Why is an F-18 built for an aircraft carrier?

Question

Why is an F-18 built for an aircraft carrier?

Answer 1

Not enough information for a question.

F-18 is heavier because of the suspension is heavier because the reinforcements needed to stop on a carrier.  But, they were made to accommodate.

Answer 2

when the airforce put out a specification fro a new light weight fighter to compliment the F15, there were two contenders, the YF16 and the YF17. both were excellent aircraft, but the airforce picked the YF16 as its new fighter for two reasons;

1: general dynamics could start production as soon as the contract was signed, where as northrop would have to wait until F5 production ended.

2: general dynamics had made it possible to build F16's oversea's for sale to our allies as well.

did this mean the YF17 was not a good aircraft? no, in fact far from it. the navy was looking for a twin engined aircraft to perform the same role the F16 does for the airforce, but in a carrier environment. since the YF17 was designed as a twin engined aircraft, gruman bought the YF17 from northrop, and developed it into the F18 that we all know and love today. it is heavier than the YF17, but not enough to affect performance.

but as stated by others, it was built to a navy contract specification, and thus is used primarily by the navy and marines, though there are a few airforces that also use the F18 as a front line fighter, canada being one that has them in their inventory.

Answer 3

It is a NAVY aircraft. Need I say more?

Regards,

Dan

Answer 4

so it can land

Answer 5

F-18 have certain abilities and features in the jet that suit it for take offs and landings on Aircraft carriers. For example redundant engine design...one goes out the other can bring you home. another being the bulky, large landing gear designed to take you slamming the jet down on the #3 wire at 150 knts. also the ability to carry sea capable missiles/bombs i.e. ship/submarine killers. Happy now? lol jk

Answer 6

It's not a "why?" kind of thing.  That was the specified capability.

Answer 7

because it's beast

Answer 8

Because its what was ordered by the Navy in 1974, as per the Navy Air Combat Fighter (NACF) competition. The design won the contract and was put into production.

Answer 9

because the American government put it in a contract tasked to the company to build the plane.

its like asking why does f-22 have a stealth technology same answer. it comes down to what the government wants its army to have. two companies will fight for a contract and the best one wins and builds loads and gets payed big money till that plane is blacklisted.

Answer 10

It is a naval aircraft.  Most of the launches and recoveries are from carriers.  That is major part of the Navy's function in war.