On May 29, 2024, leaders of the Naval Aviation Enterprise met at the Naval Aviation 3-Star Summit in Maryland. The evening’s theme, “Advancing Naval Aviation Readiness for the High-End Fight,” covered topics such as recruiting and retention, budget challenges, joint capability development, unmanned aviation, and increased automation (involving artificial intelligence). This event was held to keep the public informed on the Navy’s role in national defense, unite industry members, as well as provide dialog on how the Navy intends to keep its fleet up to date with the latest technological advances.
In terms of its aircraft, the U.S. Navy outranks all but three nations in the world with 2,438 total aircraft. The Navy has the sixth most helicopters compared to other global military powers, with with over 600 in its fleet. (There are America’s 15 carrier-borne planes and helicopters.)
Aircraft carriers are considered some of the most valuable military assets in the world, not because of their inherent firepower but because of the fleet of aircraft they carry. The U.S. Navy has 11 aircraft carriers. Each carrier supports a slew of aircraft that fulfill many different roles. Fighter jets, transports and tankers are some of the main staples of U.S. naval aircraft that ultimately support its aircraft carriers and other vessels, making the United States a global military superpower. (Here is every aircraft carrier in U.S. Navy history.)
To identify every aircraft in the U.S. Navy, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ordered these aircraft by how many are currently in active service. We also included supplemental data on the type of aircraft and how many of these aircraft are on order.
Why This Matters
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National defense comes with a hefty price tag. In March 2024, the Navy issued a $1.1 billion contract modification to Boeing for the final 17 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. The F/A-18 Super Hornet is the most widely used aircraft by the U.S. Navy with nearly 600 units in active service. 24/7 is covering the defense industry so that readers can understand where their hard earned tax dollars are going, and which companies (such as multimillion dollar behemoth, Boeing) are profiting from defense contracts.
Scroll below to see every US Navy Aircraft currently in active service:
30. G100/1125 Astra (C-38A)
Source: Cavan-Images / Shutterstock.com
The G100/1125 Astra (C-38A) is used as a training aircraft. There are 2 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
29. Gulfstream IV (C-20G)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Gulfstream IV (C-20G) is a transport aircraft. There are 2 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
28. DHC-2 / DHC-3
Source: lilly3 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
The DHC-2 / DHC-3 is used for training purposes. There are 3 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
27. OH-58
Source: Public Domain / matt_hecht / Flickr
The OH-58 is used for training purposes. There are 3 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
26. Bell 407
Source: Mgroessing / Wikimedia Commons
The Bell 407 is a combat helicopter. There are 5 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
25. H145 (UH-72A)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The H145 (UH-72A) is a training helicopter. There are 5 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
24. P-3C (MPA)
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
The P-3C (MPA) is a special mission aircraft. There are 8 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
23. EP-3E (ELINT)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The EP-3E (ELINT) is a special mission aircraft. There are 9 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
22. Merlin IV/Metro (C-26)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Merlin IV/Metro (C-26) is used for special missions, transport, and training. There are 9 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
21. T-38
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
The T-38 is a training aircraft. There are 10 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
20. KC-130T
Source: kariyamogami / Flickr
The KC-130T is a tanker aircraft. There are 11 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
19. T-34
Source: Ryan Fletcher / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
The T-34 is a training aircraft. There are 15 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
18. 707 (E-6B) (Comms)
Source: Public Domain / Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
The 707 (E-6B) (Comms) is a special mission aircraft. There are 16 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
17. C-130 J/T
Source: rancho_runner / iStock via Getty Images
The C-130 J/T is a transport aircraft. There are 18 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
16. F-16A/B
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The F-16A/B is a training aircraft. There are 22 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
15. C-2
Source: cooke1 / Flickr
The C-2 is a transport aircraft. There are 26 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
14. MH-53E
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
The MH-53E is a combat helicopter. There are 26 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
13. CV/MV-22
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
The CV/MV-22 is a combat helicopter. There are 27 currently active in the Navy with 34 on order.
12. F-5F/N
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The F-5F/N is a training aircraft. There are 31 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
11. F-35C
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The F-35C is a combat and training aircraft. There are 45 currently active in the Navy with 204 on order.
10. AW119 (TH-73A)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The AW119 (TH-73A) is a training helicopter. There are 59 currently active in the Navy with 71 on order.
9. King Air 90/200/260
The King Air 90/200/260 is a transport and raining aircraft. There are 69 currently active in the Navy with 64 on order.
8. E-2C/D (AEW)
Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
The E-2C/D (AEW) is a special mission aircraft. There are 83 currently active in the Navy with 25 on order.
7. Bell 206 (TH-57)
Source: Ynhockey / Wikimedia Commons
The Bell 206 (TH-57) is a training helicopter. There are 113 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
6. 737
The 737 is a special mission and transport aircraft. There are 135 currently active in the Navy with 10 on order.
5. EA-18G (EW)
Source: Public Domain / Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
The EA-18G (EW) is a special mission aircraft. There are 153 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
4. T-45C
Source: Public Domain / Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
The T-45C is a training aircraft. There are 189 currently active in the Navy with 0 on order.
3. T-6 A/B/C
The T-6 A/B/C is a training aircraft. There are 294 currently active in the Navy with 29 on order.
2. S-70
Source: fikretozk / iStock via Getty Images
The S-70 is a combat and training helicopter. There are 458 currently active in the Navy with 3 on order.
1. F/A-18
Source: Public Domain / Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
The F/A-18 is a combat and training aircraft. There are 592 currently active in the Navy with 76 on order.
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