With a flight deck that can stretch nearly the length of three football fields, aircraft carriers are like floating airports, fully equipped to launch and recover airplanes and helicopters worldwide. They also carry thousands of crew members, weapons, bombs, and fuel. (These are the 7 world powers with aircraft carriers.)
Aircraft carriers are instrumental in warfare, particularly in many World War II battles. In fact, this June marks the 80th anniversary of the WWII Battle of the Philippine Sea, the largest carrier-to-carrier conflict the world has ever seen. In 1944, the United States invaded the Mariana Islands and destroyed many of Japan’s aircraft carriers. Due to this monumental loss, Japan had no choice but to cease using aircraft carriers and turn to other forms of combat.
Today, the United States Navy has the largest fleet of aircraft carriers in the world. This impressive fleet is nuclear-powered, allowing them to remain at sea for years without returning to land for fuel.
To identify which planes and helicopters fly on today’s American aircraft carriers, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. We focused only on aircraft currently used by the U.S. military, verified by multiple sources. We then ordered our list from the oldest to the newest carrier-based aircraft. Additional details also came from Military Factory, such as the year the aircraft entered service, its crew size, manufacturer, production numbers, top speed, and any known variants.
One of the most technologically advanced carrier-based aircraft in operation is the F-35C Lightning II, a fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter jet. The F/A-18 Super Hornet, on the other hand, is one of the most common fighters on American aircraft carriers. However, in 2025 Boeing reportedly plans to cease production, making way for the Navy’s upcoming sixth-generation F-35 fighter. (Here are 12 stealth planes used by global superpowers.)
Why We’re Covering This
Source: United States Navy U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaylianna Genier, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Aircraft carriers are often based in international waters, and strategic deployments can convey American intentions toward specific regions or countries. In addition, America’s impressive fleet of aircraft carriers demonstrates the country’s ability to project power around the world. This can have significant impacts on international relations and potentially even trigger fluctuations in global markets and investments.
These are the American planes that fly on aircraft carriers today.
CH-47 Chinook
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
The CH-47 Chinook has a three-person crew and a top speed of 180 mph. It was manufactured by Boeing and entered service in 1962. There are 513 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the CH-47A (base model) and the MH-47D (special operations model).
Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion
Source: pavdw / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr
The Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion has a three-person crew and a top speed of 196 mph. It was manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft and entered service in 1966. There are 140 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the CH-53A (base model) and the VH-53D (VIP transport).
Grumman C-2 Greyhound
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Grumman C-2 Greyhound has a four-person crew and a top speed of 331 mph. It was manufactured by Northrop Grumman and entered service in 1967. There are 30 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the C-2A (initial production model).
Bell AH-1 SuperCobra
Source: kitmasterbloke / Flickr
The Bell AH-1 SuperCobra has a two-person crew and a top speed of 173 mph. It was manufactured by Bell and entered service in 1971. There are 159 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the AH-1J (SeaCobra) and the AH-1Z (Viper).
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
Source: guvendemir / iStock via Getty Images
The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk has a two-person crew and a top speed of 183 mph. It was manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft and entered service in 1979. There are 493 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the MH-60 (Knighthawk) and the SH-60 (Seahawk).
Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion has a five-person crew and a top speed of 196 mph. It was manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft and entered service in 1981. There are 35 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the CH-53K (King Stallion) and the MH-53E (Sea Dragon).
F/A-18 Hornet
Source: JohnnyPowell / E+ via Getty Images
The F/A-18 Hornet has a one to two-person crew and a top speed of 1,190 mph. It was manufactured by Boeing and entered service in 1983. There are 236 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the F/A-18D (two-seat model) and the F/A-18E (Super Hornet).
AV-8B Harrier II
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The AV-8B Harrier II has a one-person crew and a top speed of 665 mph. It was manufactured by Boeing / BAE Systems and entered service in 1985. There are 99 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the TAV-8B (two-seat trainer) and the AV-8B (Harrier II Night Attack).
T-45 Goshawk
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The T-45 Goshawk has a two-person crew and a top speed of 645 mph. It was manufactured by BAE Systems / Boeing and entered service in 1991. There are 189 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the T-45A (base trainer) and the T-45C (current standardized Goshawk).
F/A-18 Super Hornet
Source: usnavy / Flickr
The F/A-18 Super Hornet has a one to two-person crew and a top speed of 1,187 mph. It was manufactured by Boeing and entered service in 1999. There are 547 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the F/A-18E (single-seat model) and the F/A-18E/F (Advanced Super Hornet).
Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey
Source: viper-zero / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey has a three-person crew and a top speed of 316 mph. It was manufactured by Boeing / Bell and entered service in 2007. There are 360 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the V-22 (base series) and the CMV-22B (long-ranged V-22 model).
Bell UH-1Y Venom
Source: viper-zero / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
The Bell UH-1Y Venom has a one-person crew and a top speed of 190 mph. It was manufactured by Bell and entered service in 2009. There are 129 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the Bell UH-1 Huey and the Bell UH-1Y Venom.
Boeing EA-18G Growler
Source: usairforce / Public Domain / Flickr
The Boeing EA-18G Growler has a two-person crew and a top speed of 1,181 mph. It was manufactured by Boeing and entered service in 2009. There are 152 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the EA-18G (base series), and the Block II.
E-2D Hawkeye
Source: usnavy / Flickr
The E-2D Hawkeye has a five-person crew and a top speed of 404 mph. It was manufactured by Northrop Grumman and entered service in 2014. There are 73 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the Hawkeye and the Advanced Hawkeye.
F-35 Lightning II
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The F-35 Lightning II has a one-person crew and a top speed of 1,199 mph. It was manufactured by Lockheed Martin and entered service in 2016. There are 162 aircraft in active service. Its variants include the F-35A (conventional), the F-35B (STOVL), and the F-35C (carrier-based).
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