Northrop's YF-17 was the loseing design, in the race for a better smaller assult aircraft, hosted by the USAF. McDonnel Douglas and Northrop teamed up to make the YF-17 a better aircraft. It was enlarged, refined, and fitted with the latest electronic technologies. Soon redesignated as the YF-18, which first flew late in 1979, the aircraft was accepted by the Navy. Originally there were two designs, the F-18 and the A-18, but it was soon realized that the mission programs and the shape-design was close enough that it could be one aircraft. McDonnel Douglas forsaw the production and leadership, and in 1983, the airplane was in active service in the US Navy. The original Hornet the F/A-18A is still in active service is out of production, but with better fitted electronic systems, the F/A-18B two-seater, the F/A-18C with more tech-points, and the F/A-18D is specially equipt for the night-time combat role, have become more abundant. The F/A-18C and D entered service in October of 1989. This craft can also be seen in airshows as the Blue Angels. Also rarely seen or known is the RF-18 reconnaissance aircraft, entered service in early 1994.
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