Now that the F-14's have been retired, how has this effected the typical make up of the carrier air wing? The H4.1 data annex lists examples of air wings circa 1996. Is it as simple as doubling the F/A-18? If so, what is the breakdown between the F/A-18C/D's and the F/A-18E/F's?

 

Thanks,

 

Pete

I think generally speaking, Pete, you will see two F/A-18 squadrons (12 a/c each) added in substitution for two squadrons of F-14s, or in some cases, a squadron of F-14s and a squadron of F/A-18s. For example, around the time that the transition to the Super Hornet began, the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) had CVW-11 embarked, comprised of (as of December 31, 2003):

 

VFA-41 (12 x F/A-18F) “Black Aces”

VFA-14 (12 x F/A-18E) “Tophatters”

VFA-94 (12 x F/A-18C) “Mighty Shrikes”

VFA-97 (12 x F/A-18A) “War Hawks”

VAW-117 (4 x E-2C) “Wallbangers”

VAQ-135 (4 x EA-6B) “Black Ravens”

VS-29 (8 x S-3B) “Screaming Dragonfires” (which was due to disestablished Apr 2004)

VRC-30 (Det 3) (4 x C-2A) “Providers”

HS-6 (2 x HH-60F/4 SH-60F) “Indians”

 

Afaik, they're still looking for funding to replace the older F/A-18s with E/F models, so you might see F/A-18A+ for awhile yet. I think there was a website that showed the current organization and composition of US Navy carrier air wings, but I can't recall offhand what it was.

Thanks again Brad.

 

H4.1 Data Annex B groups its two Hornet entries as F/A-18C/D and F/A-18E/F, each consolidated. I do not have my H4(.0) data annex handy, but should the F/A-18A appear within, is there any major heartburn using that data? I know that some other platforms also disappeared in the transition to 4.1, most probably due to them being effectively unemployed before the "start-date" of the platforms effective use - some may have slipped away by accident, such as the F/A-18A.

 

Thanks again,

 

Pete

Pete, I don't have any official H4/4.1 data for the F/A-18A+, but essentially it is an F/A-18A airframe with upgraded avionics to make it compatible with the F/A-18C, including the APG-73 radar and AIM-120 AMRAAM. It was found mostly among the Reserve Marine fighter attack squadrons, and IIRC, a couple of the Navy squadrons. In fact, I think one of the Navy squadrons may have traded its C models for the F/A-18A+ because the latter had fewer lifetime traps.

USN F/A-18A+ retained the APG-65 radar (unlike the USMC) - they can use pretty much all F/A-18C/D weapons except retain AAS-38B as the cockpit displays aren't suitable for ATFLIR.

 

Venezuelas' F-16s have poor maintenance from 2003 due to lack of spares. They might have been fitted with Python 4 AAM 2004-06.

 

Loadouts for Mi-17V5:

4 B-8 rocket pods or

2 B-8 rocket pods, 2 UPK-23 23mm gun pods

 

MI-35M2 have the standard 12.7mm nose turret gun and are fitted with RWR, IR jammer, decoys, IR suppression, FLIR, laser designator, NVG. They have 4 HP vice the standard 6, estimated loadout

8 AT-6 Spiral, 2 B-8 rocket pods

 

Mi-26T2 is used by the Army. You could use it to relocate radars or even, as In Vietnam, move aircraft from FOL to FOL.

 

Don't firget teh Mirage 50EV with Cyrano IV radar and Exocet msls:

2 1700 L drop tanks, 1 AM.39 Exocet Block II, 2 Magic 2 msls

 

SU-30MK2 have N-001V radar. they lack thrust vectoring or canards so are more like perhaps the Su-30MKI with standard SU-27 ATA? No idea on loadouts although R-73, R-77 and Kh-31A are possible.

USN F/A-18A+ retained the APG-65 radar (unlike the USMC) - they can use pretty much all F/A-18C/D weapons except retain AAS-38B as the cockpit displays aren't suitable for ATFLIR.

 

Good point. And welcome to the HarpGamer forums, Peter.