The team flew the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet from 1986 until the end of 2020, which had served in the fleet and is constantly maintained and updated to be a combat-ready fighter aircraft. Modifications to each F/A-18 include removal of the weapons and replacement with a tank that contains smoke-oil used in demonstrations and outfitted with a control stick spring system for more precise aircraft control input. Control sticks are tensioned with of force to allow the pilot minimal room for uncommanded movement of the aircraft.