Players diving into Ace Combat 8 and Ace Combat Online might have noticed that the F/A-18C Hornet is one of the top picks among pro players. That's because it has a solid mixture of speed and maneuverability, plus the special weapons needed to cause a huge impact in every mission.

The F/A-18C is a multirole fighter that comes with the 'Ace' position when players start the Campaign Mode, so it is basically your starter plane. Able to execute post-stall maneuvers, it is very versatile and has decent durability; plus, it comes with some of the most potent armament in the game. Not too shabby for one of the lowest tiers of twin-engine planes. Learn how to build it to the upmost of its capacities with this guide.

Ace Combat 8 marks another pleasant surprise for 2026, and is one of the most thrilling, sharply designed action games in years.

The F/A-18C Hornet is a multirole plane able to withstand considerable punishment, with decent speed, maneuverability, stability, air-to-air power, and air-to-ground power. So, it is basically the jack-of-all-trades of your starter aircraft.

The Hornet is an improved version of the early F/A-18 carrier-based attack model. It features improved engine thrust and enhanced radar abilities. It is able to operate a wide array of air-to-air missiles, as well as anti-ground and anti-ship weaponry.

Its main weapons are a basic autocannon (nose-mounted gun) and a guided Missile System (Basic Missiles), and it has two slots for Special Weapons (like most aircraft):

Source link