| Navy Air Combat Fighter | |
|---|---|
| |
| First preproduction F-18A in October 1978 | |
| Project for | Light fighter |
| Issued by | United States Navy |
| Proposals | Vought Model 1600 |
| Outcome | McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet |
| Predecessor programs | VFAX |
| Successor programs | Joint Strike Fighter program |
The Navy Air Combat Fighter was a program
The second VFAX evolved when the VFX proved too costly to replace all existing USN fighters and attack aircraft, and the Navy was invited to take part in the USAFs Lightweight Fighter Program (LWF). The Navy chose the YF-17, the loser of the LWF contest as its Navy Air Combat Fighter, as it was inherently more suitable to naval operations than the winning General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon; it was redesigned to become the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet.