This is the newest and most advanced fighter jet to enter the US Navy

24/7 Wall St. Outlook:

• The F-35 Lightning II is the newest fighter jet to enter the US Navy and is one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world.
• Its stealth technology is highly advanced as a result of the aircraft’s structure and radar-absorbing materials
• The F-35 was developed by Lockheed Martin and entered service in 2016
• Also: dividend legends to be kept forever

Compared to all other militaries in the world, the US Navy itself is home to one of the most advanced fleets of aircraft. While many nations are cobbling together fleets of Cold War-era aircraft, the US Navy has introduced some of its most cutting-edge aircraft only in recent decades. Chief among these is the F-35 Lightning II.

The F-35 Lightning II represents a giant leap in aviation technology. It combines advanced stealth, speed and firepower as one of the newest fifth-generation fighters on the planet. It was only introduced in 2016, but has become extremely popular since then, with hundreds of these planes on order. (This country buys the most F-35 Lightning IIs, and it’s not even close.)

Developed by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 Lightning II’s stealth technology makes it virtually invisible to radar. Its stealth capabilities are a result of its unique airframe design, which minimizes the radar cross-section. It was also designed with radar-absorbing materials covering much of its surface. The fact that this jet carries its armament internally further improves its stealth profile.

The model used by the Navy, the F-35C, is specifically designed for transport operations. It has larger wings and slightly different landing gear to handle catapult launches. The F-35 is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, which allows the plane to reach speeds of up to Mach 1.6, or 1,200 mph.

Especially for naval operations, the F-35 plays an important role not only in direct combat but also in electronic warfare with its advanced systems. Its stealth capabilities also make it ideal for reconnaissance.

While the F-35 Lightning II is the newest fighter jet to enter the US Navy, there are a handful of other aircraft that play important roles within the Navy as well. 24/7 Wall St. take a closer look at the Navy’s arsenal and what it has to offer. (Exploring the Future of Military Aviation.)

To identify the newest 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 the aircraft chronologically. In addition, we have included additional information about the type of aircraft, how many are in active service, maximum speed and armament. I have excluded all training aircraft.

Here’s a look at the US Navy’s newest aircraft:

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.

18. 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

17. KC-130 Super Hercules

• Type: Tanker / transport plane
• Year of introduction: 1962
• Active aircraft: 11
• Maximum speed: 416 mph
• Armament: N/A

16. E-2 Hawkeye

• Type: Airborne command post
• Year of introduction: 1964
• Active aircraft: 83
• Maximum speed: 375 mph
• Armament: N/A

15. C-2 Greyhound

• Type: Carrier-based cargo/transport aircraft
• Year of introduction: 1967
• Active aircraft: 26
• Maximum speed: 331 mph
• Armament: N/A

14. C-12 Huron

• Type: Special mission aircraft
• Year of introduction: 1974
• Active aircraft: 13
• Maximum speed: 332 mph
• Armament: N/A

13. 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

12. 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

11. C-20 Gulfstream IV

• Type: Military VIP passenger transport aircraft
• Year of introduction: 1983
• Active aircraft: 2
• Maximum speed: 582 mph
• Armament: N/A

10. E-6B Mercury

• Type: Airborne command post
• Year of introduction: 1989
• Active aircraft: 16
• Maximum speed: 603 mph
• Armament: N/A

9. Bell 407

• Type: Light utility helicopter
• Year of introduction: 1996
• Active aircraft: 5
• Maximum speed: 162 mph
• Armament: N/A

8. C-130J Super Hercules

• Type: Medium tactical transport aircraft
• Year of introduction: 1999
• Active aircraft: 18
• Maximum speed: 416 mph
• Armament: N/A

7. 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

6. C-40 Clipper

• Type: Transport aircraft
• Year of introduction: 2001
• Active aircraft: 17
• Maximum speed: 544 mph
• Armament: N/A

5. C-26D Metroliner

• Type: Transport aircraft
• Year of introduction: 2003
• Active aircraft: 8
• Maximum speed: 331 mph
• Armament: N/A

4. 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

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. 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

1. 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

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