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Top 10: US Marines’ Military Aircraft By Fleet Size

United States Marine Corps (USMC) – the separate military service within the U.S. Department of the Navy – are one among the various armed forces of the US. The aircraft that USMC have are designed for various purposes. According to USMC, its “airwing is structured for versatility“:

” Whether the mission requires taking Marines and heavy equipment to the fight in a CH-53K King Stallion or a combat strike on an enemy target from an F-35B, the Marines who pilot and maintain our aircraft ensure battles from the air are aggressively fought and decisively won. “

But which are USMC’s top military aircraft by fleet size? Let’s find out.

10. TAV-8B Harrier

TAV-8B Harrier,Dakota Meyer honored by USMC during Thunder Over Louisville air show
Photo: Senior Airman Max Rechel | Wikimedia Commons
Aircraft Type: 
  • V/STOL training aircraft
Manufacturer McDonnell Douglas / BAE Systems
Roles
  • Harrier pilot instruction
  • Transitional flight training
Number of aircraft used 16

A few notes on the TAV-8B Harrier:

  • An added seat in the cockpit for flight instructors
  • Helps in the development of jump-jet pilots
  • One fuselage-mounted 25 mm gun system can carry artillery up to 9,000 pounds.
  • Some of the missions served by AV-8B include operations Desert Storm (Persian Gulf), Somalia (both U.S. and Italian AV-8Bs), and peacekeeping operations in Bosnia.

Specifications:

Maximum airspeed 1018 km/hr (550 KCAS)
Maximum range 900 nautical miles
Engines Rolls Royce Pegasus F402-RR-406 turbofan engine
Thrust 20,280 pounds

Capabilities of the TAV-8B Harrier

  • Angle Rate Bombing System (ARBS) with laser spot tracker
  • Digital Map Unit (DMU)
  • Night vision goggle-compatible cockpit controls and displays
  • Navigation Forward Looking Infrared (NAVFLIR) system
  • Wide-field-of-view HUD

9. F-35B/C Lightning II

 

F-35B Lightning II aircraft takes off from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
Photo: Sdr Ldr Nikki Lofthouse | Wikimedia Commons
Aircraft Type: 
  • Stealth multirole fighter
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin (with partners Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems)
Roles
  • Air dominance
  • Strike
  • Reconnaissance 
Number of aircraft used 52

 

A few notes on the TAV-8B Harrier:

  • It has sophisticated data linkages, sensor fusion, and a minimal observable design.
  • Has short-takeoff/vertical-landing (STOVL) capability.
  • The F-35C is made to take off from aircraft carriers with the use of a catapult.
  • Provide pinpoint strikes, sophisticated surveillance, and aerial support.

Specifications

Maximum airspeed 1018 km/hr (550 KCAS)
Maximum range 1,080 nautical miles

Capabilities of the F-35b/c

  • To better handle low-speed approaches, the aircraft features bigger wing and tail control surfaces.
  • The F-35B can carry GBU-32 1,000-lb version of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) weapons.

8. KC-130J Hercules

KC-130J United States Marines leaving Glasgow Airport
Photo: Mark Harkin | Wikimedia Commons
Aircraft Type:  Aerial refueling and transport aircraft
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin 
Roles
  • Troop Transport 
  • Cargo Delivery
  • In-flight refueling 
Number of aircraft used 57

A few notes on the KC-130J:

  • can switch between aerial tanker missions troop transport
  • Its flight Refueling Ltd. (FRL) Mark32B-901E aerial refueling system can refuel F/A-18s, MV-22s, and other aircraft midair.
  • Can operate on distant or unpaved airstrips.
  • Supports initiatives like frontline resupply and disaster relief.

Specifications:

Maximum airspeed 320 Knots
Maximum range 3,548 nautical miles
Engines Four Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3 turboprops
Thrust 8,600 lbs

 

Capabilities of the KC-130J Hercules:

  • special warfare operations, and emergency evacuation.
  • Improvements in survivability, speed, and range.
  • Greater range of refueling speed envelope (100–270 knots).
  • Can refuel other aircraft even in austere conditions.
  • Operates in inclement weather as well as throughout the day.

7. AH-1W Super Cobra

Marine Corps AH-1W Super Cobra flies over the Pacific Ocean
Photo: MC2 Dustin Kelling | Wikimedia Commons
Aircraft Type:  Attack helicopter
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter 
Roles
  • Armed escort
  • Anti-armor
  • Forward Air Controller 
  • Close-in/landing zone fire support
Number of aircraft used 59

A few notes on the AH-1W Super Cobra:

  • Known as the “Whiskey Cobra,” it has participated in several wars, the most notable being the Gulf War.
  • Upgraded with new weaponry (armed with a 20mm gun) and better avionics.
  • Equipped with Automatic Target Tracking, Equipped with CCD TV sensor, CCD TV video recording, FLIR sensor, Laser Designator/Rangefinder

Specifications

Maximum airspeed 190 Knots
Maximum range 317 nautical miles
Engines 2 General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines
Thrust 3,380 shp

Capabilities of the AH-1W Super Cobra:

  • Provides close air support for ground forces and escort for assault helicopters.
  • Uses HELLFIRE, TOW, Sidewinder, and Sidearm missiles to launch precise assaults.
  • Comes with night fighting capabilities (the AN/AWS-1(V)1 Night Targeting System).
  • Outfitted with cutting-edge electronic protection, targeting, and navigation systems.

6. AH-1Z Viper


An AH-1Z helicopter being flown by the United States Marine Corps.
Photo: Cpl. Ethan R. Jones | Wikimedia Commons
Aircraft Type:  Attack helicopter
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter 
Roles
  • Armed escort
  • Close air support 
Number of aircraft used 90

A few notes on the AH-1Z Viper:

  • It has a four-blade composite main rotor and modernized targeting systems.
  • Including an improved transmission for increased dependability.
  • Shares parts with the UH-1Y Venom to make logistics and maintenance easier.

Specifications

Maximum airspeed 200 Knots
Maximum range 310 nautical miles
Engines 2 x General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines
Thrust 1,800 shp

According to WarHistoryOnline, various nations operate this aircraft:

” The Royal Bahraini Air Force was the first export customer, ordering 12, and the Czech Air Force has also acquired the helicopter to replace its aging fleet of Cold War-era Mil Mi-24 gunships. Other nations, including Nigeria and Slovakia, have placed orders for the AH-1Z. The former is slated to receive 12 units via a deal with the US Department of Defense that’s valued at $455 million.”

Capabilities of the AH-1Z Viper:

5. AV-8B Harrier II (Plus)

 

McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II Plus Landing
Photo: Valder137 | Wikimedia Commons
Aircraft Type:  V/STOL ground-attack aircraft 
Manufacturer McDonnell Douglas / BAE System  
Roles
  • Armed reconnaissance 
  • Close air support 
Number of aircraft used 102

A few notes on the AV-8B Harrier II Plus:

  • Has short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities.
  • Driven by a Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine
  • Has seven external hard points, which have more than 9,200 pounds of weapons and external fuel stores.
  •  Equipped with a hands-on throttle and stick system (HOTAS), and an inertial navigation system (INS).

Specifications

Maximum airspeed Mach 0.9
Maximum range 1,200 nautical miles
Engines 1 × Rolls-Royce Pegasus F402-RR-408 (Mk 107) vectored-thrust turbofan
Thrust 23,500 lbf

Capabilities of the AV-8B Harrier II Plus:

  • Has carbon-fiber composite leading edge root extensions wings (LERX).
  •  AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles for night missions
  • Has retractable inflight refueling probe

4.UH-1Y Venom

 

Bell UH-1Y Venom
Photo: Marines | Wikimedia Commons
Aircraft Type:  Utility helicopter 
Manufacturer Bell Aircraft Corporation
Roles
  • Armed escort 
  • Search-and-rescue 
  • Troop transport 
Number of aircraft used 140

A few notes on the Bell UH-1Y Venom:

  • It is a successor to the UH-1N Twin Huey. 
  • Can operate in tight landing zones whilst also being adaptable to close support, medical evacuation, and troop insertion tasks.
  • Forms a complete rotary-wing kit that is essential to marine air mobility when paired with AH-1Z Vipers.

Specifications

Maximum airspeed 189 mph
Maximum range 325 nautical miles
Engines Two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines
Thrust 1,546 shp

Capabilities of the Bell UH-1Y Venom

  • Supports low-level infiltration/exfiltration activities as well as search and rescue missions.
  • Incoming threats can be detected with its forward-looking infrared sensors. 
  • All components of the chopper are marinized, preventing it from the forces of corrosion.
  • Comes with a helmet-mounted sight display.

3. CH-53E Super Stallion

 

Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
Photo: Acroterion | Wikimedia Commons
Aircraft Type:  Heavy- lift helicopter 
Manufacturer Sikorsky aircraft 
Roles
  • Transport heavy equipment and personnel 
Number of aircraft used 140

A few notes on the CH-53E Super Stallion:

  • CH-53E is the biggest and most potent heavy-lift helicopter in the West.
  • The CH-53E Super Stallion and MH-53E Sea Dragon version are the two main variants.
  • Renowned for its unparalleled capacity to move troops, supplies, heavy machinery, and vehicles during support operations and amphibious assaults.
  • 36 tons of external sling capacity
  • Equipped with a new heavy lifter, which according to Lockheed Martin, will “allow the U.S. Marine Corps and international militaries to move troops and equipment from ship to shore, and to higher altitude terrain, more quickly and effectively than ever before.” 

Specifications

Maximum airspeed 150 knots
Maximum range 621 nautical miles
Engines Three General Electric T64-GE-419 turboshaft engines
Thrust 4,750 shp

Capabilities of the CH-53E Super Stallion:

  • Its mission kit includes 7.62mm and 50 caliber guns. 
  • It can carrya 26,000-pound Light Armored Vehicle, 16 tons of cargo 50 miles and back“.
  • Ability to lift up to 36 tons, including several utility vehicles and light armored vehicles.
  • Provides dependability in a variety of mission scenarios while operating in challenging situations.

2.F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornet

An F/A-18A Hornet on display at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum.
Photo: Balon Greyjoy | Wikimedia Commons
Aircraft Type:  All- weather fighter / attack aircraft 
Manufacturer McDonnell Douglas 
Roles
  • Strike
  • Close air Support 
  • Air Superiority
Number of aircraft used 143

A few notes on the F/A-18A / C/ D Hornet:

  • Regarded as a Marine Corps tactical aviation (tac-air) “workhorse.”
  • Its dependability in challenging circumstances has been demonstrated in Desert Storm and all contemporary battles.
  • Has a leading-edge flap deflection of 34 degrees.
  • Variants include the Single-seat (A/C models) and dual-seat (B/D models).

Specifications

Maximum airspeed 1,190 mph 
Maximum range 2000 nautical miles
Engines Two General Electric F404-GE-402 enhanced performance turbofan engines. 
Thrust 17,750 lbs

Capabilities of the F/A-18A/B/C/D:

  • Carries a 20mm cannon, air-to-air missiles, AIM 9 Sidewinder, Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW), among others. 
  • Carries out close air support (CAS) and air superiority missions.
  • Delivers cyclic operations and performs effectively under challenging circumstances.
  • Supersonic speed capabilities with Mach 1.7+.

1. MV-22 Osprey

Bell-Boeing CV-22 Osprey of the United States Air Force
Photo: Julian Herzog | Wikimedia Commons
Aircraft Type:  All- weather fighter / attack aircraft 
Manufacturer Boeing Defense & Space / Bell Helicopter 
Roles
  • Medium- lift assault support 
Number of aircraft used 277

A few notes on the CV-22 Osprey:

  • The only tiltrotor aircraft in the world. 
  •  The production group of the V-22, according to Boeing, “consists of more than 500 US-based suppliers and employs over 27,000 people across 44 states.” 
  • The Osprey can be used for disaster relief, long-range infiltration, exfiltration, humanitarian missions, medium-range assault, medical evacuation special operations, search-and-rescue, among others. 
  • It can carry an external weight slung beneath the fuselage or 24 combat-equipped soldiers.
  • According to US Air Force Special Operations Command, the first operational CV-22 was delivered in January, while “the initial operational capability was achieved in 2009“.

Specifications

Maximum airspeed 1,190 mph 
Maximum range 2000 nautical miles
Engines Two General Electric F404-GE-402 enhanced performance turbofan engines. 
Thrust 17,750 lbs

Capabilities of the CV-22 Osprey:

  • Combines the agility of a helicopter with transit speeds comparable to those of an airliner.
  • Able to transport external loads or 24 combat-equipped soldiers.
  • Each wing is equipped with nacelles (engine and prop-rotor group).
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