Why the U.S. Navy Can’t Quit This 89-Year-Old Flying Legend

Type: Training aircraft
Active in Navy: 2 (tied)
First flight: August 1947

If you’re unfamiliar with the sizes of United States military branches, it will be a surprise that the US is home to the two largest air forces worldwide, the Navy and Air Force. As a result, the US can put significant firepower on a target anywhere in the world, wherever the Commander-in-Chief declares. Of course, it’s not just newer aircraft the US Navy still works with, as older planes still have plenty of fight left in them.

How Many US Navy Planes?

With more than 4,012 naval aircraft in service, the US Navy is as formidable in the air as at sea. Of course, not all of these planes are combat-ready as many functions as transportation, surveillance, maritime patrol, early earning command and control, and electronic warfare disruptors.

Still, it's hard to ignore the size of the US Navy's aerial force if you're considering engaging the United States in combat. While the Air Force is still significant, at over 5,500 aircraft, the Navy is equally dangerous. Combined with this, the United States's air superiority is unmatched by any other nation in the world.

Most Used Navy Aircraft

As of the latest available data, the F/A-18 Super Hornet is one of the most widely used aircraft in the US Navy. Even more so than the EA-18 Growler, which offers the Navy 153 different mission-ready aircraft.