T-6
Texan II: The T- 6Texan II is the Navy's new primary flight school trainer. It is a two seat high performance aircraft equipped with a heads up display (HUD) and martin baker zero zero ejection seats. It is used to introduce SNAs to all the elementary flight principles they will need during there careers. It will also help prepare them for the next stage of training.
T-45C Goshawk: The T-45 is the Navy's primary tail hook trainer. Any aviator who is assigned to the tail hook pipeline (meaning he will fly an aircraft that will operate from a carrier) has to fly and qualify on this air craft. It is a single engine jet with dual cockpits and ejection seats. It is used to practice air combat maneuvering (ACM), basic fighter maneuvers (BFM), bombing practice and carrier landings among other things.
TH-57 Sea Ranger: The TH-57 is the Navy's primary rotary wing trainer. Any student naval aviator assigned to the rotary wing pipeline fly's this helicopter first. It is a fairly simple helicopter to learn how to fly which is why it is used for training. They use this aircraft to practice everything from emergency situations to landings and everything in between that has to deal with piloting this aircraft.
T-34C Turbomentor: The T-34 has been the Navy's primary flight training aircraft for the past few decades. Recently the Navy has started to switch over to the T-6 Texan II which is a much more capable aircraft. It models the high performance aircraft pilots are likely to fly in todays world. It offers them a better training experience because it is equipped with most of the high tech instruments they will see in their fleet aircraft.
TC-12 Huron: The TC-12 is the Navy's multi engine trainer. SNAs assigned to fly E-2C/D, C-2 and other multi engine aircraft will fly this aircraft after the basic T-45 course in which they practice carrier landings.
C-12 Huron: This aircraft is used to ferry around high ranking officials.
C-9 Skytrain: This aircraft is used for personnel transportation and logistics.
C-21 Lear Jet: Used for logistics, transportation of personnel and transportation of high ranking officials.
SH-60 Sea Hawk: The SH-60 is the Navy's main antisubmarine helicopter. It can also preform search and rescue, vert reps (vertical replacements) insertion and extraction of special forces and other missions.
F/A-18C Hornet: The F/A-18C is one of the Navy's fighter attack aircraft. It is used for fleet defense, ground attack, close air support, dogfighting and sometime reconnaissance. This is an earlier version of the E/F models. It is less technologically advanced, smaller and carriers fewer weapons. The Super Hornet has take over this role for the most part. This aircraft will soon be fazed out and replaced by the F-35C. No more aviators are being trained on the platform.
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is the Navy's latest and greatest in tried and tested aircraft. It has been in the fleet for over ten years. It is the most technologically advanced and best fighter the Navy has it its disposal at the present time. foreseeable future. There is a two seat version, the F model, which has a weapon systems operator (WSO) is the back seat. The E model is the single seat variant. They are capable of preforming the same types of missions. They have largely take over the role of the F/A-18C. They have been proven in combat and will continue to protect the fleet and fulfill its fighter/ attack role for the
EA-6B Prowler: The EA-6B is a electronic attack aircraft. It is currently being fazed out and replaced by the EA-18G (below). There are still a few operational squadrons that deploy but soon they will all be gone. No more aviators are being trained on the platform.
EA -18G Growler: The EA-18G is the Navy's new and upcoming electronic attack aircraft. It is better than the EA-6B in almost everyway. For logistical simplicity it uses the F/A-18E/F airframe, main systems, avionics and flight systems. It has already been deployed and tested in combat.
EP-3E Aries II: The EP-3E is the Navy's primary submarine hunting aircraft. It has the ability to search a large area of ocean with is 30+ sonar buoys that can be dropped out the rear of the aircraft to listen for submarines. It is also extensively used in reconnaissance and search and rescue. It has the latest equipment on board and many of its missions and technology are highly classified. The EP-3E is currently being replaced by the P-8.
P-8 Poseidon: The P-8 is replacing the EP-3E. This aircraft has upgraded avionics, airframe, flight system and sub hunting/ reconnaissance technology. It will still fulfill the same mission, but with the advances made since the EP-3E was developed it will be able to do it better in every way.
C-2 Greyhound: The C-2 is used for carrier onboard delivery operations. It can transport personnel, gear, food, mail etc. on or off of the carrier.
F-35C Lightning II: The F-35C is the Navy's version in the F-35 program. The Air Force, Marines and Navy have all entered this program to receive the next generation fighter attack aircraft. The Navy version is outfitted for carrier landings, the Marine's has VSTOL (Vertical and/or Short Takeoff and Landing) capabilities meaning it will be to operate almost anywhere. It will be replacing the Harrier and F/A-18C/D. The Air Force version is outfitted for normal landings. This aircraft is still in the initial testing stages and the expected date if its fleet arrival keeps increasing.
MH-53E Sea Dragon: This aircraft is used by the Navy for mine hunting and clearing. It can also transport cargo or personnel. It is the largest helicopter in the Navy. They are often used in relief mission because of there immense size and cargo carrying capability.
MH-60 Sea Hawk: The MH-60 is used in search and rescue, vert reps and shuttling of personnel. Whenever flight operations are in progress on a carrier a MH-60 is standing by in the air just incase a pilot has to eject while landing. This aircraft is similar to the SH-60. It can be configured with weapons if need be.
E-2C/D Hawkeye: The E-2C/D is the Navy's radar warning aircraft. It relays radar information and positions of enemy/ friendly contacts to the battle group or other aircraft. It helps to extend the rage of the battle groups situational awareness and can also preform reconnaissance to gather vital information.