F/A-18 in Red sea anticipates Houthis confrontation take off full Air-to Air configuration.

F/A-18E Super Hornets was spotted carrying 9 air-to-air missiles to counter Houthi drones in the Red Sea. This configuration speaks volumes about the type of mission being carried out by the F/A-18E Super Hornets in the Red Sea, where US Navy aircraft are often called upon to intercept Houthi drones.
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An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the "Gunslingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in the Red Sea, April 20 (Picture source: U.S. DoD )

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) has been stationed for months in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea operations, playing a significant role in countering Houthi attacks. In fact, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets deployed aboard the American aircraft carrier have been called upon several times since December 26, 2023, to counter drone attacks on maritime traffic in the region.

To mark the downing of kamikaze drones, at least one F/A-18E from VFA-131 "Wildcats" was adorned with kill marks, including those of two one-way attack drones, as seen in a photo taken on March 12, 2024. The focus on the air-to-air mission is clearly reaffirmed by new images recently released by the US Navy. In fact, some of the recent photos taken aboard the USS Eisenhower show an F/A-18E Super Hornet from VFA-105 "Gunslingers" and VFA-83 "Rampagers" carrying 9 air-to-air missiles: five AIM-120 AMRAAMs and four AIM-9 Sidewinders.

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the "Rampagers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83, is launched from the cockpit aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in the Red Sea, April 19. (Official US Navy Photo) The photos above were all taken between April 19 and 20, while the supercarrier was operating off the coast of Eritrea, before sailing to Suez to enter the Mediterranean on April 26, 2024. The USS Eisenhower made a stop in Souda Bay, Crete, before heading back to the Red Sea where it is currently operating.

Remarkably, the F/A-18E can carry a maximum load of 14 air-to-air missiles in a combination of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) AIM-120 and Short-Range AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. Yet, nine AAMs (air-to-air missiles) constitute a rather unusual configuration for US Navy Super Hornets, which typically carry a mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. Needless to say, specific equipment can vary depending on mission requirements.

When considering shooting down a drone, especially a small one that may be relatively inexpensive, the use of an air-to-air missile like the AIM-120 might be considered overkill due to the cost and capability of the weapon relative to the target.

Ultimately, the choice of weapon or method to counter a drone will depend on specific circumstances, including the type of drone, its capabilities, the operational environment, and the availability of resources. It is important to balance the effectiveness of the response with the cost and potential collateral damage associated with using certain weapons against low-cost small drones.