Aircraft

All Hands, Jan, 2003

CARRIER-BASED

F/A-I8 Hornet

The F/A-I8 is an all-weather, attack aircraft that can also be used as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-I8 is used primarily as an escort and for fleet air defense. In its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction and close-air support

Wingspan: 37.5 ft.

Length: 56 ft.

Height: 15 ft., 3.5 in.

Speed: Mach 1.8+

Range: 290 nm

Armament: 20mm MK-61 Vulcan cannon; AMRAAM, Sparrow and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles; Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), laser-guided and general purpose bombs; Harpoon and HARM

Crew: one or two

SQUADRONS

Blue Angels

VFA-15 Valions

VFA-22 Fighting Redcocks

VFA-25 Fist of the Fleet

VFA-27 Royal Maces

VFA-37 Bulls

VFA-81 Sunliners

VFA-82 Marauders

VFA-83 Rampagers

VFA-86 Sidewinders

VFA-87 Golden Warriors

VFA-94 Mighty Shrikes

VFA-97 Warhawks

VFA-105 Gunslingers

VFA-106 Gladiators

(Fleet Replacement Squadron)

VFA-113 Stingers

VFA-125 Rough Raiders

(Fleet Replacement Squadron)

VFA-131 Wildcats

VFA-132 Privateers

VFA-136 Knighthawks

VFA-137 Kestrels

VFA-146 Blue Diamonds

VFA-147 Argonauts

VFA-151 Fighting Vigilantes

VFA-192 Golden Dragons

VFA-195 Dambusters

VFA-201 (USNR) Hunters

VFA-203 (USNR)

Blue Dolphins

VFA-204 (USNR) River Rattlers

VFC-12 (USNR)

Fighting Omars

F/A-I8E/F Super Hornet

Both models of the Super Hornet provide the carrier battle group with a strike fighter that has significant growth potential and increased range, endurance and ordnance-carrying capabilities. The "E" is a single-seat aircraft and the "F" is the tandem-seat variant. The Super Hornet is replacing the F-14 on carrier decks.

Wingspan: 44 ft., 8.5 in.

Length: 60 ft., 1.25 in.

Height: 16 ft.

Weight: 66,000 lbs. maximum takeoff

Speed: Mach 1.8+

Ceiling: 50,000 ft.

Range: 462 nm

Armament: 20mm MK-61 Vulcan cannon; AMRAAM, Sparrow and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles; Maverick, Harpoon, Shrike, HARM, SLAM-ER and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); Walleye and other bombs and rockets.

Crew: one or two

SQUADRONS

VFA-14 Tophatters (F/A-18E)

VFA-41 Black Aces (F/A-18F)

VFA-115 Eagles (F/A-18E)

VFA-102 Diamondbacks (F/A-18F)

VFA-122 Flying Eagles

(Fleet Replacement Squadron)

F-14 Tomcat

The F-14 is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep-wing fighter originally designed to attack and destroy enemy aircraft at night and in all weather conditions. The F-14 can track up to 24 targets simultaneously with its advanced weapons control system and engage any of them with one of its six Phoenix missiles while continuing to scan the airspace. Over the years the F-14 has been modified and upgraded to enhance its mission capability. Combined with the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) the F-14 is the only manned TACAIR RECCE platform. In 1996, the LANTIRN Targeting Pod was added, which provides the laser targeting capability that transformed the Tomcat into the precision strike-fighter known today.

Wingspan: 64 ft., 1.5 in.

Length: 62 ft., 8 in.

Height: 16 ft.

Weight: 74,349 lbs. maximum takeoff

Speed: Mach 1.88

Ceiling: 50,000 ft.

Range: 1,600 nm (with external fuel)

Armament: 20mm MK-61 Vulcan cannon; Sparrow, Sidewinder and Phoenix air-to-air missiles; laser-guided and general purpose bombs Crew: two (one pilot, one radar intercept officer)

SQUADRONS

VF-2 Bounty Hunters

VF-11 Red Rippers

VF-31 Tomcatters

VF-32 Swordsmen

VF-101 Grim Reapers

VF-103 Jolly Rogers

VF-143 Pukin' Dogs

VP- 154 Black Knights

VF-211 Checkmates

VF-213 Black Lions

EA-6B Prowler

The EA-6B, a twin-engine, mid-wing aircraft designed for carrier and advanced base operations, is used to provide an umbrella of protection for strike aircraft by jamming enemy radar, electronic data links and communications. The EA-6B is a fully integrated electronic warfare system, combining long-range, all-weather capabilities with advanced electronic countermeasures.

Wingspan: 53 ft.

Length: 59 ft., 10 in.

Height: 16 ft., 3 in.

Weight: 65,000 lbs. Maximum takeoff

Speed: 622 mph

Ceiling: 41,200 ft.

Combat Range: 955 nm

Armament: HARM

Crew: four (one pilot, three electronic warfare officers)

SQUADRONS

VAQ-128 Fighting Phoenix

VAQ-129 Vikings

VAQ-130 Zappers

VAQ-131 Lancers

VAQ-132 Scorpions

VAQ-133 Wizards

VAQ-134 Garudas

VAQ-135 Black Ravens

VAQ-136 Gauntlets

VAQ-137 Rooks

VAQ-138 Yellow Jackets

VAQ-139 Cougars

VAQ-140 Patriots

VAQ-141 Shadowhawks

VAQ-142 Gray Wolves

VAQ-209 (USNR)

Star Warriors

S-3B Viking

The S-3B, a carrier-based jet aircraft used for surface search, tanking, and anti-surface warfare is extremely versatile and is ideally equipped for long range radar, visual, and electronic search, surveillance, and attack around the aircraft carrier battle group.

Wingspan: 68 ft., 8 in.

Length: 53 ft., 4 in.

Height: 22 ft., 9 in.

Weight: 52,539 lbs. maximum design gross weight

Speed: 518 mph

Ceiling: more than 35,000 ft.

Range: more than 2,300 nm (combat)

Armament: torpedoes, bombs, Harpoon, Maverick, SLAM-ER