Not the Hornet vs. Tomcat thing again... :roll:
This is pretty much a moot point because US carriers aren't carrying anywhere near the amount of planes they used to, space isn't really an issue anymore.
Right on :up: Gotta add in that the Tomcat has much more range as well, plus it's way cooler! :rock:

OOoooooooh, moral dilemma...

I like the F-18 AND the F-14!!
Who shall I pitch for....?
MMmmmm
Errrrrrr

I'VE GOTTIT!!

I pitch for the A-10!!
*is smacked over the head by fiance*

what other aircraft do us carriers operate and what for?

S3 viking for refueling
E2 hawk eye for AWACS
F-18E/F the primary strike fighter / bomber
A6 intruder for Electronic warefare
MH60 for Search and rescue (not sure on this one please correct)

And id imagine it could land any type of helo or carrier capible plane (including harriers)

F/A-18 Hornets for AAW, Strike ETC soon to be suplmented by the F/A-35
EA-6B Prowlers for EW and (Theroicly SEAD) they are now being replaced by the F/A-18G Growler
E-2C Hawkeye AWACS
S-3B Viking for ASuW, Maratime Recon and ASW (if reequipped)
SH-60F Seahawks for ASW and Plane Guard duities
HH-60H Seahawks for Strike, Sepc Ops support and SAR

They can also carry ES-3A Shadows for ELINT but I think all those have been retired. The C-2 Greyhound for COD can be stored aboard but is genneraly stationed on shore.

The only limit on what can land on a US CVN is basicly how it takes off (and if it can land in the given space or has a hook). Some aircraft like French (I think) and Russian fighters don't use the same catapult system (or use a cat system at all in the case of the Russians)

Put the SU33 or 37 on the deck of a nimitz and it will take off the deck is long enough for brakes on power full release take off, providing it is not loaded.

The SU33 and 37's are STOL capible.

French rafells and etandards have landed and taken off on Nimits carriers, so have british and even private light air craft such as cessna's.

Well I say taking off unloaded dosn't really count since their are proably many aircraft that could take off from a CV's deck if loaded with just a few hundred gallons of fuel. ;)

I thought the French used a different catapult arrangement than the USN. :hmm: Maybe I was mistaken...

Beside the Harrier and Helos has anything British (besides their US built jets) landed and taken off from a US Carrier since WWII? :ping:

I know that there was an exchange of Phantoms amongst a US and UK carrier in the 60's or 70's, with hilarious results, I'll post later when I find pics. :D

This is what happens when you park your Phantom in a bad neighborhood! :D
http://www.cybermodeler.net/aircraft...ges/892Sqn.jpg

In Finland F-18s land and take of from small and narrow highway bases, cool stuff. http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/imgarchive/...lleria_hn2.jpg http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/imgarchive/...lleria_hn1.jpg http://www.ilmavoimat.fi/imgarchive/...lleria_hn4.jpg

@Bort: HAHAHA Nice. :up:

@Happy Times: Oh thats nothing, the old F-8 Cruisader took off safely a few times with its wings folded. The Fins should have purchased a few of those! :rock:

Yes, but this is cooler:
http://www.topedge.com/alley/images/f14a/f14a2r.jpg
http://www.topedge.com/alley/images/f14a/f14a211u.jpg

Bahhh this is how to take off!
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/3774/avzel12ah.jpg
The F-104 Starfighter, an aircraft that needs neather wings nor runway.

The Zero Length Launch Fighther
From: http://www.vectorsite.net/indexav.html

Now that's cojones!
Heres a link to some vids of zero length launches, including one out of a barn, and some other crazy aviattion stuff:http://www.airandspacemagazine.com/A...e/QT/Menu.html

Da da da dun...I went through the DANGER ZONE!

PD