USN F/A-18E or F

[Leviathan]

Out of interest because of the "upcoming" DCS F/A-18 modules, I looked up what model of this AC type are used by the USN strike fighter squadrons. I noticed that some squadrons seems to be completely outfitted with the single seater E variant, whilst others only rely on the F double-seat variant. Does anyone know, why certain squadrons prefer to fly with and other without a RIO on their Super Hornets. Do they have different combat roles, is it preference by their squadron commanders or has it historical reasons, that some use F's while others use E's?

[Agiel7]

The two-seater F Superhornet is generally better suited for A/G operations due to the decreased workload on the front-seater who can concentrate on getting the aircraft into a basket to pickle the weapons while the NFO works the A/G radar and/or targeting pod.

 

That said, single-seaters are still perfectly fine for mud-moving (as the F-16 and the A-10 can attest to) and on the flipside, having two people can also be an advantage in WVR (you have two eyes looking for bandits rather than one).

[Leviathan]

So there is a distinction between some US Navy squadrons being dedicated to precision AG-strikes (two-seater), and some squadrons that are more focused on A2A operations (fleet protection etc.) + simple "mud-moving" and use the single seater? Still, all of them are designated with VFA-x, so no real distinction in their names, that's what confuses me.

 

And also why not just buy the more versatile two-seaters, but for some the single-seaters, for others the double?

Edited September 3, 2013 by Leviathan

[Leviathan]

So no one knows, what's the philosophy behind some US navy squadrons using the single-seated F/A-18E and others use the two-seated F/A-18F?

[SkateZilla]

One's Better for Fighter/A2A Role

One's Better A2G/AllWeatherAttack/Training