1
In the abbreviation CVW, CV means aircraft carrier and W means air wing. In addition to the
10 active-duty CVWs, the Navy also operates one reserve tactical air wing.
2
In addition to the three active-duty MAWs, the Marine Corps operates one reserve MAW.
3
As of April 2008, DON operated a total of 964 Hornets and Super Hornets, including 334 Navy
(continued...)
Order Code RS22875
May 12, 2008
Navy-Marine Corps Strike-Fighter Shortfall:
Background and Options for Congress
Ronald O’Rourke
Specialist in Naval Affairs
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Summary
Members of Congress this year have expressed concern about a projected inventory
shortfall in Navy and Marine Corps strike-fighters. Some industry sources believe the
shortfall is likely to be much larger than the Navy currently projects. Congress has
several potential options for addressing the shortfall, including extending the service
lives of existing strike-fighters and increasing planned procurement of strike-fighters.
This report will be updated as events warrant.
Background
Navy and Marine Corps Strike-Fighters. The Navy and Marine Corps, which
are both part of the Department of the Navy (DON), each operate hundreds of strike-
fighters, which are tactical aircraft that can conduct both air-to-ground (i.e., strike) and
air-to-air (i.e., fighter) operations. Strike-fighters constitute the majority of the aircraft
in each of the Navy’s 10 active-duty aircraft carrier air wings (CVWs)
1
— of the 70 or
more aircraft typically embarked on a Navy aircraft carrier, 44 are strike-fighters. Strike-
fighters also constitute a significant portion of the Marine Corps’ three active-duty Marine
air wings (MAWs).
2
Some Marine Corps strike-fighters are assigned to Navy CVWs.
The principal strike-fighter operated by the Navy and Marine Corps is the F/A-18
Hornet/Super Hornet, manufactured by Boeing. The older A through D models of the
F/A-18 are called Hornets, while the newer, larger, and more capable E and F models are
called Super Hornets. The Navy operates more than 600 Hornets and Super Hornets,
while the Marine Corps operates more than 200 Hornets, plus roughly 130 AV-8B
Harriers, which are short takeoff, vertical landing (STOVL) attack aircraft.
3
