | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combat Radius(nautical miles) | 717 nm | — | — |
| Flyaway Cost(USD millions) | $131 million | — | — |
| Maximum G-Force(g) | 9g | — | — |
| Radar Range (Detection)(nautical miles) | 150+ nm (passive targeting) | — | — |
| Operational Readiness Rate(percent) | 56% | — | — |
| Unit Flyaway Cost(USD millions) | $130-140 million | — | — |
| Combat Sorties (Total History)(sorties) | ~2,500 sorties (2018-2024) | — | — |
| Operational Service Years(years) | 8 years in combat operations (2018-2026) | — | — |
| First-Look Combat Range Advantage(miles) | 200+ mile detection while remaining undetected | — | — |
| International Operators(nations) | 19 nations | — | — |
| Unit Acquisition Cost(USD millions) | $165-170M | — | — |
| Combat Radius (no refueling)(kilometers) | 920 km | — | — |
| Radar Cross-Section(m²) | <0.001 m² (stealth design) | — | — |
| Internal Weapon Capacity(lbs) | 18,250 lbs | — | — |
| Operational Countries(number of nations) | 13 nations | — | — |
| Service Entry Year(year) | 2015 (U.S. IOC) | — | — |
| Annual Operating Cost Per Aircraft(USD millions) | $9.2 million | — | — |
| Combat Radius (internal fuel)(nautical miles) | 1,200 nm | 400 nm | |
| Operational Nations (2024)(countries) | 15 nations | — | — |
| Life-Cycle Program Cost(USD trillions) | $1.7 trillion | — | — |
| Internal Weapons Capacity(pounds) | 5,700 lbs | — | — |
| Maximum Speed(Mach) | Mach 1.6+ | Mach 1.9+ | |
| Service Ceiling(feet) | 60,000 ft | — | — |
| Unit Cost (2024)(USD million) | $131 million | $67 million | |
| Operating Cost per Flight Hour(USD thousands) | $25,000 | — | — |
| Total Planned Production(aircraft) | 2,456 units (projected) | — | — |
| Operational Variants(count) | 3 (conventional, carrier, STOVL) | — | — |
| Radar Cross Section (RCS)(m² (square meters)) | 0.001 m² (frontal aspect) | — | — |
| Combat Deployments (Confirmed)(number of operations) | 2 (limited combat ops) | — | — |
| Maximum Turn Rate(g-force (gravitational force)) | 5.5 g average | — | — |
| Radar Cross-Section (Frontal)(m²) | 0.001 m² | 1.0 m² | |
| Sustained Turn Rate(degrees/second) | 5.5°/sec | 6.5°/sec | |
| Operational Service Entry (USAF/USMC)(year) | 2015-2016 | 2001 | |
| Sensor Types Integrated(count) | 14+ integrated sensors with DAS | Radar + FLIR pod (separate systems) | |
| Detection Range (4G radar vs 5G stealth)(km advantage) | Detects F/A-18 at 150+ km; undetected until 15 km | Detects F-35 at 50-75 km with difficulty |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 0.001 m² (frontal RCS)(winner)Radar Cross-Section (Stealth)1.0 m² (frontal RCS)
- Mach 1.6+ (1,190 mph)Maximum SpeedMach 1.9+ (1,190 mph)(winner)
- 1,200 nautical miles(winner)Combat Range (with internal fuel)400 nautical miles
- $131 million per aircraftUnit Cost (2024)$67 million per aircraft(winner)
- Integrated DAS with 360° coverage(winner)Sensor Fusion CapabilityTraditional radar + FLIR pod
- 2015 (USMC), 2016 (USAF)Operational Service Entry2001(winner)
- 5.5 degrees per secondTurn Rate (sustained)6.5 degrees per second(winner)
- Radar Cross-Section (Stealth)
F-35 Lightning II
0.001 m² (frontal RCS)(winner)
F/A-18 Super Hornet
1.0 m² (frontal RCS)
- Maximum Speed
F-35 Lightning II
Mach 1.6+ (1,190 mph)
F/A-18 Super Hornet
Mach 1.9+ (1,190 mph)(winner)
- Combat Range (with internal fuel)
F-35 Lightning II
1,200 nautical miles(winner)
F/A-18 Super Hornet
400 nautical miles
- Unit Cost (2024)
F-35 Lightning II
$131 million per aircraft
F/A-18 Super Hornet
$67 million per aircraft(winner)
- Sensor Fusion Capability
F-35 Lightning II
Integrated DAS with 360° coverage(winner)
F/A-18 Super Hornet
Traditional radar + FLIR pod
- Operational Service Entry
F-35 Lightning II
2015 (USMC), 2016 (USAF)
F/A-18 Super Hornet
2001(winner)
- Turn Rate (sustained)
F-35 Lightning II
5.5 degrees per second
F/A-18 Super Hornet
6.5 degrees per second(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | F-35 Lightning II | F/A-18 Super Hornet |
|---|---|---|
| Combat Radius(nautical miles) | 717 nm | — |
| Supercruise Speed(Mach) | Not capable | — |
| Combat Radius (no refueling)(kilometers) | 920 km | — |
| Maximum Speed(Mach) | Mach 1.6+ | Mach 1.9+(winner) |
| Service Ceiling(feet) | 60,000 ft | — |
| Flyaway Cost(USD millions) | $131 million | — |
| Maximum G-Force(g) | 9g | — |
| Maximum Turn Rate(g-force (gravitational force)) | 5.5 g average | — |
| Sustained Turn Rate(degrees/second) | 5.5°/sec | 6.5°/sec(winner) |
| Radar Range (Detection)(nautical miles) | 150+ nm (passive targeting) | — |
| Operational Readiness Rate(percent) | 56% | — |
| Unit Flyaway Cost(USD millions) | $130-140 million | — |
| Unit Acquisition Cost(USD millions) | $165-170M | — |
| Annual Operating Cost Per Aircraft(USD millions) | $9.2 million | — |
| Life-Cycle Program Cost(USD trillions) | $1.7 trillion | — |
| Unit Cost (2024)(USD million) | $131 million | $67 million(winner) |
Show 1 more attributeOperating Cost per Flight Hour(USD thousands) $25,000 — | ||
| Combat Sorties (Total History)(sorties) | ~2,500 sorties (2018-2024) | — |
| Sensor Fusion Architecture(null) | Integrated DAS with real-time sensor fusion & AI processing | — |
| Operational Service Years(years) | 8 years in combat operations (2018-2026) | — |
| Operational Service Entry (USAF/USMC)(year) | 2015-2016 | 2001(winner) |
| First-Look Combat Range Advantage(miles) | 200+ mile detection while remaining undetected | — |
| International Operators(nations) | 19 nations | — |
| Operational Countries(number of nations) | 13 nations | — |
| Radar Cross-Section(m²) | <0.001 m² (stealth design) | — |
| Internal Weapon Capacity(lbs) | 18,250 lbs | — |
| Internal Weapons Capacity(pounds) | 5,700 lbs | — |
| Service Entry Year(year) | 2015 (U.S. IOC) | — |
| Combat Radius (internal fuel)(nautical miles) | 1,200 nm(winner) | 400 nm |
| Primary Radar System | AN/APG-81 AESA (1,500+ antenna elements) | — |
| Operational Nations (2024)(countries) | 15 nations | — |
| Total Planned Production(aircraft) | 2,456 units (projected) | — |
| Operational Variants(count) | 3 (conventional, carrier, STOVL) | — |
| Radar Cross Section (RCS)(m² (square meters)) | 0.001 m² (frontal aspect) | — |
| Combat Deployments (Confirmed)(number of operations) | 2 (limited combat ops) | — |
| Sensor Fusion System(coverage degrees) | 360° DAS (Distributed Aperture System) passive | — |
| Radar Cross-Section (Frontal)(m²) | 0.001 m²(winner) | 1.0 m² |
| Sensor Types Integrated(count) | 14+ integrated sensors with DAS(winner) | Radar + FLIR pod (separate systems) |
| Detection Range (4G radar vs 5G stealth)(km advantage) | Detects F/A-18 at 150+ km; undetected until 15 km(winner) | Detects F-35 at 50-75 km with difficulty |
F-35 Lightning IIF/A-18 Super HornetShow 1 more attribute
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
F-35 Lightning II
Pros
- Extreme stealth capability with 0.001 m² radar cross-section provides decisive first-strike advantage
- Distributed Aperture System (DAS) provides 360° situational awareness and fuses data from 14+ sensors
- 1,200+ nautical mile combat range enables global operations with minimal refueling
- Advanced AI-assisted targeting and threat detection reduce pilot workload
- Multi-national integration allows allied pilots and systems to share real-time data
Cons
- Extremely high development and unit costs ($131M per aircraft) limit procurement quantities
- Complex maintenance requirements and sustained technical issues (pilot canopy quality, software stability) extend downtime
- Speed limited to Mach 1.6+ in supersonic dash, 25% slower than F/A-18 Super Hornet
F/A-18 Super Hornet
Pros
- Proven operational record with 20+ years of combat deployment across Iraq, Afghanistan, and Middle East
- Superior sustained turn rate of 6.5°/sec and Mach 1.9+ speed enable dominant dogfight performance
- 50% lower unit cost ($67M) and mature supply chain reduce lifetime operating expenses
- Shorter maintenance intervals and larger established pilot training infrastructure ensure rapid readiness
- Dual-engine redundancy and robust airframe design provide superior survivability in contested airspace
Cons
- Radar cross-section of 1.0 m² makes it detectable at 2-3x greater distance than F-35, reducing first-strike advantage
- 400 nautical mile combat radius requires significantly more tanker support for extended operations
- Fourth-generation architecture lacks integrated sensor fusion; relies on separate radar and FLIR pod systems
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
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.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more about our affiliate disclosure
Wikipedia
- W
F-35 Lightning II on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Fifth-generation stealth multi-role fighter with advanced sensor fusion and network-centric warfare capabilities.
- W
F/A-18 Super Hornet on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Proven fourth-generation multi-role fighter combining exceptional maneuverability, speed, and reliability with lower acquisition costs.
Related Comparisons
12 more to explore
F-35 Lightning II vs Rafale
militaryF-35 Lightning II vs Dassault Rafale
militaryF-35 Lightning II vs F-18 Super Hornet
militaryF-35 Lightning II vs F-22 Raptor
militaryF-35 Lightning II vs F-22 Raptor
militaryF-35 Lightning II vs Dassault Rafale
militaryUS Military vs China Military
militaryUSA vs China
countriesWorld War 1 vs World War 2: Causes, Deaths & Key Differences
historyUS Navy vs US Army
militaryUS Marines vs US Army
militaryAir Force vs Navy
military
Explore More
Related comparisons and categories