Chapter 5: naval Aviation

Naval Aviation support the following operations:

1.Air Warfare(AW)

2.Surface warfare (SUW)

3.Anti-submarine warfare (ASW)

4. Close air support (CAS)

5. Combat search and rescue (CSAR) / search and

rescue (SAR)

6. Command, control, communication, computers,

combat systems, and intelligence (C5I)

7. Logistics support operations (LOG)

8. Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance

(ISR)

9. Mine warfare (MIW)

10. Strike warfare (STW)

Three categories of aircraft

fixed wing, rotary wing, tiltrotor

Fixed wing Naval Aviation groups

Carrier Aviation

Maritime Aviation

Naval Aviator

Unrestricted Line Officer qualified for duty involving flying as a Pilot. As a qualified aircraft commander (AC), a Naval Aviator retains overall responsibility for the safe conduct of flight operations and physical control of aircraft, regardless of rank.

Naval Flight Officer (NFO)

Unrestricted Line Officer who operates the advanced systems onboard some naval aircraft and may also act as the overall tactical coordinator of multiple air assets during a mission.

Naval Aircrewmen

Enlisted personnel in a permanent flight status. Naval Aircrewmen perform in-flight duties in accordance with various aircrew positions and are responsible to the Aircraft/Mission Commander for the operation, maintenance, and training associated with applicable aircraft systems.

Professional Aviation Maintenance Officer (PAMO)

Established in 2009, the PAMO community is comprised of aerospace maintenance duty officers (AMDO), aviation maintenance limited duty officers (LDO), and aviation maintenance chief warrant officers (CWO). They have significant experience and display a high level of minimum of 24 months in an aviation maintenance activity and completing one operational deployment, PAMOs are required to complete a personnel qualification standard (PQS) and successfully pass an oral board. Once qualified, PAMOs serve as leaders within an aviation squadron’s maintenance department, supporting aviation missions and the squadron’s warfighting capabilities.

1910

LT Theodore G. Ellyson became the first naval officer selected for fight training. Ellyson underwent instruction with Glenn Curtiss

Glenn Curtiss

The producer of the first practical hydroplane and early aircraft developer.

Eugene Ely

It was a Curtiss Pilot who made the first shipboard takeoff from the USS Birmingham in 1910. Ely would later become the first pilot to successfully land an aircraft on the deck of a ship.

1911

LT Ellyson demonstrated the ability to launch a plane utilizing a newly devised compressed air catapult.

First Naval Air Station

Annapolis at Greenbury Point in 1911

First Aircraft Carrier

USS Langley, was commissioned in 1922 by converting an old collier to a flat top ship.

WWII

Naval aviation gained prominence. Performance at the Battle of Midway that solidified their position of importance. Having destroyed all four Japanese carriers, naval aviators turned the war in the Pacific from defensive to offensive. From that point onward, the center of the fleet became the aircraft carrier instead of the battleship.

Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF)

In the first two years of sustained combat operations, 72% of strike sorties were flown by aircraft based on six different carriers.

Hornets, Prowlers, and Hawkeyes provided close air support at distances

600 to 750 nautical miles from their sea base.

Dynamic employment of Carrier aircraft

80% of targets engaged were assigned to aircrews after launch and 93% of munitions were satellite-aided or laser-guided.

Carrier Air Wing (CVW-8)

attached to USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) flew 3,000 sorties, supporting Troops-In-Contact (TIC) 500 times.

2003

six of twelve aircraft carriers were surged for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, flying half of all fighter sorties in the U.S Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR). Carriers were on station in the Mediterranean Sea as well as the Arabian Gulf. More than 700 Navy and Marine Corps aircraft provided critical combat capability, with each carrier flight deck active, on average, 16 hours a day to generate 120-130 sorties during the first month of the war.

CVW-14

In a single deployment aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) dropped 1.865 million pounds of ordnance.

CVW-2

assigned to USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) arrived on-station off the coast of Indonesia just five days after the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami devastated the region. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG) spearheaded the emergency relief effort known as Operation UNIFIED ASSISTANCE. By month’s end, Navy helicopters had flown 1,527 missions, delivering 4.8 million pounds of supplies and transporting 2,929 people. In 2011, when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake caused a tsunami to catastrophically damage the Fukushima nuclear reactor in Japan, the U.S. Navy swiftly responded with 24 ships and 140 naval aircraft to assist the Japanese Self Defense Force.

Domestically

Naval aircraft played a vital role conducting search and rescue and humanitarian operations during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005 and Hurricane Harvey in Houston in 2017.

2011

Operations ODYSSEY DAWN and UNIFIED PROTECTOR. Air operations were led by EA-18G Growlers whose radar jamming pods, High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles, and APG-79 phased-array radar devastated the Qadhafi regime’s air defense and communications networks, enabling AV-8B Harrier IIs of the 26th MEU to attack ground targets in Libya

CVW-17

10 month deployment in the Arabian Gulf 2024-2015, the aircraft aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Strike Group launched 2,383 combat sorties in support of Operation IHERENT RESOLVE. 869 precision-guided munitions, totaling over a half million pounds of ordnance, against ISIL/ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria.

Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR and Operation ABSOLUTE RESOLVE

carrier-borne aircraft, anchored by the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), were employed to suppress air defenses, strike illicit maritime targets, and provide critical overhead cover for the dynamic exfiltration of Nicolas Maduro in January 2026.

Operation EPIC FURY

Naval Blockade of Iran. a concentrated presence of multiple Carrier Strike Groups has executed massive precision strike campaigns against Iranian missile infrastructure, command nodes, and naval installations, while maintaining continuous combat air patrols to provide fleet air defense and enforce a strict embargo along the Iranian coastline.

Since 1914

Pensacola, Florida is where young student naval aviators and naval flight officers have learned and mastered the unique demands of flying naval aircraft.

CVN-68 Nimitz Class Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier

Small Superstructure located approximately 2/3s of the distance from bow to stern.

With their embarked air wing, aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s naval forces. On any given day, aircraft carriers exercise the Navy’s core capabilities of power projection, forward presence, humanitarian assistance, deterrence, sea control, and maritime security.

NATO Sea Sparrow, Phalanx CIWS, and Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM)

approximately 60 aircraft

Ship’s Company 3,000 / Air Wing: 1,500

CVN-78 Gerald R. Ford Class Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier

Largest Ship in the U.S navy, and 25 feet longer than the Nimitz Class Carriers, at 1106ft. The ford class is able to easily distinguished from the Nimitz class due to the more aft placement of the superstructure.

With their embarked air wing, aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s naval forces. On any given day, aircraft carriers exercise the Navy’s core capabilities of power projection, forward presence, humanitarian assistance, deterrence, sea control, and maritime security.

Mulitple Evolved NATO Sea Sparrow (ESSM), Phalanx CIWs, and Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM), and small caliber weapons

70 aircraft

Ships company 2,600/ air wing 1,500

A

Attack

C

Cargo/Transport

E

Electronic

F

Fighter

H

Helicopter

K

Tanker

M

Mine-Countermeasure & Multi-Mission

P

Patrol

Q

Unmanned

R

Reconnaissance

S

Anti Submarine

T

Trainer

U

Utility

V

VTOL / STOL

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet ROLE: FIGHTER/ATTACK

Carrier-based all-weather fighter and attack aircraft. Can be configured quickly to perform either fighter or attack roles or both, through selected use of external equipment to accomplish specific missions. This ‘force multiplier’ capability gives the operational commander more flexibility in employing tactical aircraft in a rapidly changing battle scenario. The fighter missions are primarily fighter escort and fleet air defense; while the attack missions are force projection, interdiction, and close and deep air support. Replaced the F/A-18C Hornet and has the same capabilities. However the Super Hornet has a greater range, higher service ceiling, larger payload, increased reliability, and improved electronics suite. The Super Hornet also serves as the carrier air wing’s only air refueling asset.

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Distinguishing Features:

Twin V-oriented vertical stabilizers

Rectangle shaped air intakes

Single seat (E model) or Two seat (F model) cockpit

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Responsibilities

E: Pilot is responsible for aviation, navigation ,communication, and tactical employment that includes air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

F: The crew is optimized through sharing the responsibilities above which makes them particularly suited for high task load missions such as close air support and forward air control.

EA-18G Growler

Carrier based and expeditionary (ground based) all-weather electronic attack aircraft. A modified version of the F/A-18F, the EA-18G has replaced the Navy’s EA-6B Prowler. The EA-18G Growler integrates the lates electronic attack technology including the ALQ-218 receiver, ALQ-99 jamming pods (corn dogs), communication, countermeasure, and satellite communications. Along with the election attack suite, the Growler also features the same APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar found in the Super Hornet.

EA-18G Growler Distinguishing Features:

Twin V-oriented vertical stabilizers

Rectangle shaped air intakes

Two seat cockpit

Jamming pods mounted on the wing tips

EA-18G Growler CREW:

1 Pilot/ 1 NFO as Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO)

EA-18G Growler Responsibilities:

The crew is optimized by sharing the responsibilities of aviation, navigation, communication and tactical employment that includes electronic attack, electronic surveillance, and high speed anti-radiation missiles (HARM)

E-2D Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning

Carrier based all weather tactical battle management, airborne early warning, and command and control aircraft. The E-2D uses computerized radar, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), and electronic surveillance sensors to provide early warning, threat analysis against potentially hostile air and surface targets. 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. Upgraded Hawkeyes also have an aerial refueling capability.

E-2D Hawkeye Distinguishing Features

High wing

Twin turboprop engines

Large rotating radar dome on the spine of aircraft

E-2D Hawkeye Crew

2 Pilots/ 3 NFOs

E-2D Hawkeye Responsibilities:

Pilots: Aviation, navigation, and communication

NFOs: Mission Commander, Sensor Operator, Airborne Command & Control.

C-2A Greyhound Fleet Logistics Support

Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD). Provides long-range logistics support to Carrier Strike Groups. The C-2A can deliver a combined payload of 10,000 pounds over a distance of 1,000+ nm. The interior arrangement of the cabin can readily accommodate cargo, passengers, and litter patients. The large aft cargo ramp/door and a powered winch allow straight-in rear cargo loading and unloading.

C-2A Greyhound Distinguishing features

High wing

Twin turboprop engines

Rear loading ramp

C-2A Greyhound Crew

2 pilots / 2 enlisted Aircrew

C-2A Greyhound responsibilities

Pilot: Aviation

Co-Pilot: Navigation and communication

Aircrew: Loadmasters for cargo and passengers

P-8A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft

The P-8A is a modified Boeing 737-800ERX, bringing together a highly reliable airframe and high-bypass turbo fan jet engine with fully connected, state-of-the-art open architecture mission system. This combination, coupled with next-generation advanced sensors, numerous weapon payloads, and aerial refueling capabilities.

P-8A Poseidon Distinguishing Features:

Twin Turbofan Engines

Raked wingtips

P-8A Poseidon Crew:

3 Pilots / 2 NFOs / 4 enlisted Aircrew

P-8A Poseidon Responsivities

Pilots: Aviation, navigation, and communication. Can serve as Mission Commander.

NFOs: Tactical Coordinator (TACCO) and Co-Tactical Coordinator (COTAC) responsible for mission tactics and crew coordination. Can serve as Mission Commander.

Aircrew: Sensor Operators (acoustics/non-acoustic/electronic support/radar/optical)

E-6B Mercury Fleet Air Reconnaissance

Dual-mission aircraft. Fulfills “Take Charge and Move Out” (TACAMO) mission by linking the National Command Authority (NCA) with nation’s nuclear forces (Bombers, ICBMs, SSBNs) by relaying Emergency Action Messages. Also serves as an Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) with the capability to launch U.S. land-based ICBMs via the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS).

P-8A Poseidon Distinguishing Features

Boeing 707 airframe with 4 large high-bypass turbofan engines. Antenna pod an spine of aircraft. HF antenna pod under each wing tip.

P-8A Poseidon Crew

3 pilots / 2 NFOs / 6-9 enlisted Aircrew

P-8A Poseidon Responsibilities

Pilots: Aviate, navigate, and communicate. May act as Mission Commander.

NFOs: Airborne Communications Officer (ACO) and Combat Systems Officer (CSO). Responsible for Communications Central and release authority for all message traffic.

May act as Mission Commander.

Aircrew: Operation and maintenance of mission systems.

MQ-4C Triton Persistent, Maritime, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance

The MQ-4C Triton is a forward deployed, land-based, autonomously operated system that provides a persistent maritime ISR capability using a multi-sensor mission payload of maritime radar, Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR), Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Automatic Identification System (AIS) and basic communication relay. The MQ-4C Triton’s ability to perform persistent ISR within a range of 2,000 nm allows the other aircraft in the maritime community, the P-8A, to focus on its core missions of USW and SUW weapons employment and Multi-Intelligence (INT) operations.

MQ-4C Triton Distinguishing Features:

130 ft wing span, domed superstructure, engine on centerline of fuselage, V-oriented twin vertical stabilizer.

MQ-4C Triton Crew

aircraft is unmanned; 4 personnel required per ground station

MQ-4C Triton Responsibilities

Air Vehicle Operator, Tactical Coordinator, 2 Mission Payload Operators

MH-60R ‘Romeo’ Seahawk Maritime Strike

The primary missions of the MH-60R ‘Romeo’ are ASW and SUW. Other missions include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, search and rescue, vertical replenishment, counter-narcotics operations, and command and control operations. The Romeo has updated radar and sonar systems, electronic signal collection capabilities, a glass-cockpit configuration, and a ‘dipping’ sonar for active acoustic tracking of submarines.

MH-60R ‘Romeo’ Seahawk Distinguishing Features

Rear-wheel is further forward, closer to the middle of the aircraft

Radar dome under nose

Door on starboard side only

low pylon mounts

When equipped with a FLIR, the turret faces up

MH-60R ‘Romeo’ Seahawk Crew

2 pilot/ 1-2 enlisted aircrew

MH-60R ‘Romeo’ Seahawk responsibilities

Pilot: Operate the aircraft

Co-Pilot: Airborne Tactical Officer (ATO) supervises the tactical situation/directs the pilot and sensor operators

Aircrew: Sensor operators for all onboard systems, rescue swimmers, crew-served weapons operator

MH-60 ‘Sierra’ Knighthawk’ Sea Combat

The primary missions of the MH-60S ‘Sierra’ include SUW, Logistics, and Combat Search and Rescue. Other missions areas include Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief, Search and Recue, and Special Operations Forces support

MH-60 ‘Sierra’ Knighthawk’ Distinguishing Features

The tail wheel is in the very back of the aircraft

Large cargo doors are on both sides of the cabin

Gunner’s windows are behind the cockpit

When equipped with FLIR the turret faces down

MH-60 ‘Sierra’ Knighthawk’ Crew

2 Pilots/ 1-5 enlisted Aircrew

MH-60 ‘Sierra’ Knighthawk’ Responsbilities

Pilot: Operates the aircraft

Co-Pilot: Navigation/tactical mission control

Aircrew: Crew chief, aerial gunner/rescue swimmer

MH-53E Sea Dragon Mine Countermeasure

The primary mission of the MH-53E is Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM). The secondary missions are vertical shipboard delivery and assault support. It is capable of towing a variety of mine hunting/sweeping countermeasure systems, including the Mk 105 magnetic minesweeping sled, the AQS-14A side-scan sonar, and the Mk 103 mechanical minesweeping system. When performing the assault support mission, the MH-53E can be fitted with the GAU-21 .50-cal. machine gun ramp-mounted weapon system.

MH-53E Sea Dragon Distinguishing Features

Large size (99 feet long)

6 or 7 rotor blades depending on the variant

MH-53E Sea Dragon Crew

2 pilots/ 1-2 enlisted Aircrew

MH-53E Sea Dragon Responsibilities

Pilot: Operate the aircraft

Co-pilot: Navigation/tactical mission control

Aircrew: Senor operator, loadmaster, and aerial gunner

MQ-8B and MQ-8C Fire Scout ISR

The MQ-8 Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicpoter that provides reconnaissance, situational awareness, and precision targeting support for ground, air , and sea force. The system is comprised of one or more MQ-8 Fire Scout air vehicles, mission control systems, and associated control handling and support equipment. The system can operate from any suitably equipped air-capable ships or land bases. The MQ-8B have deployed from Guided Missile Frigates (FFG) and Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The MQ-8C is pictured on the right and based on the TH-57 platform used in Helicopter Advanced Training.

MQ-8B and MQ-8C Fire Scout Distinguishing Features

Small size (31.5 ft and 2000 lbs), no windows or doors, skids

MQ-8B and MQ-8C Fire Scout Crew

2 personnel required per ground station

MQ-8B and MQ-8C Fire Scout Responsibilities

Air vehicle operator

Sensor Operator

CMV-22B Osprey Logistics/ Multi-Mission

The CMV-22B Osprey is variant of the MV-22B and is the replacement for the C-2A Greyhound for the Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) mission mission transporting personnel, mail, supplies and high-priority cargo from shore bases to aircraft carriers at sea. The Osprey is a tiltrotor V/STOL aircraft that can take off and land as a helicopter but transit as a turboprop aircraft. It will provide the Navy with significant increases in capability and operational flexibility over the C-2A. CMV-22B operations can be either shore-based, “expeditionary”, or sea-based. The Osprey is a critical warfighting enabler, providing the time sensitive combat logistics needed to support combat operations.

CMV-22B Osprey Distinguishing features

Large twin rotors that reciprocate up and down at the end of the wings.

CMV-22B Osprey Crew

2 pilots/ 2 crew chiefs

CMV-22B Osprey Responsibilities

Pilots: Operates aircraft

Crew chief: Load master