pThe US-designed and built McDonnell Douglas FA-18 Hornet is one of the most important Fourth Generation fighters in the world. Its twin-engine, twin-tails canted outwards, and leading edge root extensions make it one of the most recognizable fighters in operation. p The latest version is the enlarged Super Hornet. It was controversial in being chosen as the replacement for the much loved F-14 Tomcat, but the truth is that it is a potent and fearsome fighter that boasts one of the most capable radars in service and a weapons loadout that takes full advantage of it. The Super Hornet currently performs the bulk of the Western world's airstrikes on the nefarious terrorist group 'ISIS' in Iraq and Syria. p Developed initially by Northrop as the P-530 Cobra in response to the US Air Force's Light Weight Fighter competition winner the General Dynamics F-16, the Hornet had a troubled start in life. Designated the YF-17 for the LWF fly-off in 1974, it failed to impress the Air Force. p However