Dwight Eisenhower (CVN 69) - Naval Cruise Book

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Embarked aircraft Hornet The F A-18 Hornet is the Navy ' s newest and most tech- nically advanced fighter attack aircraft. It is a high-per- formance, twin-engine, single-seat, all-weather aircraft capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground warfare. In the air-to-air mode, the Hornet employs Sparrow and Side- wander missiles, and a 20-mm Vulcan cannon. In the air- to-ground mode, the aircraft carries a variety of of con- ventional and smart weapons. The strike-fighter squad- rons VFA- 1 3 1 Wildcats and VFA- 1 36 Knighthawks, both based at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Fla., fly the Hornet from IKE. Prowler The EA-6B Prowler is a four-seat jet aircraft with a primary mission of providing electronic warfare support to the battle group by detecting and jamming enemy radar signals. Modem anti-air defense systems, whether they use missile, gunfire or fighter-interceptors, rely heavily on radar tracking and guidance. By denying an enemy the use of his radars, the Prowler can effectively screen friendly strike aircraft and neutralize enemy weapons systems. The tactical electronic squadron VAQ- 140 Patriots, based at Naval Air Station Whidby Island, Wash., flies the Prowler from IKE. Viking The S-3B Viking is the first completely computerized, carrier-based, jet anti-submarine aircraft. It has all- weather capability to search for, localize and destroy enemy submarine and surface ships in the battle group operating area. The Viking is designed to carry homing torpedoes, mines, depth charges. Harpoon cruise mis- siles and rockets. The air anti-submarine squadron VS- 31 Topcats, based at Navcd Air Station Cecil Field, Fla., flies the S-3B from IKE.

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Tomcat The F-14A-P1US Tomcat is the Navy ' s newest fighter. A two-seat, twin-engine all weather aircraft, it is capable of flying at speeds near Mach II. The Tomcat features variable sweep wings and can carry Sparrow, Sidewinder and the long range Phoenix missiles. Its mission is to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft, and maintain air superiority in the outer perimeter of the carrier battle group. The fighter squadrons VF-142 Ghostriders and VF- 143 World Famous Pukin Dogs, both based at Naval Air Station Oceana. Va., fly the Tomcat from IKE. Intruder The A-6E Intruder is a two-seat, low-level medium attack bomber which can deliver weapons with pinpoint accuracy deep into hostile territory, in all weather condi- tions, day or night. The Intruder can cany up to five 2,000-pound bombs, or 28 500-pound bombs. The KA- 6D model of the Intruder is the tanker version used for in- flight refueling. The attack squadron VA-34 Blue Blas- ters, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., flies the A- 6E and KA-6D versions of the Intruder from IKE. Sea King The SH-3H Sea King is a gas turbine-powered helicopter used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue and ship-to-ship cargo and personnel transfer. Capable of staying airborne for more than five hours, the Sea King uses sonobouys, dipping sonar, magnetic anomaly de- tection and multi-channel relay equipment to locate enemy submarines. The helicopter anti-submarine squadron HS-5 Night Dippers, based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., flies the Sea King from IKE. Hawkeye The E-2C Hawkeye is a twin-engine turbo-prop aircraft designed to provide battle group units with early detec- tion and warning of approaching enemy forces. Using its distinctive disk radar and communications equipment, the H awkeye provides strike and traffic control, area sur- veillance, search and rescue guidance, navigational as- sistance and communications relay. The carrier early warning squadron VAW-121 Blue Tails, based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va., flies the Hawkeye from IKE.