The Spanish Air Force operates a fleet of Boeing F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets, which were acquired in the 1980s as part of a modernization program. The Hornet is a twin-engine, supersonic fighter aircraft that was designed for both air-to-air and ground attack missions.
The Spanish Air Force has used the F/A-18 Hornet extensively in a variety of missions, including air defense, ground attack, and reconnaissance. The aircraft has been deployed in a number of international missions, including NATO-led operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Libya.
The Spanish Air Force operates both the F/A-18A and F/A-18B variants of the Hornet. The F/A-18A is a single-seat fighter jet that is primarily used for air-to-air missions, while the F/A-18B is a two-seat trainer variant that can also be used for ground attack missions.
The Hornet is equipped with advanced avionics and weapons systems, including radar, electronic warfare equipment, and a variety of missiles and bombs. The aircraft is known for its agility, speed, and maneuverability, making it well-suited for both air-to-air and ground attack missions.
The Spanish Air Force has announced plans to retire its F/A-18 Hornet fleet in the coming years and replace them with the newer Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. However, the F/A-18 Hornet remains an important asset for the Spanish Air Force and will continue to be used until it is eventually phased out.
Maciej "Szamal" Szamałek is an aviation photographer from Poland who specializes in air-to-air photography. For him, photography is a form of play, to express his aviation passion. It helps him to capture fleeting moments and allows him to preserve emotions, sorrows, joys, and memories. It's a constant pursuit to be in the right place at the right time.