Aircraft: the following is a list of the most commonly flown aircraft in the Navy's inventory and are the most likely to be encountered by today's Sailor - Owner's & Operator's/Manual 2002

All Hands, Jan, 2002

HSL-41 Seahawks

HSL-42 Proud Warriors

HSL-43 Battle Cats

HSL-44 Swamp Foxes

HSL-45 Wolfpack

HSL-46 Grandmasters

HSL-47 Sabrehawks

HSL-48 Vipers

HSL-49 Scorpions

HSL-51 Warlords

HSL-60(USNR) Jaguars

CH-46 Sea Knight

The CH-46D is a tandem-rotor transport helicopter designed for both land- and sea-based operations. It can accommodate 25 passengers or 15 litters, with two medical attendants or 10,000 lbs. of sling-loaded cargo.

LENGTH: 45 ft., 8 in. (rotors folded) to 84 ft., 4 in. (rotors spread)

HEIGHT: 16. ft., 8 in.

WEIGHT: 24,300 lbs. maximum takeoff

SPEED: 145 knots

CEILING: 10,000 ft.

RANGE: 132 nm

CREW: 4 (pilot, co-pilot, crew chief, mechanic)

SQUADRONS

HC-3 Pack-Rats

HC-5 Providers

HC-6 Chargers

HC-8 Dragon Whales

HC-11 Gunbearers

SH-3 Sea King

The first version of this workhorse anti-submarine warfare helicopter was flown more than 38 years ago. The H-3's versatility was emphasized during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm when 36 Sea Kings, flying from carriers, logged more than 5,000 hours conducting combat SAR, special operations, maritime interdiction operations, logistics support and mine hunting. The SH-3H has been replaced in the fleet by SH-60F and HH-60H aircraft. The UH-3Hs are programmed to be replaced by the CH-60 version of the Sikorsky Blackhawk/Seahawk.

LENGTH: 72 ft.

HEIGHT: 17 ft.

WEIGHT: 21,000 lbs. maximum takeoff

SPEED: 120 knots (cruising)

CEILING: 14,700 ft.

RANGE: 542 nm

ARMAMENT: MK46/50 torpedoes, 7.62mm machine guns

CREW: 4 (two pilots, two crewmen)

SQUADRONS

HC-2 Fleet Angels

HC-11 Gunbearers

HC-85(USNR) Golden Caters

HS-75(USNR) Emerald Knights

VC-8 Redtails

TH-57 Sea Ranger

Thc TH-57 Sea Ranger is used to train several hundred student naval aviators with 45 TH-57Bs (for primary visual flight rules training) and 71 TH-57Cs (for advanced instrument flight rules training) in two helicopter training squadrons at NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Fla. Two TH-57Cs configured for RDT&E are used for photo, chase and utility missions at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Patuxent River, Md.

LENGTH: 39 ft. (rotors turning)

HEIGHT: 10 ft.

WEIGHT: 3,200 lbs. maximum takeoff

SPEED: 138 mph

CEILING: 18,900 ft.

RANGE: 368 nm

CREW: 5 (one pilot, four student pilots)

SQUADRONS

HT-8 Eightballers

HT-18 Vigilant Eagles

MH-53E Sea Dragon

The MH-53E, a mine-counter-measures derivative of the CH-53E Super Stallion, is heavier and has a greater fuel capacity than the Super Stallion. Capable of transporting up to 55 troops, the MH-53E can carry a 16-ton payload 50 nautical miles, or a 10-ton payload 500 nautical miles. In its primary mission of airborne mine countermeasures, the MH-53E is capable of towing a variety of mine-countermeasures systems.

LENGTH: 99 ft. (rotors turning)

HEIGHT: 28 ft., 4 in. (tail rotor turning)

WEIGHT: 21 tons (maximum gross)

SPEED: 196 mph

CEILING: 27,900 ft.

RANGE: 1,120 nm

CREW: 3 to 8 (two pilots, one to six crewmen)

SQUADRONS

HC-4 Black Stallions

HM-14(USNR) Vanguard

HM-15(USNR) Black Hawks

Sources: Navy Fact File: Naval Air Systems Command: Commander, Naval Forces Pacific; Commander, Naval Forces Atlantic, Commander, Naval Air Reserve Force; and the Standard Navy Distribution List.