What is the reported usage of composite materials for the F/A-18?

What is the reported usage of composite materials for the F/A-18?

• A. 75% of surface area; 26% of structural weight
• B. 10% of surface area
• C. 25% of surface area
• D. 50% of surface area (wings, stabilizers, flight control surfaces)

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is how extensively composites are used on the F/A-18, measured by the share of the aircraft’s surface area that is made from composite materials and where these composites are applied. The widely cited figure is that about half of the airframe’s external surface area—specifically the wings, stabilizers, and flight-control surfaces—is constructed from composite materials. This reflects a design choice to gain weight savings and higher stiffness in the primary surfaces that endure the most load, while still using traditional metals in other areas. Think of it as focusing on the surfaces that interact most with aerodynamics and control: wings and tail surfaces, along with the control surfaces themselves. The other options suggest much smaller or much larger surface-area usage or mix surface area with different metrics, which doesn’t align with the common reporting for the F/A-18’s composite implementation.

The main idea here is how extensively composites are used on the F/A-18, measured by the share of the aircraft’s surface area that is made from composite materials and where these composites are applied. The widely cited figure is that about half of the airframe’s external surface area—specifically the wings, stabilizers, and flight-control surfaces—is constructed from composite materials. This reflects a design choice to gain weight savings and higher stiffness in the primary surfaces that endure the most load, while still using traditional metals in other areas.

Think of it as focusing on the surfaces that interact most with aerodynamics and control: wings and tail surfaces, along with the control surfaces themselves. The other options suggest much smaller or much larger surface-area usage or mix surface area with different metrics, which doesn’t align with the common reporting for the F/A-18’s composite implementation.