Carrier Air WingsThe reshaping of our Navy’s

force structure has had a significantimpact on the number, focus, sizeand capabilities of our carrier airwings. The current force of 10 activecarrier air wings and one reserve airwing is based on the 1993 Depart-ment of Defense Bottom-UpReview. To afford this number of airwings, and to equip them with mod-ernized aircraft, the Navy has

restructured the wings’ composition.The Navy is in the process of

reducing the number of aircraft typesthat fly from carrier decks—movingtoward a smaller, multipurpose forcethat consists of more capable andmore lethal multimission aircraft.Retirement of the venerable A-6EIntruder and transition to a mix ofF/A-18 Hornetsand F-14 Tomcatsisessentially complete, although twoair wings will operate with an addi-

tional F-14 squadron as an F/A-18placeholder until the fleet introduc-tion of the F/A-18E in 2001. Also, asmany as four Marine Corps F/A-18squadrons will deploy with Navycarrier air wings.

The carrier air wing’s multimissioncapability is considerable in terms offlexibility, effectiveness and sustain-ability. The tactical support providedby the electronic warfare capabilitiesof the EA-6B Prowler, the multipur-

Naval Aviation News July–August 1997 19

FlexibleResponsiveness

Every time a carrier deploys itcarries leading-edge systems

that—when combined with effec-tive tactics and well-trained peo-ple—ensure it can meet almostany warfighting requirement.

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pose, multisensor capabilities of theE-2C Hawkeye,and the expanded sur-veillance and reconnaissance role ofthe S-3B Vikingand ES-3A Shadowmake the air wing the most capablepower projection team ever assem-bled. The C-2A Greyhoundprovidescarrier onboard deliveries necessary tosustain the air wing and other battlegroup assets. Completing the air wingmix are the SH-60F and HH-60HSeahawkhelicopters, which providemultimission close-in support andcombat search and rescue.

Marine Corps AviationThe Marine Corps tailored orga-

nization for combat, the MarineAir-Ground Task Force (MAGTF),exploits the synergy inherent inclosely integrated air and groundoperations. Effectively blendinginfantry forces, artillery, armor and

tactical aviation, the MAGTF gener-ates maximum combat power withminimum logistical footprint. EachMAGTF is an integrated combinedarms team.

Naval Aviation supports theMAGTF in six functional warfareareas: offensive air support, antiairwarfare, assault support, air recon-naissance, electronic warfare andcontrol of aircraft and missiles. Toperform these missions, the Marinesrequire several different types of air-craft, both fixed- and rotary-wing,including unmanned aerial vehicles,as well as the support equipment tomaintain and control them.Presently, Marine aircraft aredeployed on board amphibious shipsas part of the Marine ExpeditionaryUnit (Special Operations Capable)and with several carrier air wings.

In order to enhance Marine avia-

tion’s role in MAGTF expeditionaryoperations, the Commandant of theMarine Corps has set a goal to reducethe number of models of aircraft thatare being operated. A simultaneousobjective is to achieve an all short-takeoff/vertical-landing aviation com-ponent. This transition will be accom-plished while ensuring thatstate-of-the-art capabilities are main-tained in the required functional areas.Modernization initiatives to enhancenight and adverse weather effective-ness, improve aircraft supportability,reliability and maintainability, andreduce strategic lift dependency alsoremain essential to the fulfillment ofour warfighting requirements.

A Balanced ApproachAs Naval Aviation moves into the

21st century, we will continue to use

20 Naval Aviation News July–August 1997

Supportinga continuous forward pres-ence in the “strategichubs” of theMediterranean Sea andIndian and western Pacificoceans would require 14 aircraftcarriers. Presently, a force of 12 aircraft carriers(11 active and 1 operational reserve) meets thisrequirement at an acceptable level of risk.

a systems approach to improve itscapabilities. This approach entails abalance of affordable, multimissionplatforms, systems and weapons.New aircraft and technology willprovide Naval Aviation with greaterlethality, increased reliability andenhanced survivability. Reducing thenumber of aircraft types and transi-tioning from single mission to multi-mission platforms will provideNaval Aviation with greater missionflexibility and cost-effective mainte-nance, as well as a flexible logisticssupport base.

The graphic at right illustrateshow an approach consisting ofmany contributing elements resultsin mission success. Like the stabili-ty inherent in a table with 10 legs, abalanced approach provides NavalAviation with a higher probability

of success. All of the elements con-tribute, yet no single elementrequires perfect execution toachieve the ultimate goal.

Balance includes affordableavionics systems which are lighter,smaller, less complex and possessgreater functionality. Naval Aviationwill field dual-use systems that can

adapt to emerging communication,navigational, safety and computingconcepts, and that promote safe andefficient flight in Department ofDefense, U.S. civil and internationalair space.

In the next century, the speed andthoroughness with which accurateinformation is collected, analyzed

Naval Aviation News July–August 1997 21

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22

Sea-based Air

U.S. Naval Aviation is a multifaceted andversatile warfighting team, consisting of

Navy and Marine Corps personnel, aircraft,organizations and facilities. Operating from seaand shore bases, Navy and Marine Corps avia-tion units perform a wide range of missionsthroughout the world. In combination withcruise missile-equipped ships and submarinesand the ground combat and combat servicesupport elements of Marine Air-Ground TaskForces, Naval Aviation can project decisive,dominant military power from the sea.

SH-60B Seahawk

CH-46 Sea Knight

MH-53E Sea Dragon

C-2A Greyhound

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Naval Aviation News July–August 1997

Most U.S. Navy ships have the capabilityto support air operations and all navalvessels can be serviced by helicopters.

F-14D Tomcat

F/A-18 Hornet

S-3B Viking

ES-3A Shadow

E-2C Hawkeye

Ted Carlson

By its very nature, sea-basedaviation allows the nation’sleaders to react to events in ameasured but militarily signifi-cant manner, increasing ordecreasing the weight of theirpresence as events ashore dictate.

LCdr. Mike Harrison

EA-6B Prowler

Lt. Bryan Fetter

Marine Air

First to fight. This is more thanjust a Marine Corps recruitingslogan—this is the legacy of theUnited States naval services. Forover 220 years, this nation haslearned that it can look to theNavy and Marine Corps team toprovide an on-the-scene, forward-deployed, sea-based combinedarms force to maintain the peaceand, when necessary, to win ournation’s battles.

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and protected will be increasinglyimportant. With its current andplanned systems, Naval Aviationprovides a balanced command, con-trol and sensor architecture to shapejoint operations, as well as the air-borne platforms to support them.

Finally, balance means pursuingthe right mix of low observability,countermeasures, threat avoidance,tactics, and standoff weapons.

There is no one technology orattribute that can meet all missionrequirements. Taking a balancedapproach will allow Naval Aviationto fulfill its mission requirementseven when one element has adiminished effectiveness due to anenemy’s capabilities.

This balanced systems approachto improvement will ensure thatNaval Aviation continues to respond

rapidly, credibly and with flexibilityto all future contingencies.

On the HorizonDuring the cold war, from 1946

through 1989, the Navy–MarineCorps team responded to some 190crises, about one crisis-responseoperation every 11 weeks. In rough-ly 80 percent of these situations, the

Multimission Maritime, Supportand Training Aircraft

Within Naval Aviation, the Navy possesses a large and variedforce of combat and support aircraft. Whether sea- or land-

based, the Naval Aviation communities and their aircraft are key ele-ments in the service’s ability to achieve its operational and tacticalobjectives.

Awell trained force is the major contributor to readiness. NavalAviation produces the finest Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers,

enlisted and support personnel in the world.

P-3C Orion

C-130 Hercules

E-6B Mercury

EP-3E Aries II

T-34C Turbo-Mentor

T-45A Goshawk

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focus of the U.S. response was anaircraft carrier battle group, anamphibious ready group, MarineCorps aviation, or land-based navalair power. In the 1990–1997 period,the Navy and Marine Corps havebeen called upon to respond to crisesand combat in over 75 instances, orone crisis response every three and ahalf weeks—more than three timesthe cold war rate. Again, NavalAviation played a central role inmost of these cases.

In the next century, the only cer-tainty is that the geopolitical climatewill continue to evolve, and NavalAviation must stand ready to providecredible deterrence and precise mar-itime power projection that willenable us to defeat any threat. TheNaval Aviation Vision will guide usin making near-, mid- and long-termdecisions that will enable us toremain the flexible, mobile and for-ward-deployed centerpiece ofAmerican military power.

The publication Naval Aviation . . . ForwardAir Power . . . From the Seais being distrib-uted to all Naval Aviation squadrons, bases,ships and headquarters. To obtain additionalcopies, write to: Chief of Naval Operations(N88WB), 2000 Navy Pentagon, Room4E367, Washington, D.C. 20350-2000.

26 Naval Aviation News July–August 1997

The Future

Naval Aviation’s future will buildupon a heritage of innovation and

tactical and operational excellence.From the next-generation aircraft carrier, to advanced multi-mission aircraft such as theJoint Strike Fighter and theCommon Support Aircraft,to tilt-rotor aircraft, NavalAviation’s Vision is one ofadaptation, evolution andsuccess.

Over the next decade and a half, the Navy willmake the transition from today’s Nimitz-class

carriers to a new carrier class that builds upon newtechnologies and concepts. The ships of this class,currently called CVX, will be in service well past themidpoint of the 21st century.

F/A-18E Super Hornet

T-6A Texan II

MV-22 Osprey

JSF concept

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