NO!!!
The US Navy was a small participant on the LWF program. In August 1974, Congress directed the Navy to make maximum use of the technology and hardware of the LWF for its new lightweight strike fighter, the VFAX.[citation needed] As neither contractor had experience with naval fighters, they sought partners to provide that expertise. General Dynamics teamed with LTV Aerospace; Northrop with McDonnell Douglas. Each submitted revised designs in line with the Navy needs for a long-range radar and multirole capabilities.[1]
F/A-18 origins
Through Northrop was expected to be the winner based on its years of light fighter experience and the maturity and extensive history of the P530 design, the Air Force, selected the YF-16 in January 1975. The YF-16 was slightly faster and used a common engine with the Air Force's F-15 Eagle. The Navy did not believe the YF-16's single engine and narrow landing gear were suitable or easily adapted to carrier operations, and refused to adopt the design. In May 1975, the Navy secured approval to develop its own aircraft based on the YF-17. As this now became a purely naval project, the Navy designated McDonnell Douglas the prime contractor. As the Navy requirements were quite different from the Air Force's, the aircraft was significantly modified; the resulting F/A-18 would share no dimensions or structures with the YF-17 demonstrators.
Specifications (YF-17 Cobra)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
Performance
- Thrust/weight: 1.25
Armament
- Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan gatling gun
- Missiles: 2× AIM-9 Sidewinder
References
- Miller, Jay. McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (Aerofax Mingraph 25). Arlington, Texas: Aerofax, Inc., 1986. ISBN 0-942546-39-6.
External links
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