McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet

The F/A-18 Hornet was unusual from the start because its very designation advertised a dual role: fighter and attack. Developed from the Northrop YF-17 lineage and adapted for carrier use, it gave the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps a compact, twin-engine aircraft able to fight in the air and strike targets on the ground.

Its success came from balance rather than excess. The Hornet was smaller than the F-14 and less specialised than dedicated attack aircraft, but it was flexible, reliable and carrier-suitable. It also became an important export aircraft, including service with the Royal Australian Air Force before the transition to newer types.