Editing McDonnell Douglas (section)

===1970–1980===
[[File:American Airlines MD-80 (435551097).jpg|thumb|MD-80]]

In 1977, the next generation of DC-9 variants, dubbed the "Super 80" (later renamed the [[McDonnell Douglas MD-80|MD-80]]) series, was launched.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/653620392.html?dids=653620392:653620392&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+03%2C+1977&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=McDonnell+to+Build+Larger%2C+Quieter+DC-9&pqatl=google |title= McDonnell to build larger, quieter DC-9 |work= Los Angeles Times |first= Tom |last= Redburn |date= October 3, 1977 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211603/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/653620392.html?dids=653620392:653620392&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+03,+1977&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=McDonnell+to+Build+Larger,+Quieter+DC-9&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref>

In 1977, the [[KC-10 Extender]] became the second McDonnell Douglas transport aircraft to be purchased by the U.S. Air Force, after the [[McDonnell Douglas C-9|C-9 Nightingale/Skytrain II]].

[[File:F-15, 71st Fighter Squadron, in flight.JPG|thumb|USAF F-15C during an Operation Noble Eagle patrol]]
Through the [[Cold War]], McDonnell Douglas had introduced and manufactured dozens of successful military aircraft, including the [[F-15 Eagle]] in 1974 and<ref>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/657452092.html?dids=657452092:657452092&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+10%2C+1981&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=7+Aerospace+Firms+Take+%2450-Million+Gamble+on+Advanced+F-15+Fighter&pqatl=google |title= 7 Aerospace Firms Take $50-Million Gamble on Advanced F-15 Fighter |work= Los Angeles Times |first= Bob |last= Williams |date= May 10, 1981 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211723/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/657452092.html?dids=657452092:657452092&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+10,+1981&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=7+Aerospace+Firms+Take+$50-Million+Gamble+on+Advanced+F-15+Fighter&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref> the [[F/A-18 Hornet]] in 1978,<ref name= 'F19a'>{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/665453722.html?dids=665453722:665453722&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+30%2C+1981&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Pentagon+Gives+Navy+Go-Ahead+on+Costly+Douglas+F-18+Fighter&pqatl=google |title= Pentagon gives Navy Go-Ahead on costly Douglas F-18 fighter |work= Los Angeles Times |date= June 30, 1981 |access-date= July 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121024211738/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/665453722.html?dids=665453722:665453722&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+30,+1981&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Pentagon+Gives+Navy+Go-Ahead+on+Costly+Douglas+F-18+Fighter&pqatl=google |archive-date= October 24, 2012 |url-status= dead}}</ref> as well as other products such as the [[Harpoon missile|Harpoon]] and [[Tomahawk (missile family)|Tomahawk missile]]s.

The oil crisis of the 1970s was a serious shock to the commercial aviation industry. McDonnell Douglas was hit by the economic shift and forced to contract while diversifying into new areas to protect against more downturns.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}