The FA-18 carrier based all-weather multi-role combat aircraft was developed on behalf of the US Navy & the US Marine Corps to deploy from aircraft carriers of the Nimitz class It should have the ability to combat land sea & air targets over long ranges Flight testing of the enhanced FA-18C version began on 3 September 1986 Since 1986 the FA-18 was involved in all major military operations concerning the United States The aircraft&s missions include securing air superiority reconnaissance airspace surveillance & air-to-ground attack