F/A-18 Hornet Strike Test Aircraft - U.S. Navy VX-23 Squadron #3587408 (License: Personal Use)

The aircraft is an F/A-18C Hornet operated by VX-23, the U.S. Navy’s premier airborne weapons test squadron based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. It features distinctive tail markings-including black-and-white striped rudder, “121” tail number, and “SD” insignia-and is armed with an AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared missile and an AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile under its wing pylons. The cockpit shows two crew members, indicating a dual-seat variant used for complex test missions.

Used on defense technology websites, military aviation blogs, or official Navy pages to illustrate weapons testing, squadron operations, or aircraft capabilities. Matches user intent for researching naval aviation, fighter jet specs, or VX-23’s mission profile.