List of active United States naval aircraft

Last updated

This is a list of United States Navy aircraft. It does not include naval aircraft operated by the other two naval services of the United States; the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and United States Coast Guard (USCG). For the aircraft of those services, see United States Marine Corps Aviation#Current inventory and List of equipment of the United States Coast Guard#Aircraft. For a complete list of naval aircraft designated under pre-1962 United States Navy designation systems, see List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962); for aircraft without formal designations, see List of undesignated military aircraft of the United States. For a list of all naval aircraft designated under the post-1962 unified Department of Defense designations, see List of military aircraft of the United States.

Contents

Aircraft

Current inventory

U.S. Military aircraft are designated using the "1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system." The system designates aircraft by Basic Mission in the case of fixed wing-manned-powered-conventional take off and landing aircraft and by Vehicle Type and Basic Mission in the case of all other aircraft (Helicopters, UAVs, Gliders, VSTOL). A Modified Mission code may be added in front of the Basic Mission code to further define the mission of multi-role aircraft or to define the mission of an aircraft after it has been modified or adapted for a different mission than its original designation indicates. In some cases a Modified Mission code is used in lieu of the Basic Mission code where no basic mission code exists which adequately defines the mission of the aircraft. A Status Prefix may be added at the front of the designation of aircraft developed or converted to function as research, testing or development aircraft. The table below defines these various codes for each aircraft in the third column and in the fourth column lists the actual role or roles for which it is used by the Navy

AircraftOrigin Vehicle Type, Basic Mission, Modified Mission, Status Prefix RoleIn serviceNotes
Carrier Air Wing aircraft [a]
F-35C Lightning II USABasic Mission: F-Fighter Carrier-based Strike Fighter [b] 72 [1] Projected inventory 273
F/A-18E,F Super Hornet USABasic Missions: F-Fighter & A-Attack [c] 585 [1] 37 on order [1]
EA-18G Growler USABasic Mission: A-Attack
Modified Mission: E-Electronic Warfare		 Carrier-based ECM / SEAD 153 [1]
E-2C,D Hawkeye [d] USABasic Mission: E-Special Electronic Installation Carrier-based AEW / Airborne C2 86 [1] [e] Projected E-2D inventory 75 [f] replacing E-2C
MH-60R Seahawk USAVehicle Type: H-Helicopter
Modified Mission: M-Multi-mission [g] 		ASW / ASUW / EW / ISR / NSFS [h] 270 [i]
MH-60S Seahawk USA SAR / CSAR / ASUW / NSW [j] / AMCM [k] / VERTREP / MEDEVAC / HADR [l] 256 [m]
C-2A Greyhound USABasic Mission: C-Cargo COD 19 [1] Replaced by 2026 [3]
CMV-22B Osprey USAVehicle Type: V-VSTOL
Modified Mission: M-Multi-mission [g] [n]
Modified Mission: C-Cargo		38 [1] Projected inventory 44, [o] replacing C-2A
MQ-25A Stingray USAVehicle Type: Q-Unmanned aerial vehicle
Modified Mission: M-Multi-mission [g] 		Carrier-based Tanker / ISR 0Projected inventory 76, first delivery in 2026
Other (non-Carrier Air Wing) operational aircraft [p]
P-8A Poseidon USABasic Mission: P-Maritime Patrol Maritime Patrol 126 [1] 3 on order [1]
E-6B Mercury USABasic Mission: E-Special Electronic Installation TACAMO / ALCS 16 [1] Replaced by E-130J by 2030s [q]
E-130J Phoenix II USA TACAMO [r] 03 on order [1]
MQ-4C Triton USAVehicle Type: Q-Unmanned aerial vehicle
Modified Mission: M-Multi-mission [g] 		ISR 9Projected inventory 27 [4]
MQ-8C Fire Scout USA5 [1] To be retired in FY 2026
MH-53E Sea Dragon USAVehicle Type: H-Helicopter
Modified Mission: M-Multi-mission [g] 		AMCM [k] / VOD [s] 18 [1] To be retired by FY 2027
Naval Air Training Command aircraft [t]
T-6A Texan II USABasic Mission: T-Trainer Student NFO (SNFO) trainer294 [1] Approx 40 T-6A SNFO trainers, remainder are T-6B SNA trainers
T-6B Texan II USA Student Naval Aviator (SNA) trainer
T-45C Goshawk UK
USA		 SNA/SNFO trainer189 [1] Approx 20 SNFO trainers, remainder are SNA trainers
T-44C Pegasus USA SNA trainer76 [1] [u] 43 T-54A on order, [1] 64 projected to replace T-44C [5] 2024 - 2026
T-54A Marlin II USA
TH-73A Thrasher ItalyVehicle Type: H-Helicoter
Basic Mission: T-Trainer		 SNA trainer130 [1] Replaced the TH-57B,C [v]
Cargo and personnel transport aircraft [w]
UC-12F,M Huron USABasic Mission: C-Cargo
Modified Mission: U-Utility		Transport13 [x] [1]
C-26D Metroliner USABasic Mission: C-CargoTransport4 [y] [1]
C-37A Gulfstream V USAVIP transport1 [z]
C-37B Gulfstream G550 USAVIP transport3 [z]
C-40A Clipper USANUFEA [aa] 17 [ab] [1]
C-130J Super Hercules USA Blue Angels "Fat Albert"1 [ac] [1] Acquired from the U.K. [6]
KC-130J Super Hercules USABasic Mission: C-Cargo
Modified Mission: K-Aerial Refueling 		NUFEA [aa] 0 [ad] Projected inventory 32 [7] to replace C/KC-130T by 2030
C-130T Hercules USABasic Mission: C-CargoNUFEA [aa] 16 [ac] To be replaced by KC-130J beginning 2027
KC-130T Hercules USABasic Mission: C-Cargo
Modified Mission: K-Aerial Refueling 		11-NUFEA [aa]
5-Test & Evaluation support		16 [ac]
Aggressor and training support aircraft [ae]
F-5F,N Tiger II USABasic Mission: F-Fighter Aggressor 33 [1] Up to 38 by 2028 [af]
F-16A,B Fighting Falcon USA14 [ag] Embargoed Pakistani acft [ah]
F-16C,D Fighting Falcon USA26 [ai] Retired by the USAF 2022
T-34C Mentor USABasic Mission: T-TrainerChase / Spotting15 [1] Former trainer, [aj] retained in training support roles
Research and Test & Evaluation aircraft [ak]
P-3C Orion USABasic Mission: P-Maritime Patrol Test Range support4 [1] Replaced by P-8, retained for Test Range support
NP-3C,D Orion USABasic Mission: P-Maritime Patrol
Status Prefix: N-Special test, permanent		1-Test Range support
2-NRL support 		3
RC-12M Huron USABasic Mission: C-Cargo
Modified Mission: R-Reconnaissance		 NRL support 1 [x]
UV-18 Twin Otter CanadaVehicle Type: V-VSTOL
Basic Mission: U-Utility		 NRL support 1
NC-20G Grey Ghost USABasic Mission: C-Cargo
Status Prefix: N-Special test, permanent		Test Range support1 [al] [1]
EC-26D Metroliner USABasic Mission: C-Cargo
Modified Mission: E-Electronic Warfare		Missile Range support1 [y] [1]
RC-26D Metroliner USABasic Mission: C-Cargo
Modified Mission: R-Reconnaissance		Missile Range support2 [y] [1]
NC-37B Gulfstream G550 USABasic Mission: C-Cargo
Status Prefix: N-Special test, permanent		Test Range support1 [z]
C-38A Courier USABasic Mission: C-CargoTest & Evaluation support2 [am] [1]
TH-57B,C Sea Ranger USAVehicle Type: H-Helicopter
Basic Mission: T-Trainer		Test & Evaluation support?Former trainer, [an] retained for T&E squadron use [ao]
U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) aircraft [ap]
U-6A Beaver CanadaBasic Mission: U-Utility USNTPS trainer / glider tow2 [1]
NU-1B Otter CanadaBasic Mission: U-Utility
Status Prefix: N-Special test, permanent		 USNTPS trainers1 [1]
C-26A Metroliner USABasic Mission: C-Cargo1 [y] [1]
X-26A Frigate Glider USABasic Mission: X-Special Research [aq] 2 [ar]
T-38C Talon USABasic Mission: T-Trainer10 [1]
UH-60A,L Blackhawk USAVehicle Type: H-Helicopter
Basic Mission: U-Utility		4 [1]
TH-67A Creek or
OH-58 Kiowa [as] 		USAVehicle Type: H-Helicopter
Basic Mission: T-Trainer or O-Observation		3 [1] [at]
UH-72A Lakota GermanyVehicle Type: H-Helicopter
Basic Mission: U-Utility		4 [1] [at]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ These aircraft deploy aboard Aircraft Carriers as part of a Carrier Air Wing. MH-60R and MH-60S aircraft deploy both aboard Aircraft Carriers in Carrier Air Wing Squadrons and in detachments aboard other USN ships; also, some EA-18G squadrons are augmented with a few USAF pilots and/or Combat Systems Officers and do not deploy aboard Aircraft Carriers but to fixed land bases. A number of each aircraft type are also used in various training or other support roles
  2. ↑ F/A-18E,F also used as an Aggressor and is flown by the Blue Angels
  3. ↑ Originally, the Navy planned to have two variants of the Hornet: the F-18 fighter and A-18 light attack aircraft. During development, "F/A-18" was used as a shorthand to refer to both variants. When the Navy decided to develop a single aircraft able to perform both missions, the "F/A" shorthand for the two Basic Mission Codes of "F" and "A" stuck despite the designation system not allowing for the use of two Basic Mission Codes or for slashes. [2]
  4. ↑ The E-2C is being replaced by the E-2D by 2027
  5. ↑ Combined E-2C and E-2D inventory
  6. ↑ Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/E-2D/>
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "M" is a Modified Mission code which was used in this case in lieu of a Basic Mission code
  8. ↑ Naval Surface Fire Support
  9. ↑ Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/MH-60R-Seahawk/>
  10. ↑ airlift for Naval Special Warfare forces
  11. 1 2 Airborne Mine Countermeasures
  12. ↑ Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief
  13. ↑ Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/MH-60S-Seahawk/>
  14. ↑ "CMV" is a non-systematic (not in strict accordance with the 1962 Tri-service system) designation. A systematic designation would have been MCV-22 (Vehcile Type code "V" V/STOL, Basic Mission Code "C" Cargo or Transport, and Modified Mission Code "M" Multi-Mission), however; when the USN designated the aircraft it did so by adding a modified mission code of "C" for Cargo or Transport) to the USMC's MV-22 resulting in CMV-22
  15. ↑ Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/CMV-22B-Osprey#>
  16. ↑ Except for the MQ-8C these aircraft are land based combat or combat support aircraft (though the MH-53E is capable of shipboard operations it is not routinely deployed aboard ships and never as part of a Carrier Air Wing). The MQ-8C is deployed aboard Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).
  17. ↑ Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/E-6B-Mercury/>
  18. ↑ The E-130J will replace the E-6B in the communications link to Ballistic Missile Submarines mission but it will not be equipped with ALCS to launch USAF land based Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. That role will be re-assumed by the USAF presumably with an E-4 variant
  19. ↑ Vertical Onboard Delivery (VOD) is a term used by the US Navy to describe heavy lift helicopters in a COD role
  20. ↑ These aircraft are used in the initial training and qualification of USN, USMC and USCG Naval Aviators and USN Naval Flight Officers (NFO)
  21. ↑ combined T-44C and T-54A inventory
  22. ↑ Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/TH-73A/>
  23. ↑ Except for the C-130J operated by the Blue Angels and the few KC-130Ts used to support test & evaluation operations, these aircraft are operated exclusively by U.S. Navy Reserve Fleet Logistics Support (VR) squadrons or by Air Operations Departments of Naval Air Stations to move personnel and cargo in support of the operating forces of the Navy.
  24. 1 2 Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/c-12/>
  25. 1 2 3 4 Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/C-26-Metroliner/>
  26. 1 2 3 Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/C-37/>
  27. 1 2 3 4 Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift
  28. ↑ Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/C-40-Clipper/>
  29. 1 2 3 Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/CKC-130-Hercules-Super-Hercules/>
  30. ↑ 1 aircraft was authorized in 2024 and 2 in 2025, none have been delivered yet as of the end of 2025
  31. ↑ These aircraft are used to provided simulated enemy aircraft for training. A limited number of F/A-18E,F aircraft are also used in this role. The T-34 is the former pilot basic trainer and is now used to support Strike Fighter pilot training.
  32. ↑ 22 F-5s being received from Switzerland beginning in 2024. 11 will go to the USN and 11 to the USMC [8] to add to 27 F-5F,N already in USN service<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/F-5-Tiger-II/>
  33. ↑ Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/F-16-Fighting-Falcon-Viper/>
  34. ↑ Aircraft originally intended for Pakistan but embargoed in 2002
  35. ↑ USN acquired 26 F-16C/D in 2022 from the USAF to augment its 14 F-16A/B aircraft<https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/us-navy-just-received-fleet-f-16-fighters-us-air-force-212658/>
  36. ↑ The T-34C was the primary trainer for USN/USMC/USCG Naval Aviators and USN/USMC Naval Flight Officers (NFO) until replaced by the T-6A and T-6B in the late 2000s/early 2010s
  37. ↑ These aircraft are used by Air Test and Evaluation (VX) squadrons in the support of Developmental Test and Evaluation (DT&E) or Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) of USN and USMC aircraft and airborne weapons and systems, or by the Naval Research Laboratory's Scientific Development (VXS) squadron in support of research and development projects.
  38. ↑ Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/C-20-Gulfstream/>
  39. ↑ Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/C-38/>
  40. ↑ The TH-57 was the rotary wing trainer for USN/USMC/USCG Naval Aviators until replaced by the TH-73 in 2025
  41. ↑ Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/TH-57/>
  42. ↑ The aircraft listed below are in the custody of and are unique to the USNTPS; however, the school also uses other types of aircraft through lease or other temporary arrangement. It also uses the F/A-18 Super Hornet and T-6B Texan II.
  43. ↑ this is a Non-systematic designation as the Vehicle Type 'G' for glider is omitted. If the aircraft was first developed as a special research glider a systematic designation would have been XG (Vehicle Type "G" Glider with Basic Mission "X" Special Research). Once the USN adapted it as a USNTPS trainer a Modified Mission Code of "T" Trainer could have been added for a designation of TXG-26.
  44. ↑ Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/x-26a-frigate-glider>
  45. ↑ Some sources list the TH-67 Creek while others list the OH-58 Kiowa. Both are variants of the Bell 206 Jet Ranger
  46. 1 2 Naval Air Systems Command Fact Sheet<https://www.navair.navy.mil/product/UH-72-Lakota-TH-67-Creek/>

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Embraer, In association with. "2026 World Air Forces directory". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  2. ↑ Jenkins, Dennis R. (2000). F/A-18 Hornet: A Navy Success Story. New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 19–21. ISBN   978-0-07-134696-2.
  3. ↑ "Navy's COD Transition from C-2A to CMV-22B Accelerated; First V-22 Deployment Set for 2021". USNI News. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  4. ↑ Bath, Alison (18 March 2025). "Navy moves to acquire more high-flying Triton surveillance drones". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  5. ↑ "Navy's T-54A brings new era of pilot training". NAVAIR News. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  6. ↑ staff, NAVAIR News (4 August 2020). "Blue Angels squadron receives "new" C-130J". NAVAIR News. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  7. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (21 May 2025). "Buying KC-130Js Key To Navy's Ability To Fight In Pacific: Reserve Boss". TWZ.com. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  8. ↑ staff, NAVAIR News (4 April 2024). "ARTEMIS program receives first repatriated Swiss F-5". NAVAIR News. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
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