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
Photo: Senior Airman Max Rechel | Wikimedia Commons
| Aircraft Type: |
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| Manufacturer | McDonnell Douglas / BAE Systems |
| Roles |
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| 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
Photo: Sdr Ldr Nikki Lofthouse | Wikimedia Commons
| Aircraft Type: |
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| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin (with partners Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems) |
| Roles |
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| 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
Photo: Mark Harkin | Wikimedia Commons
| Aircraft Type: | Aerial refueling and transport aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Roles |
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| 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
Photo: MC2 Dustin Kelling | Wikimedia Commons
| Aircraft Type: | Attack helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Bell Helicopter |
| Roles |
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| 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 |
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| 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:
- Improved targeting systems and an enhanced gearbox.
- Able to fire a turreted 20mm cannon and launch rockets and precision-guided missiles.
- Recently, the aircraft was tested with Marine Air-Ground Tablet (MAGTAB).
5. AV-8B Harrier II (Plus)
Photo: Valder137 | Wikimedia Commons
| Aircraft Type: | V/STOL ground-attack aircraft |
| Manufacturer | McDonnell Douglas / BAE System |
| Roles |
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| 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
Photo: Marines | Wikimedia Commons
| Aircraft Type: | Utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Bell Aircraft Corporation |
| Roles |
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| 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
Photo: Acroterion | Wikimedia Commons
| Aircraft Type: | Heavy- lift helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky aircraft |
| Roles |
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| 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 carry “a 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
Photo: Balon Greyjoy | Wikimedia Commons
| Aircraft Type: | All- weather fighter / attack aircraft |
| Manufacturer | McDonnell Douglas |
| Roles |
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| 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
Photo: Julian Herzog | Wikimedia Commons
| Aircraft Type: | All- weather fighter / attack aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Boeing Defense & Space / Bell Helicopter |
| Roles |
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| 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).