Aircraft comparison
F/A-18 Hornet vs F-14 Tomcat
Compare the specifications that meaningfully distinguish these two aircraft.
F/A-18 Hornet
F-14 Tomcat
Manufacturer
McDonnell Douglas / Northrop
Grumman
Role / type
Carrier-capable multirole fighter
Carrier-based interceptor / fighter
First flight
November 18, 1978
December 21, 1970
Engines
2 × afterburning turbofans
2 × afterburning turbofans
Crew
1 or 2
2
Cruise speed
About 660 mph (1,060 km/h)
About 610 mph (982 km/h)
Maximum speed
Mach 1.8
Mach 2.34
Range
Combat radius about 400 nmi; ferry range about 1,800 nmi
Combat radius about 500 nmi; ferry range about 1,600 nmi
Length
56 ft (17.07 m)
62 ft 9 in (19.1 m)
Wingspan
40 ft 4 in (12.3 m)
38 ft 2 in swept; 64 ft 1 in spread
Maximum takeoff weight
51,900 lb (23,541 kg)
74,350 lb (33,724 kg)
Production
1974–2000
1969–1991
Number built
1,480
712