Introduced initially as the Hornet, the F-18 serves in the United States Navy ... Leading Edge Extensions or LEX, reinforced landing gear for carrier operations, and wingtip missile racks.

A hook may seem like a strange component on a fighter jet, but it has a widely important job to keep pilots safe while landing on aircraft carriers.

The aircraft's twin turbofan engines produce an astonishing 44,000 pound-feet of thrust with afterburners engaged, propelling the F/A-18 to a top speed of about Mach 1.6. Super Hornets can carry ...