CURRENT FIXED-WING NAVY AIRCRAFT

AIRCRAFT MODEL DESIGNATIONS - 12018_280

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4. The fourth column explains the last letter of the aircraft designation. This is improvement/ alteration B. Let’s try another one: CH-46 Sea Knight 1. First letter is “C.” This is a cargo aircraft. 2. Second letter is “H.” This is a helicopter. 3. 46. This is the forty-sixth of the series. 4. No letter. There have been no improvements/ alterations. CURRENT FIXED-WING NAVY AIRCRAFT This section briefly describes some of the fixed-wing aircraft (fig. 8-41) currently operational within the Navy. Attack Class Attack planes are used for low-level bombing, ground support, or nuclear strikes. They do not need the speed of fighters, but should be capable of heavy payloads, have good stability, and be able to carry enough fuel to remain on station long enough to render extended support to troops, if needed. Attack aircraft normally operate under conditions of good visibility, but some have the equipment needed for all-weather and night attacks. EA-6B PROWLER.—The Prowler (fig. 8-42) is an all-weather tactical electronic warfare aircraft, based on the A-6 airframe. The Prowler provides jamming coverage to prevent missile engagement of U.S. or allied aircraft during strike operations. The Prowler also carries the high-speed antiradiation missile (HARM). AV-8B HARRIER.—The Harrier (fig. 8-43) is the western world’s only operational fixed-wing vertical short takeoff or landing (V/STOL) strike aircraft. It is an integrated V/STOL weapons system incorporating the inertial navigation and attack system (INAS) with an electronic display. The aircraft is used by the Marine Corps and is operated from the decks of aircraft carriers and amphibious support ships. Fighter Class Fighters are high-performance aircraft generally employed to gain air superiority. They may be deployed defensively as interceptors, offensively as escorts for b o m b e r s o r o n g r o u n d s u p p o r t m i s s i o n s , o r independently to counter enemy aircraft. Some are capable of carrying sufficient payloads for bombing missions. F-14 TOMCAT.—The F-14 Tomcat (fig. 8-44) is an aircraft-carrier-based, jet-powered fighter aircraft. The aircraft is mainly missile oriented, carrying the new air-to-air missile, Phoenix, and capable of carrying the older Sidewinder and Sparrow. The Tomcat can be configured for bombing and rocketry. F/A-18 HORNET.—The Hornet (fig. 8-45) is a sonic, single-seat, twin-engine jet. The fighter and attack versions are identical, except for selected interchangeable external equipment. Conversion from the fighter to attack mode (and vice versa) takes less than 1 hour. The aircraft is designed for aerodynamic agility, high reliability, high survivability, and reduced manpower maintenance requirements. Patrol Class Patrol craft are land-based, long-range, multiengine aircraft used primarily for antisubmarine warfare (ASW) patrol. Patrol squadrons operate from the continental United States and overseas bases. The P-3 Orion is the Navy’s primary ASW patrol aircraft. The P-3 Orion (fig 8-46) is equipped with magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) gear, sonobuoys, radar, and other submarine detection systems. It is armed with torpedoes, bombs, missiles, and depth charges for kills. It has the primary mission of detecting, locating, and destroying enemy submarines. The P-3 Orion can respond quickly to hunt down submarine contacts long before surface units can arrive. Other duties include convoy escort, photographic missions, and aerial mining. Antisubmarine Class Antisubmarine aircraft operate from CVs in conjunction with hunter-killer group helicopters and 8-35 Student Notes:

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