A Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk assigned to the HSC-25 Island Knights pictured at its home base of Andersen AFB in Guam. The MH-60S has succeeded the Boeing H-46 Sea Knight series helicopter in Navy service and is steadily replacing the Sikorsky UH-3H Sea King as well as the HH-60H and SH-60F Seahawks.

Lockheed Martin's X-35C Joint Strike Fighter concept demonstrator was used to develop the configuration of the F-35C variant. The F-35C is scheduled to replace the F/A-18C Hornet from 2013.

A Grumman F-14D Tomcat of VF-213 Black Lions is pictured returning to the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Arabian Gulf in November 2005. This cruise, which also involved VF-31 Tomcatters, was the last operational deployment for this famous aircraft.

A Lockheed S-3B Viking from VS-24 Scouts receives the signal to launch from the USS Theodore Roosevelt. This aircraft carries a 'buddy store' for air-to-air refuelling under the port wing. The S-3B is being replaced in the tanking role by Super Hornets, while versions of the Seahawk helicopter will assume more responsibility for ASW.

A Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye of VAW-116 Sun Kings. The US Navy is to take delivery of the latest version of the Hawkeye, the E-2D, in 2009.

An F/A-18E Super Hornet from VFA-137 Kestrels refuels an EA-6B Prowler of VAQ-131 Lancers. Each carrier deploys with one Prowler unit comprising four aircraft to undertake electronic attack missions. The Super Hornet’s ability to refuel other aircraft is enabling the Navy to phase out the Lockheed S-3B Viking.

Shown without its weapons pylons, a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to VFA-103 Jolly Rogers executes a steep climb. The two-seat F/A-18F has replaced the F-14 as a strike fighter in the US Navy's carrier air wings and also undertakes reconnaissance and forward air control missions.

Boeing configured this F/A-18F Super Hornet to represent an EA-18G Growler in trials. The Growler is scheduled to replace the long-serving EA-6B Prowler in fleet service from 2009.

A Sikorsky MH-53E Sea Dragon mine-countermeasures helicopter assigned to HM-14 Vanguards prepares to take off from Bahrain. The US Navy's two HM squadrons share rotation of a detachment in the Arabian Gulf region for mine countermeasures and vertical-onboard-delivery duties.

An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to VFA-106 Gladiators 'traps' on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt. VFA-106 is one of four Navy and Marine Corps squadrons which provide type training on the Hornet.

Space is a valuable commodity on an aircraft carrier and consequently the C-2A Greyhound carrier-onboard-delivery aircraft was designed with folding wings. Each carrier normally deploys with two C-2As, which carry passengers, spare parts, mail, and other cargo between the vessel and shore bases.