Navy-Marine Corps Strike-Fighter Shortfall: Background and Options for Congress
Abstract
Navy and Marine Corps Strike-Fighters. The Navy and Marine Corps, which are both part of the Department of the Navy (DON), each operate hundreds of strikefighters, which are tactical aircraft that can conduct both air-to-ground (i.e., strike) and air-to-air (i.e., fighter) operations. Strike-fighters constitute the majority of the aircraft in each of the Navy's 10 active-duty aircraft carrier air wings (CVWs) of the 70 or more aircraft typically embarked on a Navy aircraft carrier, 44 are strike-fighters. Strikefighters also constitute a significant portion of the Marine Corps three active-duty Marine air wings (MAWs). Some Marine Corps strike-fighters are assigned to Navy CVWs. The principal strike-fighter operated by the Navy and Marine Corps is the F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet, manufactured by Boeing. The older A through D models of the F/A-18 are called Hornets, while the newer, larger, and more capable E and F models are called Super Hornets. The Navy operates more than 600 Hornets and Super Hornets, while the Marine Corps operates more than 200 Hornets, plus roughly 130 AV-8B Harriers, which are short takeoff, vertical landing (STOVL) attack aircraft.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 12, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA481368
Entities
People
- Ronald O'Rourke
Organizations
- Library of Congress