You've probably seen the sleek, aggressive silhouette of the Anvil F7C-M Super Hornet Mk II screaming through the Stanton system lately. It’s hard to miss. While the original Mk I was a chunky, nostalgic relic of the early days of Star Citizen, the Mk II is a different beast entirely. It’s leaner. It’s Meaner. Honestly, it’s exactly what the Hornet should have been five years ago.
The "Super" in the name isn't just marketing fluff from Anvil Aerospace. This is the only Hornet variant that lets you bring a buddy along for the ride in a dedicated second seat. In a game where solo pilots usually dominate the light fighter meta, the Super Hornet Mk II makes a compelling case for the duo-queue life. But is it actually worth the credits, or are you just paying for a prettier cockpit and some extra hull HP?
What Actually Changed with the Super Hornet Mk II?
If you’re coming from the old Mk I, the first thing you’ll notice is the frame. The Mk II looks like it went on a diet and then hit the gym. The profile is significantly more streamlined, which isn't just for looks—it actually reduces your cross-section, making you a slightly harder target to pin down in a dogfight.
The firepower jump is the real story here.
The Mk II upsizes the hardpoints across the board. You’re looking at two Size 4 mounts on the wings and two Size 2s on the nose. Then there's the pièce de résistance: the ball turret. On the Super Hornet Mk II, you get a Size 3 twin turret that your co-pilot can control. If you’re flying solo, you can still slave that turret to the pilot, giving you a total of six guns.
Basically, the DPS (Damage Per Second) floor has been raised significantly. In the current 4.x flight model, a well-equipped Super Hornet Mk II can push north of 2,700 DPS if you’re using high-alpha weapons like Deadbolts or Attritions. That’s enough to melt a Cutlass Black before they even realize their shields are down.
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Flight Characteristics and Survival
It’s an absolute tank. Compared to the base F7C Mk II, the Super Hornet version comes with an extra shield generator and a second power plant. That redundancy is a lifesaver. You can lose a wing and a thruster and still limp back to Port Tressler.
- SCM Speed: ~220 m/s
- Afterburner: 1,220 m/s
- Shields: 3x Size 1 (Military Grade)
- Crew: 1-2 (Pilot + Gunner)
The handling is "weighty." Don't expect to out-turn an Arrow or a Gladius. If you try to dogfight a light fighter in a circle strafe, you're going to have a bad time. You have to fly this ship like a brawler—use your shields to soak up the initial pass, then use that massive capacitor to finish the job.
The Wikelo Grind: How to Get One in 2026
If you didn't snag the Super Hornet Mk2 Star Citizen during the initial concept sale or an Invictus event, you're looking at the in-game grind. Currently, the most reliable way to get your hands on one without spending real-world cash is through the Wikelo trade-in missions.
It isn't easy. You can't just walk into Astro Armada and buy it with a handful of aUEC. You’ll need to gather specific items that are scattered across the more dangerous corners of the verse.
- Wikelo Favors: You need 20 of these. You get them by trading in Mercenary Scrip, which you earn by doing patrol missions and clearing out bunkers.
- DCHS-05 Comp-Boards: You’ll need 6. These only drop in Contested Zones (CZs). If you’re feeling brave, Ruin Station in Pyro is the most consistent spot, but watch your back.
- Ace Interceptor Helmets: Grab 5 of these by looting the bodies of Ace pilots after high-level bounty missions.
- Government Medal: Just one, but it has to be "Pristine." These are rare drops in blue loot boxes at Hathor locations.
Is it a slog? Yeah. But flying a ship you actually earned through gameplay feels way better than just opening your wallet. Plus, the version you get from Wikelo usually comes with Grade A military components pre-installed.
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The Meta Loadout: Making it Lethal
Look, the stock loadout is okay, but if you want to be competitive in the 2026 meta, you need to swap things out. Most players are split between a full ballistic "shield-shredder" build and a more sustainable laser repeater setup.
The "Dakka" Special (Ballistics)
If you want to end fights in seconds, go with two AD4Bs on the wings and four Deadbolt IIIs split between the nose and the turret. This gives you insane shield penetration. The downside? You have limited ammo. This is for the pilot who does one bounty, rearms, and goes back out.
The "Everlasting" Build (Lasers)
For long-duration PvE sessions, swap everything for CF-Series Repeaters (Panthers and Rhinos). The projectile speed is around 1,400 m/s, making it much easier to hit those twitchy light fighters. You won't have the raw punch of ballistics, but you never have to worry about running out of "bullets."
The Co-Pilot Factor
Don't ignore the back seat. In the Mk II, the co-pilot can actually plot jump points on the Star Map and manage missiles. In a chaotic fight, having your buddy handle the flares and missile locks while you focus on flying is a massive force multiplier.
Super Hornet Mk II vs. F7A: The Great Debate
The question everyone asks in global chat: "Should I just get the F7A?"
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The F7A Mk II is the pure military version. It’s slightly faster and has even larger hardpoints. However, the F7A is a single-seater. You lose the utility of the gunner. Also, the F7A is incredibly hard to get unless you completed the "Overdrive Initiative" or have access to an Executive Hangar.
For most players, the Super Hornet Mk II is the better daily driver. It’s more versatile. You can use it for mercenary work, escorting cargo haulers, or just showing off your new paint job at a ship meet.
Final Verdict for the Modern Pilot
The Super Hornet Mk2 Star Citizen has finally reclaimed its spot as the premier medium fighter. It’s not the untouchable god of the sky it was in the early Alpha days, but it’s a balanced, terrifying brawler that rewards good positioning and teamwork.
What you should do next:
- Check your hangar: If you still have a Mk I Super Hornet, look into the CCU (Cross-Chassis Upgrade) options. The performance jump is significant enough that the nostalgia isn't worth holding onto the old model for combat.
- Head to Ruin Station: Start farming those Comp-Boards now if you want to go the Wikelo route.
- Find a wingman: The Mk II shines brightest when you have someone in the back seat. Join a combat-focused Org and start practicing your communication.
The verse is getting more dangerous with the 4.x updates. Don't get caught in an outdated hull.