Although the Hornet is heavier, longer and wider than the Dassault Mirage, the JAS-39 Gripen or the General Dynamics F-16, it is a more efficient aircraft offering greater weapons loadout potential. It is also a dual-engine fighter, like the MiG-29 Fulcrum (which is better armed, yet cheaper, and handles excellently at low speeds), but with the superior takeoff/landing abilities, low-workload cockpit and ground attack capabilities that the MiG-29 lacks. Like the F/A-18, the MiG-29 fuel capacity is seen as a considerable liability.
