The US Marines’ Most Used Aircraft Isn’t What You Think

24/7 Wall St. Insights

• With 288 aircraft, the V-22 Osprey combat helicopter is by far the most flown aircraft by the Marine Corps.
• First flown in September 1985, there is only one Gulfstream C-20 in active use by the Marines, making it the smallest aircraft amount in the fleet.
• Marine Corps aircraft serve a wide variety of aviation needs, ranging from air and assault support to presidential transportation.
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Typically, when people think of the U.S. Marine Corps, aircraft and aviation prowess are not what first come to mind. However, the aircraft arm of the Marine Corps does focus on the use of aircraft for various needs, including air and assault support, aerial reconnaissance, aircraft and missile control, and electronic warfare. Outside of a combat setting, the Marine Corps utilizes aviation to support governmental safety and protection, such as providing the president with helicopter transport. To facilitate this mission, the Marine Corps recently accepted a next-generation VH-92A helicopter built by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) company. Using Sikorsky aircraft, the Marine Corps has actually helped transport every president since 1957. (These are the 15 least popular U.S. presidents according to millennials, ranked.)

As you can see, aircraft are actually incredibly important to the Marine Corps. But what are the main aircraft that this military branch uses, and why? Here, 24/7 Wall St. compiled a list of aircraft using data from the 2024 report World Air Forces, from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website. We’ve ranked aircraft based on the number of units in active service in the Marine Corps. We’ve also offered information (per FlightGlobal) on the type of aircraft, the number in active service, and how many are on order. Data on first flights was obtained from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, arms, aircraft, and more.

For example, the AV-8B Harrier II is an important aircraft for the Marine Corps, designed for attack missions. Because it’s designed for short takeoffs and vertical landings, it’s often used for ground attack missions. Overall, 88 99 AV-8B Harrier IIs are currently in active service as combat and trainer aircraft.

For heavy-lift operations, the Marine Corps uses the CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, specifically designed for transporting heavy equipment and large numbers of troops. However, the CH-53K King Stallion is set to replace the Super Stallion, promising improved range, lifting capabilities, and advanced technologies.

Here are the aircraft in active service in the U.S. Marines:

14. Gulfstream C-20

• First Flight: September 1985
• Aircraft Type: Transport
• Active Units: 1

13. Beechcraft T-34 Mentor

• First Flight: December 1948
• Aircraft Type: Training
• Active Units: 2

12. Ch-53K King Stallion

• First Flight: December 2011
• Aircraft Type: Combat helicopter
• Active Units: 11 (with 193 on order)

11. Cessna Citation Sovereign

• First Flight: February 2002
• Aircraft Type: Transport
• Active Units: 10 (with 2 on order)

10. F-5 Freedom Fighter

• First Flight: July 1959
• Aircraft Type: Training
• Active Units: 12

9. Beechcraft C-12 Huron

• First Flight: October 1972
• Aircraft Type: Transport
• Active Units: 15 (with 2 on order)

8. KC-130 Super Hercules

• First Flight: January 1960
• Aircraft Type: Tanker
• Active Units: 69 (with 15 on order)

7. AV-8B Harrier II

• First Flight: November 1981
• Aircraft Type: Combat/training
• Active Units: 99

6. F-35 Lightning II

• First Flight: December 2006
• Aircraft Type: Combat/training
• Active Units: 145 (with 279 on order)

5. Bell UH-1Y Venom (Super Huey)

• First Flight: December 2001
• Aircraft Type: Combat helicopter
• Active Units: 127

4. CH-53E Super Stallion

• First Flight: March 1974
• Aircraft Type: Combat helicopter
• Active Units: 135

3. Bell AH-1Z Viper

• First Flight: December 2000
• Aircraft Type: Combat helicopter
• Active Units: 176

2. F/A-18 Hornet

• First Flight: November 1978
• Aircraft Type: Combat/training
• Active Units: 186

1. Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey

• First Flight: May 1977
• Aircraft Type: Combat helicopter
• Active Units: 288 (with 33 on order)

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