Boeing's "Silent Version Of bumblebee", the main improvements are: 1. the installation of two plastic fuel tanks with a total capacity of 1,590 kg (3,500 lbs) on the back of the aircraft, and 2. the addition of replacements

Boeing's "Silent Version of Bumblebee", the main improvements are: 1. install two conformal fuel tanks with a total capacity of 1,590 kg (3,500 lbs) on the back of the aircraft, 2. Replace the enhanced thrust F-414 engine to improve the maneuverability of the aircraft, and 3. The fuselage is equipped with a spherical omnidirectional missile laser defense warning system on the back to enhance the protection. 4. The fuselage is coated with stealth paint, and the middle line and both wings can be equipped with a stealth-designed capsule weapon compartment to enhance the stealth ability, and the stealth ability of the "Silent Hornet" is reported to be 50% higher than that of the "Super Hornet". 5. The lower part of the nose is equipped with the same multi-functional infrared aiming and tracking system as the F-35. 6. Replace the new generation of cockpit and helmet display system to make it easier to control the aircraft.

With the introduction of conformal fuel tanks, the aircraft's combat range has increased by 241 kilometers, and the total range has exceeded 3500 kilometers. A single capsule can accommodate four AIM-120 AMRAAM for air-to-air missions, one 454 kg JDAM and two AIM-120s for self-defense, or six small-diameter bombs (113 kg each) and two AIM-120s for air-to-ground missions.

The maximum takeoff weight of the F-18 after the upgrade will be close to 34 tons, which will catch up with the F-14 and its tie to become the heaviest carrier-based fighter in the history of the US military (picture from the network invasion and deletion)