The films “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Top Gun” captured the hearts and minds of audiences across the U.S. with their gripping tale of Tom Cruise playing a Navy fighter pilot. The story of an elite unit of fighter pilots showcases the bravery, dedication, and camaraderie that many have come to expect among soldiers of the U.S. armed forces. Though the tale is fictional, it is based on the remarkable historical performance of U.S. Navy aviators in conflicts across the globe.
The United States Navy has maintained dominance of the seas since World War II, owing in large part to its carrier-based fleet of warplanes. Navy warships expand the U.S. military’s footprint across the globe, and the Navy’s warplanes extend this reach even further. Here is a look at all the active planes in the U.S. Navy. (Also see, the world’s 20 fastest warplanes.)
To identify all of the planes in active service in the U.S. Navy, 24/7 Wall St. referenced the 2023 report World Air Forces from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website. We ranked aircrafts by the number of units in active service. Supplemental data regarding the type of aircraft, how many are in active service, and how many are on order came from FlightGlobal. Data on each aircraft’s first flight came from various military and historical sources.
The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and its predecessor, the F/A-18 Hornet, are the backbone of the Navy’s combat aviation fleet. These fighter jets are designed for air superiority, strike missions, and aerial reconnaissance. Equipped with sophisticated avionics and weapon systems, F/A-18s have proven to be indispensable combat aircraft in various engagements worldwide.
Additionally, the F-35C Lightning II, a multi-role stealth fighter, is part of the next generation and addition to the fleet. Developed by Lockheed Martin, this aircraft incorporates the latest technologies, making it among the most advanced fighters on the planet. (These are the most expensive planes made for the U.S. Navy.)
Another essential part of the Navy’s aerial arsenal is the EA-18G Growler, an advanced electronic warfare aircraft. Generally tasked with jamming enemy radar and communication systems, the Growler is an essential aircraft for ensuring air superiority in contested environments. These aircraft feature advanced radar and onboard electronic systems that offer capabilities beyond just targeting.
Outside of the combat-specific aircraft, the Boeing P-8 Poseidon serves as a key component of the Navy’s patrol and strike capabilities. These aircraft play a role in tracking and targeting submarines and surface ships.
The U.S. Navy’s current warplanes serve a number of roles, ranging from air supremacy to maritime control. The combination combat fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft, and even electronic warfare planes create an incredible adversary for any enemy. Here’s a look at all the planes in active service in the U.S. Navy.
Click here to see all the planes in the U.S. Navy.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
25. C-130 Super Hercules
> Type: Transport
> Active in Navy: 1 (tied)
> First flight: April 1996
> On order for the Navy:
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Source: lilly3 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
24. de Havilland DHC-3 Otter
> Type: Training aircraft
> Active in Navy: 1 (tied)
> First flight: December 1951
> On order for the Navy:
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Source: Kristian1108 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
23. de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
> Type: Training aircraft
> Active in Navy: 2 (tied)
> First flight: August 1947
> On order for the Navy:
Source: Public Domain / Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
22. Gulfstream C-20
> Type: Transport
> Active in Navy: 2 (tied)
> First flight: September 1985
> On order for the Navy:
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21. KC-130 Hercules
> Type: Tanker
> Active in Navy: 10 (tied)
> First flight: January 1960
> On order for the Navy:
Source: Ryan Fletcher / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
20. Northrop T-38 Talon
> Type: Training aircraft
> Active in Navy: 10 (tied)
> First flight: March 1959
> On order for the Navy:
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
19. EP-3 Ares II
> Type: Special mission
> Active in Navy: 11
> First flight: November 2002
> On order for the Navy:
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18. Beechcraft C-12 Huron
> Type: Transport
> Active in Navy: 13 (tied)
> First flight: October 1972
> On order for the Navy:
Source: Ryan Fletcher / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
17. Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
> Type: Training aircraft
> Active in Navy: 13 (tied)
> First flight: December 1948
> On order for the Navy:
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Source: my_public_domain_photos / Flickr
16. F-16 Fighting Falcon
> Type: Training aircraft
> Active in Navy: 14
> First flight: January 1974
> On order for the Navy:
Source: AllenJMSmith / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
15. Boeing E-6 Mercury
> Type: Special mission
> Active in Navy: 16
> First flight: February 1987
> On order for the Navy:
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14. C-40 Clipper
> Type: Transport
> Active in Navy: 17 (tied)
> First flight: April 2000
> On order for the Navy:
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Source: NNehring / E+ via Getty Images
13. C-130 Hercules
> Type: Transport
> Active in Navy: 17 (tied)
> First flight: August 1954
> On order for the Navy:
Source: viper-zero / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
12. Martin P-3 Orion
> Type: Special mission
> Active in Navy: 17 (tied)
> First flight: November 1959
> On order for the Navy:
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Source: Public Domain / Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
11. C-2 Greyhound
> Type: Transport
> Active in Navy: 30
> First flight: November 1964
> On order for the Navy:
Source: my_public_domain_photos / Flickr
10. F-5 Freedom Fighter
> Type: Training aircraft
> Active in Navy: 31
> First flight: July 1959
> On order for the Navy:
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Source: my_public_domain_photos / Flickr
9. F-35 Lightning II
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Active in Navy: 35
> First flight: December 2006
> On order for the Navy: 216
Source: Public Domain / Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
8. F/A-18 Hornet
> Type: Training aircraft
> Active in Navy: 52
> First flight: November 1978
> On order for the Navy:
7. Beechcraft Super King Air
> Type: Training aircraft
> Active in Navy: 56
> First flight: October 1972
> On order for the Navy:
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6. E-2 Hawkeye
> Type: Special mission
> Active in Navy: 73
> First flight: October 1960
> On order for the Navy: 34
5. Boeing P-8 Poseidon
> Type: Special mission
> Active in Navy: 116
> First flight: April 2009
> On order for the Navy: 12
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Source: Public Domain / Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
4. EA-18G Growler
> Type: Special mission
> Active in Navy: 152
> First flight: August 2006
> On order for the Navy:
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Source: my_public_domain_photos / Flickr
3. T-45 Goshawk
> Type: Training aircraft
> Active in Navy: 189
> First flight: April 1988
> On order for the Navy:
2. T-6 Texan
> Type: Training aircraft
> Active in Navy: 293
> First flight: April 1935
> On order for the Navy: 29
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1. F/A-18 Super Hornet
> Type: Combat aircraft, training aircraft
> Active in Navy: 547
> First flight: November 1995
> On order for the Navy: 76
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