Aerospace 101 Air Power and Cross-Domain Integration U.S. Navy Aircraft 101 PublishedMay 7, 2019 Last UpdatedJune 14, 2022 SINCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR, aircraft have played a vital role in the mission of the United States Navy. Today, with 4,012 total aircraft, the Navy has a larger air force than the United States Air Force.1 Their diverse mission sets include combat, airborne early warning command and control, electronic warfare, maritime patrol, transportation and surveillance. Unmanned Air Vehicles The unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) of the United States Navy serve a range of missions providing a greater level of efficiency, range and risk mitigation than typical manned aircraft. MQ-8B Sea (Fire) Scout HISTORY: The MQ-8B replaced the Navy’s RQ-Pioneer fixed wing UAV system in 2007. Its first operation was in 2009 and since it has successfully undertaken tasking such as intercepting drug smuggling boats and aiding in the Libyan Civil War. One MQ-8B has been confirmed lost to enemy fire. CHARACTERISTICS: The Fire Scout, adopted by the Navy as the Sea Scout, is a tactical UAV. Its rotary wing design allows for vertical takeoff and landing. The surveillance craft is outfitted with a suite of cameras that provide infrared, laser and inertial navigation solutions, a mine detector, a maritime radar and a Ultra High Frequency (UHF)/Very High Frequency (VHF) Communications Relay system. Side mounts are included for the fitting of armament pods. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Autonomous vertical takeoff and landing from ship decks or land OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: Gun pods, cannon pods, anti-tank guided missiles, rocket pods, drop bombs, and guided drop bombs PAYLOAD: 600 pounds THRUST: 420 pounds shaft horsepower (per engine) SPEED: 85 knots RANGE: 110 nautical miles CEILING: 12,500 feet CREW: N/A INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: May 2009 CONTRACTOR: Northrop Grumman UNIT COST: $14.6 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 23 MQ-8C Fire Scout HISTORY: The MQ-8C was developed to demonstrate unmanned resupply capabilities. After initial flight tests, the US Navy contracted Northrop to build 28 MQ-8Cs for special operations forces. Initial operating tests were completed in June 2018 on board the USS Coronado (LCS 4). U.S. Navy CHARACTERISTICS: The MQ-8C Fire Scout is an unmanned outfitting of the Bell 407 helicopter airframe. The 8C is a larger, more powerful version with the intended capabilities to resupply and support special operation missions. The rotary wing design allows vertical takeoff and landing on the deck of a ship. It is equipped with the Osprey 30 AESA radar which offers full spherical coverage. Modification to include external armament pods is expected. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Autonomous vertical takeoff and landing from ship decks or land OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: TBD PAYLOAD: 2,950 pounds THRUST: 813 pounds shaft horsepower SPEED: 135 knots RANGE: 324 nautical miles CEILING: 18,701 feet CREW: N/A INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: 2015 CONTRACTOR: Northrop Grumman / Bell Helicopter UNIT COST: $18 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 19 MQ-4C Triton Alex Evers/U.S. Navy courtesy of Northrop Grumman HISTORY: The MQ-8C is designed to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions across the ocean. It is expected to reach full operating capability in 2023. CHARACTERISTICS: The MQ-4C is a naval version of the Army’s RQ-4 Global Hawk. It shares the same single engine, straight wing body, but has a larger belly to house a radar array and visual tracking system. The wings are longer to support maritime operation. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Autonomous take off and landing from land-based or sea-based runways OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: None PAYLOAD: None THRUST: 6,500-9,000 pounds SPEED: 310 knots RANGE: 8,199 nautical miles CEILING: 60,039 feet CREW: N/A INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: May 2018 CONTRACTOR: Northrop Grumman UNIT COST: $120.69million CURRENT INVENTORY: 3 Combat The role of the combat aircraft in the U.S. Navy is to fight the enemy in air-to-air combat and provide close air support. Combat aircraft in the Navy are equipped with special landing gear which allows them to land and take off from aircraft carriers. With their speed, stealth, and weapon capability the combat aircraft lead the Navy’s forward deployed forces. F/18 E/F Super Hornet HISTORY: In 1992 the Navy contracted McDonnell to produce an updated version of the F/A-18 Hornet. Prototype testing began in November of 1995 and serial production began the same year. Super Hornets have been used in a variety of conflicts securing no fly zones, providing air defense and completing strike missions. Most recently the Super Hornet has conducted airstrikes against ISIS forces in Syria. CHARACTERISTICS: Notably, there are two variants of the Super Hornet: the E-variant is a single-seater aircraft, while the F-variant is a two-seater with a pilot and weapons systems officer (WSO). The aircraft has eleven hardpoints giving it the capability to carry a mixture of ordnance or additional fuel. The Super Hornet package includes the Hughes APG-73 radar kit or the Raytheon APG-79 series radar along with an electronic countermeasures system, jammer pod, radar warning receiver and the capacity to tow a decoy. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Catapult-Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATBAR) on Aircraft Carriers, conventional take-off and landing on land OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: Automatic cannons, Gatling-style gun, air-to-air missiles, short-range air-to-air missiles, medium range air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, anti-radiation missiles, anti-ship missiles, rocket pods, nuclear ordnance, drop bombs, and guided drop bombs PAYLOAD: F/18E: 9,900 pounds F/18F: 9,000 pounds THRUST: Two F414-GE-400 turbofan engines with 22,000 pounds (9,977 kg) static thrust per engine SPEED: 1,032 knots RANGE: 591 nautical miles CEILING: 49,213 feet CREW: One or two, depending on variant INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: November 1999 CONTRACTOR: Boeing / McDonnell Douglas UNIT COST: $70.5 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 549 F-35C Lightning II HISTORY: The F-35 C is a part of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, winning the bid in 2001 to design a strike capable aircraft for the U.S Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force in order to standardize maintenance and production across the services. The F-35C variant is designed for the Navy to gradually replace the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. Shannon E. Renfroe/U.S. Navy CHARACTERISTICS: The F-35C is uniquely designed for aircraft carrier operations. Distinguishing itself from the other variants, the F-35C has larger wings for better maneuverability over oceans, more robust landing gear necessary for carrier landings, and the most amount of internal fuel storage giving it the longest range. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Catapult-Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATBAR) on Aircraft Carriers, conventional take-off and landing on land OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: Automatic cannons, air-to-air missiles, short-range air-to-air missiles, medium range air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, cruise missiles, drop bombs, and guided drop bombs PAYLOAD: 18,000 pounds THRUST: 40,000 lb Max. and 25,000 lb Mil. SPEED: 1,042 knots RANGE: >1,200 nautical miles CEILING: 50,000 feet CREW: One INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: February 2019 CONTRACTOR: Lockheed Martin UNIT COST: $121.2 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 28 Airborne Early Warning Command and Control These aircraft are the Navy’s “eyes in the sky.” They use advanced radar and communications systems to command the battle space, directing aircraft to their targets and alerting friendly forces of enemies nearby. They also act as air traffic control centers for aircraft carriers and as an extension of the carrier’s Command Information Centers (CICs). E-2C/D Hawkeye HISTORY: The E-2 was introduced into the Navy’s fleet to serve as a command control center in the sky. The airframe and several onboard systems have undergone many upgrades and improvements as conflicts and theaters shift, but reliance on the aircraft has yet to waver. The E-2 has been used in most major conflicts since the Vietnam War, and is frequently deployed for humanitarian assistance during natural disasters. CHARACTERISTICS: The E-2 Hawkeye is known as the quarterback of navy aircraft. It’s large radar make it the “eye in the sky” directing flight operations and monitoring threats. There are two active variants: the E-2C and the E-2D Advanced. The E-2C is an updated version of the E-2 with improvements such as a new radar system, updated inertial navigation system, and new turboprops. The E-2D Advanced includes inflight refueling, improved power plants, updated avionics and redesigned cockpit glass. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Catapult-Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATBAR) on Aircraft Carriers, conventional take-off and landing on land Ernest R. Scott/U.S. Navy OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: None PAYLOAD: 17,300 pounds THRUST: 5,100 pounds per engine SPEED: 326 knots RANGE: 1,395 nautical miles CEILING: 30,807 feet CREW: Five INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: October 1960 CONTRACTOR: Northrop Grumman UNIT COST: $176 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 72 E-6B Mercury HISTORY: The E-6B is a command and control center designed to communicate with the Navy’s fleet of ballistic missile submarines in the event of nuclear war. In 1998, it replaced the Air Force’s EC-135C, assuming the mission as the remote control center for Minuteman ICBMs for use in the event that ground systems are inoperable. There are currently two active squadrons based out of Tinker AFB in Oklahoma. Christopher Okula/U.S. Air Force CHARACTERISTICS: The E-6B is an adapted Boeing 707-320 airframe equipped with advanced VLF communication systems ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Conventional OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: None PAYLOAD: None THRUST: 20,000 pounds per engine SPEED: 524 knots RANGE: 6,533 nautical miles CEILING: 40,026 feet CREW: Four to twenty-two INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: February 1987 CONTRACTOR: Boeing UNIT COST: $141.7 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 16 Electronic Warfare Electronic warfare aircraft are equipped with the technology employ electronic warfare tactics such as jamming and deception to reduce the effectiveness of the enemy’s radar or communication systems. EA-18G Growler HISTORY: The EA-18G replaced the Grumman EA-6B Prowler as the U.S Navy’s carrier based electronic warfare strike aircraft. Sea trials to test the aircraft in an operational setting began in 2008 with formal introduction into the fleet in 2009. The mission of the Growler is to essentially “blind” the enemy during combat. Briana C. Brotzman/U.S. Navy CHARACTERISTICS: The EA-18G is a modification of the F/A-18F Super Hornet. It has nine external hardpoints for weapons systems and equipment, but no internal cannon for close air fighting. This electronic warfare aircraft is outfitted with wideband precision receiving pods, low band jamming pods, high band jamming pods, and a communication countermeasures kit. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Catapult-Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATBAR) on Aircraft Carriers, conventional take-off and landing on land OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: Air-to-air missiles, short range air-to-air missiles, medium range air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, anti-radiation missiles, and drop bombs PAYLOAD: 9,000 pounds THRUST: 14,000 pounds per engine SPEED: 1,200 knots RANGE: 1,267 nautical miles CEILING: 50,853 feet CREW: Two INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: September 2008 CONTRACTOR: Boeing UNIT COST: $68.2 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 153 Maritime Patrol These aircraft are designed for long-term over ocean operations where they use special radars, sonobuoys, cameras and other equipment to conduct reconnaissance, hunt down submarines and surface vessels or complete search and rescue operations. P-3C Orion HISTORY: The P-3C has been the workhorse of the United States Navy since 1962. Originally developed during the cold war to track Soviet submarines they have been used in multiple theaters including locating drug smuggling submarines. While on paper it has been superseded by the P-8A Poseidon, the P-3C remains operational. CHARACTERISTICS: The P-3C is a land based anti-submarine aircraft with weapon bays that can hold eight torpedoes and eight depth charges along with ten underwing hardpoints for other weapons systems. Ian Abbott ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Conventional OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: Air-to-surface missiles, anti-ship missiles, aerial rockets, aerial torpedo, depth charges, harpoons, and naval mines PAYLOAD: 57,800 pounds THRUST: 4,600 pounds per engine SPEED: 405 knots RANGE: 4,860 nautical miles CEILING: 28,297 feet CREW: Eleven INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: August 1962 CONTRACTOR: Lockheed Martin UNIT COST: $36 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 54 EP-3E ARIES II HISTORY: The EP-3E Airborne Reconnaissance Integrated Electronic System (ARIES) II is an adapted version of the P-3C. The first variant was developed in the late 1960s for covert operations and the current follow-on variant retains this classified mission. In April 2001 an EP-3E collided with a Chinese J-8IIM jet causing an international incident. The crew was returned to the United States but Chinese intelligence services picked apart the aircraft in order to obtain classified information. Pedro Aragao CHARACTERISTICS: The EP-3E ARIES II retains the same airframe as the P-3C Orion but additional receivers and high-gain dish antennas contribute to it’s reconnaissance mission. It is the U.S Navy’s only land based signals intelligence reconnaissance aircraft. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Conventional OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: Classified PAYLOAD: 57,800 pounds THRUST: 4,600 pounds shaft horsepower per engine (x4) SPEED: 420 knots RANGE: 3,000 nautical miles CEILING: 28,297 feet CREW: Twenty-two or more INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: June 2006 CONTRACTOR: Lockheed Martin UNIT COST: $36 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 12 P-8A Poseidon HISTORY: The P-8A Poseidon was developed as a replacement for the P-3C Orion. Its mission includes: anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, early warning self protection, and shipping interdiction. CHARACTERISTICS: The P-8A is an adapted version of the Boeing 737-800NG on which much of the external features remain the same, with the exception of the in-flight refueling capabilities. Armament is carried in five internally-held rotary launches, while six external hard points allow additional pods to be added. Along with a standard surface search radar and a magnetic anomaly detector, the P-8A has systems that allow for the integration of UAVs, the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Demonstrator (BAMS-D), and the deployment of sonobuoys. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Conventional Greg L. Davis/U.S. Navy OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: Air-to-surface missiles, anti-ship missiles, aerial torpedo, cruise missiles, depth charges, and naval mines PAYLOAD: 19,800 pounds THRUST: 27,000 pounds per engine SPEED: 426 knots RANGE: 1,200 nautical miles CEILING: 41,010 feet CREW: Nine INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: November 2013 CONTRACTOR: Boeing UNIT COST: $125 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 86 Transport Transport aircraft are used to move people, equipment, supplies or weapons through a variety of environments. Some also retain secondary roles as support aircraft for missile ranges. C-40A Clipper U.S. Navy HISTORY: The C-40A Clipper is a transportation plane used by the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Navy Reserves as the primary medium to heavy lift airframe. It replaced the C-9B Skytrain IIs in 2001, providing greater fuel efficiency, range and payload. Variants are also used by the Air Force and National Guard and the Marine Corps intends to add two to their fleet. CHARACTERISTICS: The C-40A Clipper is an adapted version of the Boeing 737. It is equipped with an updated integrated GPS, Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System, ground proximity warning system, tactical air navigation, and surveillance systems. The main deck is convertible to provide transportation for up to 121 passengers or 36,000 pounds or a split configuration with both. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Conventional OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: None PAYLOAD: 40,000 pounds THRUST: 27,300 pounds per engine SPEED: 534 knots RANGE: 3,000 nautical miles CEILING: 41,000 feet CREW: Six INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: April 2001 CONTRACTOR: Boeing UNIT COST: $70 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 15 C-12 Huron Mark Harkin/U.S. Navy HISTORY: The C-12 Huron is a multi-platform aircraft for all branches of the armed service. Since it was introduced in 1974, the U.S Navy has used it for personnel and VIP transportation, light cargo transport, training, and humanitarian assistance. CHARACTERISTICS: The Huron is a small propellor driven transport aircraft, with the capacity to hold 13 passengers. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Conventional OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: None PAYLOAD: 4,745 pounds THRUST: 850 horsepower (turboprop) SPEED: 289 knots RANGE: 1,803 nautical miles CEILING: 35,105 feet CREW: One INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: 1974 CONTRACTOR: Beechcraft UNIT COST: $6 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 3 C-2A Greyhound HISTORY: The C-2A Greyhound was developed based on the E-2 Hawkeye with the purpose of carrier-based transport. It is a valuable asset for the U.S. Navy, standing out because of its speed and dependability. The C-2A was relied on significantly during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. Jeremy M. Starr/U.S. Navy CHARACTERISTICS: The C-2 Greyhound shares many similarities with the E-2 Hawkeye; foldable wings that make for easier storage on the ship, two Allison turboprops fitted with 4-bladed propellers and fully retractable tricycle undercarriage. The C-2’s large cargo bay doors with a built in power winch allow for the loading and unloading of large machines and parts. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Catapult-Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATBAR) on Aircraft Carriers, conventional take-off and landing on land OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: None PAYLOAD: 10,000 pounds THRUST: 4,800 horsepower (turboprop) SPEED: 288 knots RANGE: 1,296 nautical miles CEILING: 33,497 feet CREW: Four INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: November 1864 CONTRACTOR: Northrop Grumman UNIT COST: $40.01 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 34 C-37A/B Gulfstream Alec Wilson HISTORY: The C-37 Gulfstream has two variants used by the U.S Navy. Both are used as a VIP transport aircraft. An additional variant, the NC-37B is currently being tested for use as missile range support. CHARACTERISTICS: The variants share similar characteristics including two turbofan engine with thrust reverses that allow the aircraft to fly through all types of weather at high speeds. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Conventional OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: None PAYLOAD: 6,200 pounds THRUST: 15,385 pounds per engine SPEED: 488 knots RANGE: 6,750 nautical miles CEILING: 51,000 feet CREW: Two INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: August 2003 CONTRACTOR: Gulfstream UNIT COST: $61.5 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 4 C-26A/D Metroliner HISTORY: The C-26 Metroliner was acquired to perform short distance transportation of passengers or cargo in all types of weather. Now, the U.S. Navy as adapted most of the aircraft for missile tracking and range support. Shelley Gill/U.S. Air Force CHARACTERISTICS: The C-26 Metroliner is a transport aircraft with capacity for 19 passengers and/or cargo. It has multiple navigation systems including Automated Direction Finder, VHF Omnidirectional Range, Tactical Air Navigation or GPS. Its design also allows for landing on runways as short as 5,000 ft. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Conventional with conditional short runway landing OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: None PAYLOAD: 850 pounds THRUST: 1,400 horsepower (turboprop) SPEED: 288 knots RANGE: 2,025 nautical miles CEILING: 31,000 feet CREW: Two INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: May 2012 CONTRACTOR: Fairchild Aircraft UNIT COST: unavailable CURRENT INVENTORY: 8 Rotorcraft Rotorcraft in the Navy serve a variety of purposes including transportation, anti-submarine warfare, minesweeping and search and rescue. Their ability to take off and land vertically makes them compatible for deployment with multiple types of surface ships. MV-22B Osprey HISTORY: The MV-22 Ospreys have historically been operated by the Air Force and the Marine Corps but recently the United States Navy decided to add the aircraft to its fleet. The Osprey has been used in combat operations since 2007 in both Afghanistan and Iraq for cargo transport, infantry transport, search and rescue, and humanitarian relief. Since 2007, there have been seven MV-22 crashes leading to 12 deaths, along with several minor incidents which has lead to some controversy over the safety of the aircraft. CHARACTERISTICS: The V-22 Osprey is a unique combination of fixed wing airframe with rotarycraft characteristics. The unique set of propellers are designed to rotate positions giving the vehicle the benefits of vertical take off and landing, like a helicopter, and the speed and aerodynamics of a fixed wing aircraft. Corbin Shea/U.S. Navy ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Vertical takeoff and landing OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: Heavy machine guns PAYLOAD: 20,000 pounds THRUST: 6,150 pounds shaft horsepower per engine SPEED: 275 knots RANGE: 879 nautical miles CEILING: 25,000 feet CREW: Three INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: June 2007 CONTRACTOR: Bell Helicopter / Boeing Company UNIT COST: $72.1 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 8 MH-60R/S Seahawk HISTORY: Designed based on the U.S Army’s UH-60 Blackhawk, the SH-60 Seahawk was adapted to serve the Light Airborne Multipurpose System (LAMPS) mission for the U.S Navy. Since its original use in 1985, the SH-60 has been used for search and rescue, humanitarian relief, special forces operations, mine warfare, warship hunting, cargo hauling and resupply missions. CHARACTERISTICS: The Navy operates two variants of the H-60: the MH-60R and MH-60S. The MH-60R is a strike helicopter equipped with missiles, torpedoes, and anti-submarine sonar capabilities. The MH-60S has a similar airframe but is designed for cargo-hauling and resupply missions. Matt Matlage/U.S. Navy ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Vertical takeoff and landing OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: Machine guns, automatic cannons, gatling-style gun, air-to-surface missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, anti-ship missiles, and aerial torpedoes PAYLOAD: 6,000 pounds THRUST: 1,890 pounds shaft horsepower per engine SPEED: 180 knots RANGE: 380 nautical miles CEILING: 18,966 feet CREW: Four INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: 1984 CONTRACTOR: Sikorsky UNIT COST: MH-60R: $42.9 million MH-60S: $28.1 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 526 CH-53E Sea Stallion HISTORY: The CH-53E has been used by the Navy and Marine Corps for a variety of missions. The Navy version provides minesweeping and hunting capabilities along with the standard mission off troop transportation and cargo lifting. Christopher Newsome/U.S. Navy CHARACTERISTICS: The CH-53E is a heavy lift transport aircraft, with three powerful engines that drive a main rotor and smaller tail rotor. It is capable of transporting up to 55 people and towing armored vehicles, artillery guns, or other heavy cargo. ARRESTMENT AND LAUNCH: Vertical takeoff and landing OPTIONAL WEAPONS SYSTEMS: Machine guns and heavy machine guns PAYLOAD: 30,000 pounds THRUST: 4,380 pounds shaft horsepower per engine (x3) SPEED: 170 knots RANGE: 1,120 nautical miles CEILING: 18,504 feet CREW: Five INITIAL OPERATING CAPABILITY: 1981 CONTRACTOR: Sikorsky UNIT COST: $24.36 million CURRENT INVENTORY: 142 Return to the Aerospace 101 Archive
