This Is Every Aircraft Currently in Service of the US Navy

This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase anything through these affiliated links, 247wallst.com may earn a commission.

24/7 Wall St. Insights:

• The U.S. Navy boasts a wide array of combat and logistical aircraft
• The F/A-18 Super Hornet is one of the most iconic Navy aircraft, it was introduced in the late 1990s
• The Super Hornet comes standard with a 20mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon. It can further be outfitted with an array of missiles and joint direct attack munitions, including Sidewinders, Harpoons, Mavericks, and AMRAAMs
• Also: Discover the next Nvidia

By far and away, the U.S. Navy is the strongest maritime force on the planet. The Navy owes much of this to its impressive fleet of destroyers, submarines, and aircraft carriers. However as a standalone force, its air power is one of the strongest in the world as well. Boasting some of the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world that can be deployed from aircraft carriers or land bases, the Navy has a vast array of aircraft at its disposal. (These are the newest aircraft carriers in U.S. Navy history. )

24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the Navy's arsenal of aircraft both combat and logistical. To identify every aircraft flown by the U.S. Navy, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website, and ranked the aircraft alphabetically. Additionally, we’ve included supplemental information on the type of aircraft, how many are in active service, top speed and armament. We have excluded all trainer aircraft.

The F/A-18 Super Hornet is perhaps one of the most iconic aircraft currently in service of the Navy today. It has been a mainstay since the late 1990s and it is widely known for its versatility. These jets come standard with twin General Electric F414-GE-400 engines, which deliver a staggering 22,000 pounds of thrust, enabling speeds up to Mach 1.6, or about 1,200 mph.

In terms of its armament, the Super Hornet comes standard with a 20mm M61A2 Vulcan cannon. It can further be outfitted with an array of missiles and joint direct attack munitions, including Sidewinders, Harpoons, Mavericks, and AMRAAMs. ( The Super Hornet is one of the most heavily armed Navy aircraft. )

At the same time, the Navy's fleet has made some new additions with the F-35 Lightning II, specifically the carrier-based C-variant. This fifth-generation fighter jet pushes the envelope with advanced stealth capabilities and advanced avionics.

However, these jets do not come cheap, the cost for the F-35 ranges depending on the variant and is fairly high compared to other fighter jets. The F-35A is the stock standard variant and costs roughly $110 million per unit. The B variant costs slightly more at around $136 million per unit but it incorporates a short take-off and vertical landing system, which allows it to take off from extremely short runways as well land vertically. The C variant is designed to be launched from aircraft carriers and costs about $117 million per unit.

What makes the F-35 Lightning II special is that it brings next-level features like stealth, maneuverability, and the ability to cruise at supersonic speeds without afterburners. Also, it's versatile with its weapons load, and capable of carrying up to 18,000 pounds of munitions.

Like the Super Hornet, the F-35 is armed with a 25mm GAU-22/A cannon and can be equipped with various missiles and munitions, showcasing its readiness to dominate modern combat scenarios.

The Super Hornet and F-35 Lightning II are just two aircraft in service of the U.S. Navy. There's a number of other combat and logistical aircraft that fill out its fleet.

Here is a look at every aircraft in the U.S. Navy: Why Are We Covering This?

24/7 would like our readers to understand where their tax dollars are being spent. The Navy received $202.6 billion in government funding in 2024, second only to the Air Force at $216.1. billion. In fiscal year 2025, the Navy has requested $16.6 billion of its funding to purchase 75 aircraft and helicopters, which is actually slightly less than in 2024.

Want to Retire Early? Start Here ^(Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE . By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.