DEVELOPMENT:
Both, fulcrum and hornet, are purely carrier based naval fighters. Mig-29K is developed from land based Mig-29M whereas F/A-18E/F is purely a carrier based design from origin. Both are designed around 1980. The rapid and far-sighted modernization program of US NAVY is what keeps Hornet a formidable fighter plane over the sea. Similarly Mig-29K also rule the sky over Indian ocean being the only Naval fighter aircraft apart from Su-33K in that region.
DESIGN:
Both of these fighters have seen drastic change from their previous variants. Mig-29K’s airframe is strengthened to withstand the stress of landing on a carrier. Its wing span is increased for STOL, folded wings, catapult attachments and arrestor hooks are attached. Undercarriage is also widened.
So as Super hornet’s capability is increased by reviving its airframe. The intakes are chaged to rectangular shape from oval to reduce the RCS and better airflow to the engines. Airframe is lengthened to carry more internal fuel. Wing length is increased to carry 2 extra hardpoints. The improved fuselage increases the AoA. But I’ll say still fulcrum is a bit more maneuverble than the Super hornet. Because the Fulcrum has a better thrust-to-weight ratio i.e 0.97 than the hornet’s 0.93. So it is obvious that Fulcrum has a better climb rate than hornet and it can position itself quickly into a more maneuverble position than hornet in a combat game.
