TAB 16    Naval Aircraft

Naval aviation is a critical component of the Navy’s ability to carry out full-spectrum operations—from delivering humanitarian assistance and disaster relief at home and overseas, to maritime security operations to ensure safe passage of commercial vessels, to high-intensity sea control and power projection in a major contingency. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft operating from nuclear aircraft carriers, large-deck amphibious ships and shore stations, and helicopters operating from amphibious ships, cruisers, and destroyers—complemented by advanced unmanned aerial vehicles—are key contributors to the capabilities of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Major Topics Covered:

           Principles of Flight

           Aircraft Nomenclature

           Types of Naval Aircraft

           Identifying Aircraft

           Aircraft Organization

To Learn More:

            www.usni.org/BlueAndGoldProfessionalBooks/TheBluejacketsManual

            Airman (NAVEDTRA 14014A)

            Navy Program Guide (current year)

            How We Fight: Handbook for the Naval Warfighter, available from U.S. Government Printing Office and online at http://navyreading.dodlive.mil/files/2015/08/HWF-Book-Combined-Final-27-Apr-15.pdf

Associated Tabs:

            TAB 16-A: Types of Naval Aircraft

            TAB 16-B: Identifying Military Aircraft

16-A    Types of Naval Aircraft

For cross-reference purposes, aircraft are presented alphabetically by names with their designations following. Types of aircraft are then discussed in more detail arranged alphabetically by their letter-number designations.

 

Aries II	EP-3E
Blackjack	RQ-21A
Clipper	C-40A
Fire Scout, Navy	MQ-8B
Goshawk	T-45A/C
Greyhound	C-2A
Growler	EA-18G
Harrier	AV-8B
Hawkeye	E-2C/D
Hercules	C-130T / KC-130J
Hornet	F/A-18 C/D
Huron	C-12
King Stallion	CH-53K
Lightning II	F-35A/B/C
Mercury	E-6B
Navy Fire Scout	MQ-8B
Orion	P-3C
Osprey	MV-22 B/C
Pegasus	T-44C
Poseidon	P-8A
Prowler	EA-6B
Sea Dragon	MH-53E
Sea Hawk	MH-60R/MH-60S/SH-60F
Sea Ranger	TH-57 B/C
Shadow	RQ-7B
Stingray	MQ-25A
Super Hornet	F/A-18E/F
Super Stallion	CH-53E
Texan II	T-6A/B
Tiger	F-5N/F
Turbomentor	T-34C
Venom	UH-1Y
Viper	AH-1Z

AH-1Z VIPER

This cutting-edge attack helicopter delivers state-of-the-art dynamics, weapons, and avionics to incorporate the latest in survivability. With anti-armor capability, it engages and defeats a broad array of threats at impressive standoff ranges. Whether it’s providing cover for advancing ground forces or escorting assault support helicopters en route to a landing zone, the AH-1Z is called on when Marines need serious firepower from the air.

AV-8B HARRIER

A single-seat, light attack aircraft that supports Marine operations ashore by attacking surface targets and escorting friendly aircraft. It can operate day or night in all weather conditions and its vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) capability allow it to operate from a variety of amphibious ships, rapidly constructed expeditionary airfields, and damaged conventional airfields.

[16-A-1] AH-1Z Viper

[16-A-2] AV-8B Harrier

C-2A GREYHOUND

Provides critical logistics support to carrier strike groups. Its primary mission is the transport of high-priority cargo, mail, and passengers between carriers and shore bases, and it can deliver a combined payload of ten thousand pounds over a distance of more than one thousand nautical miles. The interior arrangement of the cabin can readily accommodate cargo, passengers, and litter patients. Priority cargo such as jet engines can be transported from shore to ship in a matter of hours. A cargo cage system or transport stand provides restraint for loads during launches and landings.

C-12 HURON

A military variant of the commercial King Air series aircraft that incorporates a cargo door with an integral air-stair door to permit easy entry and egress. The flight deck and cabin are pressurized for high altitude flight, and with an effective payload capacity of up to 4,215 pounds, the cabin can readily be configured to accommodate passengers, cargo, or both. The mission of the C-12 Huron is to provide rapid, high-priority movement of personnel and cargo; range clearance, courier flights, medical evacuation and humanitarian rescue; multi-engine pilot training; and testing assets.

[16-A-3] C-2A Greyhound

[16-A-4] C-12 Huron

C-20G

A military variant of the commercial Gulfstream IV aircraft with a cargo door that provides long-range, medium airlift logistics support for fleet battle groups.

C-26

A military variant of the commercial Model SA-227-DC (Metro 23) aircraft series manufactured by Fairchild Aircraft Corporation. The cabin can be configured to accommodate up to nineteen passengers, two and a half tons of cargo, or a combination of both. Two variants—the RC-26D and the EC-26D—are used to support operations at missile firing ranges.

C-37

Variations of this modified commercial Gulfstream aircraft provide executive transport to the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations, and other executive-level personnel.

C-40A CLIPPER

Provides critical logistics support to the Navy. Ordered by the Navy to replace its fleet of C-9B Skytrains, the C-40A is the newest logistics aircraft to join the Navy.

[16-A-5] C-20G

[16-A-6] C-40A Clipper

C-130T HERCULES

The primary mission of the Hercules, often called “the workhorse of the fleet,” is to satisfy Navy-specific fleet essential airlift requirements worldwide, to include a flexible response to the fleet and short-notice operational requirements for both training and deployed units. The C-130T operates from shore installations to provide intratheater logistics support for all aspects of naval power. A four-engine, turbo-prop aircraft capable of landing and taking off from short, rough dirt runways, it can transport up to ninety-two personnel, or 42,000 pounds of cargo, and can be configured to perform air medical evacuation missions carrying up to seventy litters.

CH-53E SUPER STALLION

This heavy-lift helicopter has been in service since the 1980s and is being replaced by the CH-53K King Stallion. (See MH-53E for another variant of this venerable fleet workhorse.)

[16-A-7] C-130T Hercules, here configured as the Blue Angels support aircraft known to many as “Fat Albert”

[16-A-8] CH-53E Super Stallion

CH-53K KING STALLION

This helicopter will eventually replace the aging Super Stallions to provide essential heavy-lift capabilities. The King Stallion has more powerful engines with greater lift and endurance capabilities. Among its many capabilities, this aircraft is capable of transporting thirty combat-loaded troops.

E-2C/D HAWKEYE

The E-2 Hawkeye is the Navy’s all-weather, carrier-based, tactical battle management, airborne early warning, command-and-control aircraft. The Hawkeye provides all-weather airborne early warning, airborne battle management, and command and control functions for the carrier strike group and joint force commander. Additional missions include surface surveillance coordination, air interdiction, offensive and defensive counter air control, close air support coordination, time-critical strike coordination, search-and-rescue airborne coordination, and communications relay.

The E-2C is gradually being replaced by the more advanced E-2D, but E-2Cs will continue to serve until at least 2023.

[16-A-9] E-2C/D Hawkeye

E-6B MERCURY

Provides a survivable communications link between national decision-makers and the country’s arsenal of strategic nuclear weapons. The E-6B enables the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense to directly contact submarines, bombers, and missile silos protecting our national security through deterrence.

EA-6B PROWLER

A twin-engine aircraft designed for carrier and advanced base operations, the Prowler provides an umbrella of protection for strike aircraft, ground troops, and ships by jamming air defense systems and communications. Its primary mission is suppression of enemy air defenses in support of strike aircraft and ground troops by interrupting enemy electronic activity and obtaining tactical electronic intelligence within the combat area.

EA-18G GROWLER

A variant of the U.S. Navy F/A-18F two-crew strike fighter airframe, the EA-18G combines the combat-proven F/A-18F strike fighter platform with an advanced airborne electronic attack suite. Its mission is identical to the EA-6B and will eventually replace that airframe in the Navy.

[16-A-10] E-6B Mercury

[16-A-11] EA-6B Prowler

[16-A-12] EA-18G Growler

EP-3E ARIES II

The Navy’s only land-based signals intelligence (SIGINT) reconnaissance aircraft. The EP-3E is based on the P-3 Orion airframe and provides fleet and theater commanders near-real-time tactical SIGINT worldwide. With sensitive receivers and high-gain dish antennas, the EP-3E exploits a wide range of electronic emissions from deep within targeted territory.

F-35A/B/C LIGHTNING II

Also known as the “Joint Strike Fighter,” this highly sophisticated fighter aircraft combines advanced stealth capabilities with cutting-edge sensor components that make the aircraft difficult for enemies to detect and even more difficult to defeat. The F-35A version is a “conventional takeoff and landing” (CTOL) variant (i.e., uses runways) that is used primarily by the Air Force. The F-35B variant is a “short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) that is designed to operate from short-field bases or air-capable ships. The F-35C variant is designed to take off and land primarily from aircraft carriers using catapult and arresting-wire technology.

[16-A-13] EP-3E Aries II

F/A-18C/D HORNET

The F/A-18 is an all-weather attack aircraft that can also be used as a fighter. In its fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as an escort and for fleet air defense. In its attack mode, it is used to attack ashore and afloat targets for force projection and to support forces ashore.

F/A-18E/F SUPER HORNET

The F/A-18E/F is an all-weather fighter/attack aircraft that looks to the untrained eye much like the F/A-18C/D Hornet but is actually a larger, more capable aircraft. One way to tell which aircraft you are seeing is that the Hornet has rounded air intakes under the forward edge of the wings, while the Super Hornet’s air intakes are angular (almost square). The “E” version is a single-seat aircraft, and the “F” version has a two-person crew.

[16-A-14] F-35B Lightning II

[16-A-15] F/A-18C Hornet

[16-A-16] F/A-18E Super Hornet

KC-130J HERCULES

A multi-mission tactical tanker and assault support aircraft that can conduct in-flight refuelings or be reconfigured to deliver precision firepower.

MH-53E SEA DRAGON

A mine-countermeasures derivative of the CH-53E Super Stallion, this version is heavier and has a greater fuel capacity than the Super Stallion. Capable of transporting up to fifty-five troops, the MH-53E can carry a 16-ton payload fifty nautical miles, or a 10-ton payload five hundred nautical miles. In its primary mission of airborne mine countermeasures, the MH-53E is capable of towing a variety of mine countermeasures systems.

MH-60R SEA HAWK

The MH-60R continues the legacy of the SH-60B mission by conducting ASW and ASUW from the decks of cruisers, destroyers, and frigates, and also deploys as a carrier-based squadron. The MH-60R adds a dipping sonar, multimode inverse synthetic aperture radar, enhanced electronic support measures, self-defense suite, digital torpedoes, and air-to-ground weapons. Additional missions include search and rescue, medical evacuation, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, and communications relay.

[16-A-17] KC-130J Hercules refueling two helicopters

[16-A-18] MH-53E Sea Dragon

[16-A-19] MH-60R Sea Hawk

MH-60S SEA HAWK

A twin-engine helicopter used for anti-surface warfare, naval special warfare support, special operations support, combat search and rescue, search and rescue, logistics, drug interdiction, anti-piracy operations, humanitarian relief operations, and airborne mine countermeasures. The MH-60S also has an upgraded weapons system that allows it to deploy as a gunship in support of the anti-surface warfare mission area.

MQ-8B FIRE SCOUT

An unmanned aerial vehicle, the Fire Scout has the ability to autonomously take off from and land on any aviation-capable warship that is equipped with the appropriate ship control station and also at unprepared landing zones close to the forward edge of the battle area. It can carry out surveillance, find tactical targets, track and designate targets, and provide accurate targeting data to strike platforms such as strike aircraft, helicopters, and ships. This unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is also able to carry out battle damage assessment.

[16-A-20] MH-60S Sea Hawk

[16-A-21] MQ-8B Fire Scout

MV-22 B/C OSPREY

This unusual aircraft is a hybrid of aircraft and helicopter technology that rotates the engines to either a vertical or horizontal configuration to allow it vertical takeoff capability or to fly like a conventional aircraft. Both the “B” and “C” (enhanced) versions are in service.

P-3C ORION

As the Navy’s land-based, long-range, antisubmarine warfare patrol aircraft, the P-3C has advanced submarine detection sensors such as directional frequency and ranging sonobuoys and magnetic anomaly detection equipment, and can carry a mixed payload of weapons internally and on wing pylons. The P-3C’s mission evolved in the late 1990s and early twenty-first century to include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance of the battle space, both at sea and over land. It will eventually be replaced by the P-8 Poseidon.

P-8A POSEIDON

Derived from the globally deployed, commercially supported Boeing 737–800 airframe, the Poseidon maintains the latest capabilities of the P-3C and a state-of-the-art flight station and navigation/communication system. Additionally, the P-8A will incorporate in-flight refueling capabilities yielding extended ranges and time-on-station previously unavailable in the P-3C Fleet.

[16-A-22] MV-22B Osprey in “helicopter mode”

[16-A-23] MV-22B Osprey in “fixed-wing mode”

[16-A-24] P-3C Orion

[16-A-25] P-8A Poseidon

RQ-7B SHADOW

This UAV is employed by the Marine Corps to provide Marine Air Ground Task Force commanders with both planned and immediate air reconnaissance. The RQ-7B carries electro-optical and infrared sensors to provide day and night imagery as well as a laser spotter to support targeting. It serves in the air reconnaissance function to produce intelligence, target acquisition, and battle damage assessment. It also supports the command and control function by serving as a platform for airborne communications relay.

RQ-21A BLACKJACK

A small, tactical UAV designed to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to amphibious assault ships, Marine Corps units, and Navy special warfare operators.

T-6A/B TEXAN II

A tandem-seat, turbo-prop trainer whose mission is to train Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard pilots and naval flight officers.

[16-A-26] RQ-7B Shadow

[16-A-27] RQ-21A Blackjack

[16-A-28] T-6B Texan

T-34C TURBOMENTOR

Used to provide primary flight training for student pilots, this aircraft is currently in the process of being replaced by the T-6 Texan II.

T-44C PEGASUS

A pressurized, twin-engine, fixed-wing aircraft used to train Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard pilots to fly multi-engine aircraft such as the P-3, P-8, E-6, E-2/C-2, HC-144, and C-130.

[16-A-29] T-34C Turbomentor

[16-A-30] T-44C Pegasus

T-45A/C GOSHAWK

This Navy version of the British Aerospace Hawk aircraft is used for intermediate and advanced portions of the Navy/Marine Corps pilot training program for jet carrier aviation and tactical strike missions, and the Naval Flight Officer Training Program. There are two versions of T-45 aircraft in operational use at this time, the T-45A and T-45C derivatives. The T-45A, which became operational in 1991, contains an analog design cockpit, while the newer T-45C (delivery began in 1997) is built around a new digital (glass cockpit) design. All T-45A cockpits will be digitized through the required avionics modernization program.

TH-57 B/C SEA RANGER

A derivative of the commercial Bell Jet Ranger 206, the Sea Ranger’s primary mission is to provide advanced helicopter training to Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard pilots. The TH-57 has two variants—TH-57B and TH-57C models. The TH-57B is used for visual flight rules training and the TH-57C is used for instrument flight rules training.

[16-A-31] T-45C Goshawk

[16-A-32] TH-57C Sea Ranger

UH-1Y VENOM

Provides a blend of all six Marine Aviation functions, including offensive air support, assault support, command and control, and aerial reconnaissance. This utility helicopter is often also called the “Super Huey” (reflecting the fact that it is a modern variant of the famous UH-1 “Huey”) and the “Yankee” (reflecting its variant designation).

X-47B

The Navy is developing an unmanned aircraft-carrier-based reconnaissance and strike capability to support air wing operations.

[16-A-33] UH-1Y Venom

[16-A-34] The X-47B unmanned carrier-based aircraft is under development.

16-B    Identifying Military Aircraft

There are thousands of aircraft in the Navy, and identifying them can be a bit of a challenge. To accomplish this, they have names and official letter and number designations to distinguish one from the other. This designation system (sometimes called the “Mission Design Series”) is explained in some detail below, followed by a simpler version for those who do not need or want quite so much precision. In fact, you can probably skip to that section (“The Simpler Way”) if you do not deal with aircraft much and only need the basics, but I recommend you review the intervening sections first for a better understanding, even if you eventually rely on the shorter version.

Probably the simplest way to begin deciphering these designations is to remember this: one thing common to all aircraft designations is the dash (hyphen). Whether the aircraft is a C-2A, or an EA-18G, or an F/A-18 E/F, there is always a dash in the designation. If you use that as your starting point, you will have a consistent reference from which to begin cracking this code. Think of the dash in this system as being much like the decimal point in a number system. In mathematics, where numbers appear in relation to the decimal point indicates their value (tens, hundreds, positive, negative, etc.); in the aircraft designation system, where letters or numbers appear relative to the dash helps you understand their meaning.

In the forthcoming explanation, let’s take a few examples from the real world by “decoding” the following aircraft designations: T-45A, SH-60F, EA-18G, NKC-135A, and F/A-18E/F.

LEFT OF THE DASH

Letters to the left of the dash can be a bit confusing, but once deciphered, they tell you a lot about a particular aircraft.

Type or Basic Mission

Let’s begin with the first letter to the left of the dash. It tells you one of two things: either the type or the basic mission of the aircraft.

By “type,” we mean whether it is a regular airplane (with fixed wings, engine(s), etc.) or some special kind of aircraft, like a helicopter. It’s important to realize that there is no letter for a regular fixed-wing aircraft type (it is assumed by omission), but the following letters are used to tell you that the aircraft is a special type, as indicated:

 

G	glider
H	helicopter
Q	UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)
S	spaceplane
V	V/STOL (vertical/short takeoff and landing)
Z	lighter than air (dirigible, etc.)

By “mission,” we mean the primary purpose of the aircraft. The following letters describe aircraft missions as indicated:

 

A	attack
B	bomber
C	transport
E	special electronic installation
F	fighter
L	laser
O	observation
P	patrol
R	reconnaissance
S	antisubmarine
T	trainer
U	utility
X	research

Now comes the tricky part. If the aircraft is a special type (such as a glider or a helicopter), the first letter to the left of the dash will be one of those from the type list previously shown: G, H, Q, S, V, or Z. If it is not one of these special types (in other words, it’s just a regular fixed-wing airplane), then there is no letter indicating type. It will be understood that no type letter indicates a regular fixed-wing airplane type. If that is the case, then the first letter to the left of the dash will be one from the mission list above: A, B, C, E, and so on.

Because the first letter to the left of the dash will indicate either the type or the mission of the aircraft, and the two lists do not overlap (except in one instance), for simplicity you can combine the two lists into one and translate them appropriately (keeping in mind that the letter used is indicating either a type or a mission). [Note: The one overlap could be confusing but is a minor problem because the overlap is the letter “S” for both type (spaceplane) and mission (antisubmarine). You are not likely to encounter this problem—spaceplanes are pretty rare, at least for now, and should be obvious in context—but it is worth mentioning just in case.]

In our examples from above, we know that the T-45A is a fixed-wing airplane with a primary mission of training; the SH-60F is a helicopter; the EA-18G is a regular airplane with a primary mission of attack; and the NKC-135A is a fixed-wing airplane with transport as its primary mission. The F/A-18E/F is a bit of a special case: the slash between the F and the A indicates that this is a regular airplane that has two primary missions: it is both a fighter and an attack aircraft. (Didn’t want to make this too easy!)

Modified Mission

Now, let’s look to another letter to the left of the dash. This letter (if there is one) is called the mission modifier. The following letters, when appearing in this position, have these meanings:

 

A	attack
C	transport
D	director
E	special electronics
F	fighter
H	search and rescue/MEDEVAC (medical evacuation)
K	tanker
L	cold weather
M	multi-mission
O	observation
P	patrol
Q	drone (unmanned)
R	reconnaissance
S	antisubmarine
T	trainer
U	utility
V	staff
W	weather

These letters can be combined with either a type or a mission indicator in the first position to the left of the dash to tell you more about what an aircraft is used for. In our examples, the T-45A has no mission modifier, so it remains simply a trainer aircraft; the “S” of the SH-60F helicopter tells us that it is used for antisubmarine warfare; the EA-18G’s original attack mission was modified by adding an “E” for special electronics; and the NKC-135A is used as a tanker (for refueling other aircraft in the air). Because the two letters (“F” and “A”) are separated by a slash in the F/A-18E/F, the F is not a mission modifier but is considered coequal with the A, so this is an aircraft that is capable of carrying out both fighter and attack missions with equal capability.

To better understand this process, consider that the H-60 helicopter has been modified into several different versions in today’s Navy. The SH-60 version is used for antisubmarine warfare; the HH-60 is a helicopter of the same basic design, but this version is used for search-and-rescue purposes; and there are other versions as well.

Status Prefix

One more place to the left of the dash is sometimes (not very often) occupied by a letter called the status prefix. These letters are used for aircraft that are in a special status as follows:

 

G	grounded
J	special test (temporary)
N	special test (permanent)
X	experimental
V	prototype
Z	planning

The only one of our selected examples that has a letter in this position is the NKC-135A, and we can see from the list above that it is being used for a special test (permanently). You will not often see these letters used, but it is good to be aware of them should you encounter them.

Left-of-the-Dash Summary

Before moving to the right side of the dash, review the table below for a summary of all items that may appear to the left of the dash in an aircraft designation.

RIGHT OF THE DASH

Now it is time to consider what is on the right side of the dash. This side is a bit easier because it does not require any memorization or any “crib notes” for translation.

Design

You will recall that earlier we established that aircraft designations are sometimes referred to as the MDS (Mission Design Series) system. The letters to the left of the dash make up the “mission” part of that, and the letters and numbers to the right comprise the “design” and “series” parts.

Immediately to the right of the dash is the design number. All this number means is that this aircraft is a specific design of the particular type or mission. The first design of a patrol aircraft was designated “P-1,” and when a whole new design of an aircraft for patrolling was accepted by the Defense Department, it was designated “P-2,” and so on.

In our chosen examples, the T-45A is the forty-fifth design of a trainer aircraft that has been accepted by DOD; the SH-60F is the sixtieth helicopter design; the EA-18G is the eighteenth attack aircraft design; and the NKC-135A is the 135th transport design. The F/A-18E/F is once again a bit of an aberration; it is not the eighteenth fighter/attack design, but is the eighteenth fighter design accepted by DOD. (Reason does not always prevail.)

Series

Many times the basic design of an aircraft is modified in some way, so that it is no longer the same aircraft as originally designed, but it has not been changed enough to warrant calling it a whole new design. To indicate this significant modification (version), a series letter is appended to the design number. The aircraft in its original design is considered to be “A” in the series. The first modification would be “B,” the next would be “C,” and so on. “I” and “O” are not used because they might be confused with one and zero.

So we now know that the T-45A and the NKC-135A are both original designs (as indicated by the “A” series indicator) and that the SH-60F has been modified five times and the EA-18G six times.

The F/A-18C/D is, once again, a special case. There are actually two different versions of the Hornet in service; one has only one seat and is designated the “C” version, whereas the “D” version has two seats. Because both are in service you will often see them listed as “C/D” when referring to them generically.

THE SIMPLER WAY

All the above information is provided for those who want to know precisely what the aircraft designation system is telling them. But below I have compiled all the codes covering type, mission, and status into one list. In truth, if you use this list to decipher the information to the left of the dash without concerning yourself where these particular letters fall, you will know the essentials about the aircraft and only rarely get confused.

Most of the time, the letters will be clear in context. For example, if you are given a picture of an aircraft that has the designation ZSH-7A and it has rotating blades on it, the chances are the “Z” indicates that it is in “planning” rather than being a “lighter-than-air” craft, and the “S” more than likely indicates “antisubmarine” rather than “spaceplane.” So, use the letters below without worrying about where they fall to the left of the dash and you will, in most cases, know all you need to about an aircraft.

 

A	attack
B	bomber
C	transport
D	director
E	special electronic installation
F	fighter
G	glider or grounded
H	helicopter or search and rescue
J	special test (temporary)
K	tanker
L	laser or cold weather
M	multi-mission
N	special test (permanent)
O	observation
P	patrol
Q	drone (unmanned)
R	reconnaissance
S	antisubmarine or spaceplane
T	trainer
U	utility
V	V/STOL or staff or prototype
W	weather
X	research or experimental
Z	lighter than air or planning