A-7E Vs F/A-18C

[kimono1950]

I have heard the A-7E had a better fitted for close air support than the F/A-18C.

Is that true ?

[sandiego89]

As with most of these threads it depends on your definition of "better". The A-7 could carry more ordinance than the F-18, could carry a very wide array of guided and unguided ordinance, had 6 wing stores stations, could carry more fuel for good loiter time and was excellent/stable in the dive- all good things for close air support.

On the negatives it was slow and single engine, so argubly more vulnerable, and by the time the F-18 matured into the C the A-7 was showing it's age airframe and avionics wise, and was not-multi role as the F/A-18.

[kimono1950]

I know the A-7E was a better close support aircraft than the F/A-18A.

Is it still the same compared to the Charlie ?

[GreenKnight121]

I'd rate the all models of the Hornet as better ground-attack aircraft than any model of the Corsair II, and here's why:

1. The AN/APG-65 of the F/A-18A already had better air-ground functions than the AN/APQ-126 radar of the A-7D/E, and these were improved in the AN/APG-73 of the F/A-18C (and from 1992 in the A+ upgrade). Even with "dumb" unguided bombs, the Hornet hits at least as accurately as the Corsair II, and usually more accurately.

2. From the start the F/A-18 used the Texas Instruments/Ford AN/AAS-38 FLIR (carried on the port fuselage Sparrow mount, thus not reducing the A-G weapons load at all), which from the start had better resolution, temperature detection, and magnification than the Texas Instruments AN/AAR-45 FLIR of the A-7E (entered service in 1979, and carried on the inboard starboard underwing weapons pylon, reducing the weapons load).

3. While neither of these had any laser capability whatsoever, the F/A-18A had the Martin-Marietta AN/ASQ-173 laser spot tracker/strike camera which was carried on the starboard fuselage Sparrow mount, allowing the Hornet to use LGBs with the target designated by another aircraft or a ground FAC - while the A-7E never got any LGB capability at all. The A-7E was qualified to carry them, but utilizing the precision capability was a matter of luck at best, without any means of ensuring the guidance kit locked onto a target designated by another aircraft or a ground FAC.
The USAF's A-7D carried the Lockheed Martin AN/AAS-35 Pave Penny laser spot tracker (but not a FLIR), but the USN's A-7E never received this.

In 1989 (concurrent with the entry into service of the F/A-18C) deliveries of the AN/AAS-38A began (completed in 1993) - this included a laser spot tracker and laser designator, allowing the Hornet to use LGBs in all modes and operational profiles, including self-designation.

The USMC has started using the Northrop Grumman/Rafael Advanced Defence Systems AN/AAQ-28 LITENING targeting pod instead of the AN/AAS-38A/B and AN/AAR-50

4. The F/A-18C replaced the AN/ASQ-173 with the AN/AAR-50 thermal navigation pod, giving the Hornet a equal night/bad weather navigation capability to the A-7E.

The USMC has started using the Northrop Grumman/Rafael Advanced Defence Systems AN/AAQ-28 LITENING targeting pod instead of the AN/AAS-38A/B and AN/AAR-50 on its F/A-18C/Ds, giving even better target detection/tracking/designation and navigation capabilities (at the cost of using the underfuselage weapons station, but this frees the fuselage-side stations for other weapons).

5. The F/A-18A/C is qualified with every weapon the A-7E was (except those removed from service) and many more the Corsair II never was.

6. Two engines - this provided increased survivability vs combat damage than the A-7E's single engine.

7. Better self-defense capabilities (actual air-air radar modes, etc), as well as better defensive electronics systems. The A-7E's pair of AIM-9 Sidewinders had no radar cuing against enemy aircraft, they were aimed just like those on F-86s in the late 1950s. The Hornet can "spoof" enemy radar and IR systems far more efficiently than the Corsair II ever could.

8. It turns into a supersonic fighter aircraft as soon as the air-ground weapons are dropped. This means that the first on target can then help cover the rest of the strike package, as well as having a better chance of surviving the mission themselves. Fewer losses mean more combat capability later on.



Here are the only advantages the A-7E had over the F/A-18A/C:

1. Range. The Corsair II definitely had a longer range on internal fuel than any Hornet.

2. Max external ordnance/fuel loads*:
A-7E 15,000 lbs
F/A-18A/C 13,700 lbs (more of which was normally external fuel than with the A-7E.)


* Even with the need to carry more external fuel, in actual use the maximum external load capacity is seldom used by Hornets, as LGBs and other precision weapons means that the days of carrying a lot of bombs is past - the Corsair II had to carry a lot of bombs to ensure some damaged the target, while the Hornet is usually "1 bomb per target".