How Many Fighter Jets on a US Aircraft Carrier?
Introduction
The United States Navy’s aircraft carriers are the backbone of its power projection capabilities, serving as a floating airbase capable of launching and recovering numerous aircraft. The number of fighter jets on a US aircraft carrier can vary depending on the type of aircraft carrier, its mission requirements, and the operational conditions. In this article, we will explore the average number of fighter jets that can be carried by the different types of US aircraft carriers.
Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carriers
The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers are the largest and most advanced warships in the world, serving as the primary carriers for the US Navy’s operational fighter jets. These vessels can carry around 60-70 fighter jets, including:
- F/A-18E/F Super Hornets
- F/A-18C Hornets
- F-35C Lightning IIs (as they become available)
- E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft
- UH-1Y/N Sea Hawk helicopters
- AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters
| Aircraft | Number |
|---|---|
| F/A-18E/F Super Hornets | 8-10 |
| F/A-18C Hornets | 10-12 |
| F-35C Lightning IIs | 10-15 |
| E-2C Hawkeye | 2-3 |
| UH-1Y/N Sea Hawk | 4-6 |
| AH-1Z Viper | 8-10 |
Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers
The Ford-class aircraft carriers, also known as CVN-78 and beyond, are the latest and most advanced aircraft carriers built by the US Navy. They are designed to replace the Nimitz-class carriers and feature improved technological advancements. The Ford-class carriers can carry around 60-70 fighter jets, including:
- F/A-18E/F Super Hornets
- F/A-18C Hornets
- F-35C Lightning IIs
- E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft
- UH-1Y/N Sea Hawk helicopters
- AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters
| Aircraft | Number |
|---|---|
| F/A-18E/F Super Hornets | 8-10 |
| F/A-18C Hornets | 10-12 |
| F-35C Lightning IIs | 10-15 |
| E-2D Advanced Hawkeye | 2-3 |
| UH-1Y/N Sea Hawk | 4-6 |
| AH-1Z Viper | 8-10 |
Wasp-Class Amphibious Assault Ships
The Wasp-class amphibious assault ships (LHD) are capable of carrying around 20-30 fighter jets, including:
- AV-8B Harrier IIs
- F-35B Lightning II STOVL (as they become available)
- EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft
- E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft
- CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopters
- AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters
| Aircraft | Number |
|---|---|
| AV-8B Harrier IIs | 10-12 |
| F-35B Lightning II STOVL | 6-8 |
| EA-6B Prowler | 2-3 |
| E-2C Hawkeye | 2-3 |
| CH-53E Sea Stallion | 8-10 |
| AH-1Z Viper | 8-10 |
Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Ships
The America-class LHD ships and the San Antonio-class LSD (Landing Ship, Dock) ships are medium-sized amphibious assault vessels. They can carry around 10-15 fighter jets, including:
- AV-8B Harrier IIs
- F-35B Lightning II STOVL (as they become available)
- EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft
- UH-1Y/N Sea Hawk helicopters
- AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters
| Aircraft | Number |
|---|---|
| AV-8B Harrier IIs | 4-6 |
| F-35B Lightning II STOVL | 2-4 |
| EA-6B Prowler | 2-3 |
| UH-1Y/N Sea Hawk | 2-4 |
| AH-1Z Viper | 4-6 |
Conclusion
The number of fighter jets on a US aircraft carrier varies depending on the class of the carrier and the operational requirements. The Nimitz-class and Ford-class aircraft carriers can carry the largest number of fighter jets, while the smaller LHD and LSD ships have a more limited capacity. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-35C Lightning II are the primary fighter jets used on the US aircraft carriers, with the F-35C becoming increasingly prominent. The US Navy’s fighter jets play a crucial role in its power projection capabilities, and the number of jets on each carrier affects the overall effectiveness of these warships.
