The F/A-18 can carry a dizzying array of bombs and missiles, has amazing onboard electronics, and can be outfitted with different components to specialize it for the task at hand. It is also the showpiece of the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron. This article from HowStuffWorks examines the F-18 in detail and shows why it is such a valuable part of the U.S. arsenal.