The Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet is a twin-engine carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft- a more advanced derivative of the F/A-18C Hornet. The Super Hornet has an internal 20 mm gun and can carry air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface weapons. The Super Hornet first flew in 1995. Full-rate production began in September 1997, after the merger of McDonnell Douglas and Boeing the previous month.