F-16C Viper vs F/A - 18C hornet

377/5000

Hello. I need advice on choosing an aircraft. I choose between f-16 and fa-18. Personally, I have no experience with flying. I only flew on the k-50.

Personally, I don't prefer A / A very much, but rather A / G. From the videos I saw that more equipment on A / G has the F-16. Plus it should have a better radar and pilot's helmet.

Therefore, I want to ask what you would recommend me as a novice fa-18 or f-16

A2G, I'd say go with the hornet. It can carry a larger variety of munitions and will eventually be getting A2G radar. The pilot helmets are basically the same.

Have you considered the A-10C? It's slow but if you like AG it's your plane.

Load capacity is higher for whom? Does any aircraft have camera module for launching laser-guided bombs?

Have you considered the A-10C? It's slow but if you like AG it's your plane.

Yes but i whant same A/A mode and for A-10 is not good. But lot of mission is nice

Have you considered the A-10C? It's slow but if you like AG it's your plane.

For one particular class of A2G --- loitering / CAS in highly-permissive pre-sanitized environments with no air threats at all. On the other side of the spectrum, for deep strikes in extremely dangerous high-threat environments, you have the other specialist: Viggen. I consider both aircraft niche specalists, and in that sense limited.

The Hornet and Viper on the other hand certainly address a broader range of the spectrum spanning both ends. And handle air cover / enemy interceptors in the target area. Not to mention, probably the most fun type of AG --- wild weasel.

To the OP: personally, I don't bother with what is "better" any more. I just go with what I prefer. The emotional choice makes you want to investment the time and energy and yes, love, into learning the aircraft. And you will end up doing better in an aircraft you love rather than one that is is technically "better". This perspective actually makes even more sense with the F-16/F-18 issue because honestly, they are both very similar in terms of A2G capability. They just do things a bit differently (ergonomics, switchology, philosophy, and some details in type of weapon deliveries). Another difference in style: air-to-air refueling, boom vs drogue. The one thing the Hornet can do that the Viper cannot: operate off a boat!

You need to figure out what style you prefer. Or you can pick the aircraft whose looks or history appeals to you and make it's style your style! You cannot go wrong with either.

Apart from all that, you have to bear in mind the development stage --- the F/A-18 is generally mission capable right now. The F-16 is another from 1-6 months or more away. Not a big deal in the latter, as you can use the time to learn to fly that thing.

can you explain what the A2G radar is

Bear.......Well, sort of. The OP said it doesn't like A/A at all. Not sure how he could fly the F/A-18c and F-16 and not be in A/A fights. His mission could be to escort the HOg or go in and clean it up before the Hog gets there. Either way it's his job to protect the Hog so it can go in and do what the OP likes. A/G.

Bear.......Well, sort of. The OP said it doesn't like A/A at all. Not sure how he could fly the F/A-18c and F-16 and not be in A/A fights. His mission could be to escort the HOg or go in and clean it up before the Hog gets there. Either way it's his job to protect the Hog so it can go in and do what the OP likes. A/G.

More good what i say i dont whant one type mission a/g or a/a and this 2 aircraft make that

I have both, but I got the F-16 because I don't like carrier landings. But that's just me.

Both modules have a targeting pod for laser guided bombs (LGBs) and other funny stuff. Both will have the same abilities (more or less). Both can do A/A and A/G as both are molti role fighters.

And yes, if you want the capabilities now, go Hornet, as the Viper is still really early access. Not much is implemented yet.

To be honest, if you can wait, it is just personal preference. I always thought, the Hornet would be my plane, but I just like the cockpit of the Viper more. The layout and HOTAS just ticks all the boxes for me.

This might be different for you, so it's really hard to help you with your question. Both are great planes.

A ground radar maps the ground in front of the airplane and highlights structures and moving targets. Not very precise over land but very helpfull over the sea. Both will get it, sooner or later.

Edit: Both can load about the same amount of ordnance.

Hornet > Viper

I was just going over the pros and cons of the Hornet vs. the Viper with a friend yesterday.

Advantages of the Hornet over the Viper:

• Great nose authority & high-AoA maneuvering
  
• Can carry up to 12 AMRAAMs.
  
• Can carry the Harpoon anti-ship missile, the Walleye TV-guided missile, MK-83, AIM-7, Shrike (eventually), Sea Mines (eventually), Mk-77 Fire Bombs, SLAM and SLAM-ER (eventually).
  
• You can take off and land on a carrier.
  

Advantages of the Viper over the Hornet:

• CBU-97/105
  
• YIPEE-KI-YAY, MOTHERF***ER!!!!!!!!
  

In my opinion, "Y.K.Y..." advantage, encompassing the default 9G limiter, the bubble canopy in VR, the thrust-to-weight ratio, the small size of the aircraft, and all that, overwhelms all of the Hornet's advantages. :D

Naturally, your mileage may vary.

Hornet is more feature complete, so far. (in DCS)

Hornet has two engines.

Hornet can land on a boat.

Viper is slightly more agile, better thrust to weight ratio.

Viper Looks awesome.

Other than that they are very similar in capabilities.

Now, at full price, I would not recommend the Viper, still very feature incomplete.

The good news is that whatever you learn in one, regarding theory and tactics, will apply to the other. so its a good pair of aircrafts to have.

In my opinion, "Y.K.Y..." advantage, encompassing the default 9G limiter, the bubble canopy in VR, the thrust-to-weight ratio, the small size of the aircraft, and all that, overwhelms all of the Hornet's advantages. :D

.

For BFM. And contrived "dueling"/practice BFM at that (where you start off in WVR). And that's a maybe at best.

For everything else, it really is a wash.

The Hornet's radar (APG-73) is also more capable than the Viper's (APG-68v5). In general, the Hornet offers more in terms of avionics and sensor integration. This post explains some things nicely: https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=3801793&postcount=35

For BFM. And contrived "dueling"/practice BFM at that (where you start off in WVR). And that's a maybe at best.

 

For everything else, it really is a wash.

I managed to pancake a Hornet after a rocket run in the mountains in MP last weekend because I thought I could fly it like a Viper. So... not quite. But mainly I was just jokingly referring to the sheer joy of flying the plane.

Anyway, back to the original post: The A-10C, Viggen, Harrier, Hornet, Viper, and upcoming (before year-end?) JF-11 Thunder are all fixed-wing aircraft with strong multi-role or attack role capability, and have high system fidelity in DCS. It really comes down to preference / style.

I'd caution against getting the Viper *today* only because if you don't know what you are getting into (a very early release that will be changing substantially over the next few months), it might not be a great experience for you. Right now, it's really intended for the people who want to beta-test elements of it as they become available.

For everything else, it really is a wash.

I managed to pancake a Hornet after a rocket run in the mountains in MP last weekend because I thought I could fly it like a Viper. So... not quite.

"For everything else, it really is a wash, given, as with all discussion of aircraft effectiveness, reasonably competent pilots who know how to fly the aircraft to its particular strengths"

(Though the second bit could have been assumed, but I guess I should have spelled it out!)

Viper sounds better than Hornet. :)

Do you want a killer snake or a freaking bee?

Viper sounds better than Hornet. :)

 

Do you want a killer snake or a freaking bee?

But ... but ... 18 is bigger than 16!!!

j/k

The correct answer to all these "Which ..." questions is, of course, "F-14".

The answer is buy them both. We all did or will.

The answer is buy them both. We all did or will.

These words are true.

Bro, this its my personal experience BUT a friend askme the same question a few weeks ago, but the diffrent its hi was looking for a A/A aircarft to begin. ofcourse i said "F-16C its your module", BUT TODAY! if his ask me again i would recommend the HORNET.

TODAY THE HORNET MODULE its more completed making it, more less fustrate to fly than the viper.

If you enjoy the A/G, The F/A-18C its the trully Multirol Aircraft design to Presition attack, Close air support, ship attack, Supression of the enemy air defense and have a lot of Toys to A/G mission (more than the Viper today and in the development weapons list).

For the last, The hornet its a really easy to fly, have an easy avionics, clean and easy cockpit and multi integrated sensor in 3 displays. Very friendly to beginners.

The answer is buy them both. We all did or will.

Exactly.

Of course, at the moment the Hornet is further down the road in it's development. But the Viper will follow for sure, and there is plenty to practice (looking at you, Air-to-air refueling) so I don't feel that I'm wasting my time.

For me personally the Viper feels much more "sexy" than the Hornet. I just love that plane, so I'm only flying the Viper at the moment even though I have much more "complete" modules.

The Viper just rocks.

Exactly.

 

Of course, at the moment the Hornet is further down the road in it's development. But the Viper will follow for sure, and there is plenty to practice (looking at you, Air-to-air refueling) so I don't feel that I'm wasting my time.

 

For me personally the Viper feels much more "sexy" than the Hornet. I just love that plane, so I'm only flying the Viper at the moment even though I have much more "complete" modules.

 

The Viper just rocks.

I completely agree. My problem with the DCS Viper is its present state. I can fly a complete Viper in the other sim. So, it takes care of scratching the Viper itch for now. I'll buy the DCS viper in time but would rather wait until it's more complete. I still have the Hornet, A-10c, and P-51 to keep me busy.

Plus, fly fishing and hunting. :)

The answer is buy them both. We all did or will.

Nope. I ain’t buying jack from ED till the Hornet is finished.