F-18E with 3 fuel tanks?

[rowbeartoe]

Hi everyone. I have a diecast model of an F-18E (dambusters). It gives me the option for 3 fuel tanks (2 for wings and 1 for under the belly). I've never seen a Rhino carry 3 fuel tanks- and they are known for not having long range. Question- could a carrier and or land base F-18E use 3 fuel tanks? The news keeps talking about the new fuel tanks coming but I just can't seem to find the answer to the current fuel tanks.

[sferrin]

3 tanks. First page on google results.

[ChippyHo]

3 tanks is a piece of cake - it can actually carry 5 external tanks in what is know as the 5 wet configuration.
In that it becomes a buddy refueler for the other a/c in the carrier air wing

[gc]

3 wet is a pretty common configuration even for recovery tanking. But i have read somewhere that its not favoured for CAS as the tank on the side of the ATFLIR pod obstructs the pod’s view.

[rowbeartoe]

Wow- thanks everyone!