The Super Hornet is one of the most heavily armed aircraft of the US Navy

24/7 Wall St. Outlook:

• The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was introduced in 1999 and has become a staple fighter of the US Navy.
• Can be equipped with air-to-air missiles, common direct attack munitions (dropped/guided bombs), or even anti-ship missiles; the M61 Vulcan 20mm cannon comes standard
• The Super Hornet has proven effective in the Middle East in conducting airstrikes throughout the US’s global war on terror.
• Also: dividend legends to be kept forever

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet has made a name for itself as a powerhouse in the US Navy since its introduction in 1999. Not to be confused with its predecessor, the original F/A-18 Hornet, the Super Hornet has a more large, increased payload capacity and advanced avionics. However, what really sets the Super Hornet apart from the competition is its ability to carry a variety of missiles and munitions, making it one of the most heavily armed aircraft in the Navy’s arsenal. (These are the most iconic fighter jets built by Boeing.)

For some quick specs of the plane, it has a maximum takeoff weight of 66,000 pounds and can carry over 17,000 pounds of ammunition. The frame is equipped to handle air-to-air missiles, common direct attack munitions (dropped/guided bombs) or even anti-ship missiles. Each of these aircraft also comes standard with a Vulcan M61 20mm cannon.

Apart from the E/F variants of the Super Hornet, another variant, the EA-18G Growler, has been developed which specializes in electronic warfare. However, the Growler can still equip missiles and ammo as well.

The Super Hornet is powered by two General Electric F414 engines and can reach speeds above Mach 1.5. It has a combat range of about 1,200 miles.

Since its introduction in 1999, the Super Hornet has been instrumental in a number of US Navy engagements and operations. It has proven effective in the Middle East in conducting airstrikes throughout the US global war on terror.

The Super Hornet stands above many fighter jets when it comes to weaponry. However, it is only one of the combat aircraft that is employed by the US Navy. (This stealth military jet flies twice the speed of sound.)

24/7 Wall St. take a closer look at what other fighter jets the Navy has in its arsenal. To identify the most heavily armed aircraft flown by the US Navy, 24/7 Wall St. analyzed data from the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website, and ranked aircraft based on their armament. In addition, we have included additional information about the type of aircraft, how many are in active service, maximum speed and more. I have excluded all training aircraft.

Here’s a look at the most heavily armed aircraft in the US Navy:

Why are we covering this?

24/7 would like our readers to understand where their tax dollars are being spent. The Navy received $202.6 billion in government funding in 2024, second only to the Air Force at $216.1. billion. In fiscal year 2025, the Navy requested $16.6 billion of its funding to purchase 75 aircraft and helicopters, which is actually slightly less than in 2024.

8. MV-22 Osprey

• Type: Tilt-rotor VTOL aircraft
• Year of introduction: 2007
• Active aircraft: 27
• Maximum speed: 316 mph
• Armament: 7.62 mm machine guns, 12.7 mm machine guns

7. MH-53E Pave Low

• Type: Multirole transport helicopter
• Year of introduction: 1981
• Active aircraft: 26
• Maximum speed: 196 mph
• Armament: 7.62 mm M134 machine guns, 12.7 mm Browning M2 heavy machine guns

6. P-8A Poseidon

• Type: Multi-mission, anti-submarine reconnaissance aircraft
• Year of introduction: 2013
• Active aircraft: 118
• Maximum speed: 490 mph
• Armament: Torpedoes, naval mines, air-to-surface missiles, anti-ship missiles, cruise missiles

5. S-70 Black Hawk

• Type: Medium lift multi-mission helicopter
• Year of introduction: 1979
• Active aircraft: 454
• Maximum speed: 183 mph
• Armament: 7.62mm Machine Guns, Hellfire Missiles, 12.7mm Gatling Guns, M134 Gatling Guns, Missile Pods, 30mm Chain Cannon

4. P-3 Orion

• Type: Multi-mission, anti-submarine reconnaissance aircraft
• Year of introduction: 1962
• Active aircraft: 17
• Maximum speed: 466 mph
• Armament: Torpedoes, Depth Charges, Harpoon Missiles, SLAM-ER Missiles, Maverick Missiles, Naval Mines, Unguided Missiles

3. Growler EA-18G

• Type: Carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft
• Year of introduction: 2009
• Active aircraft: 153
• Maximum speed: 1,181 mph
• Armament: Detection Pods, High Band Jamming Bridges, Low Band Jamming Bridges, AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR, SHARP, Harm Missiles, AMRAAM Missiles, Joint Range Weapons

2. F-35C Lightning II

• Type: Fifth generation multi-role strike fighters
• Year of introduction: 2016
• Active aircraft: 30
• Maximum speed: 1,199 mph
• Armament: GAU-12/U 25mm Cannon in External Bridge, Sidewinder Missiles, Paveway Guided Bombs, Rockeye II Bombs, Brimstone Missiles, Storm Shadow Missiles, Drop Bombs

1. F/A-18 Super Hornet

• Type: Carrier-based strike fighters
• Year of introduction: 1999
• Active aircraft: 421
• Maximum speed: 1,187 mph
• Armament: M61A1 Vulcan 20mm Autocannon, Sidewinder Missiles, AMRAAM Missiles, Harpoon Missiles, HARM Missiles, Maverick Missiles, Joint Direct Attack Ammunition, Rockeye II Bombs, General Purpose Bombs

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