This Fighter Jet Makes Up Almost Half of the Navy’s Aircraft

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The U.S. Navy is home to one of the largest air forces in the world, second only to the U.S. Air Force. The backbone of the Navy’s arsenal of aircraft is the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. These jets are equipped with advanced avionics and weapons systems and are designed for strike missions, air superiority, and aerial reconnaissance. These Super Hornets have proven to be essential in combat aircraft missions across the world. (These are the most widely used fighter jets on Earth. )

Here, 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer look at the U.S. Navy's fleet of aircraft. To identify the most widely used aircraft 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 by the number of units in active service. Additionally, we’ve included supplemental information on the type of aircraft, how many are in active service, top speed and armament. We have excluded training aircraft and helicopters from this list.

Another key component of the Navy's fleet of aircraft is the EA-18G Growler. This fighter jet is designed specifically for advanced electronic warfare and is generally tasked with jamming enemy radar and communication systems. It is an essential aircraft for ensuring air superiority in contested environments. The Growler is another variation of the Super Hornet and it features advanced radar and onboard electronic systems that offer capabilities beyond just targeting.

There are a number of other aircraft with the Navy's arsenal, each playing a unique and important role for the functionality of the military as a whole. (These are the U.S. Navy's newest ships in June 2024. )

Here is a look at the most widely flown aircraft by 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.

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