The United States Naval Aviation celebrated their century of flight in 2011. Within their hundred years of existence the Navy took a major leap in development from first to fifth generation pushing the envelope of aviation technology. From the Curtiss biplane performing its first arrested landing and takeoff from a Navy vessel to today’s state of the art fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
Naval Aviation is a story of vision, innovation and continuous improvements. The past decade has presented many struggles in an ever-changing world and the Navy command managed to master all the challenges keeping the service on top of the stage of naval air power.
In this past decade, the Navy invested significant time and effort to standardize the fleet of both fixed and rotary wing aircraft within their operational inventory, carefully introducing and implementing stealth technology within their capabilities.

In 2011, the US Naval Aviation celebrated its 100th Anniversary. From the formation in 1911 until today, the US Naval Air Forces increased to an extensive size and is used as an effective force to rapidly deploy to conflicts throughout the world. Forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security and humanitarian assistance are the six missions currently specified for the maritime strategy. Today’s naval aviation comprises more than 100,000 officers and sailors assigned to 11 aircraft carriers, nine carrier air wings, 25 Naval Air stations and 168 fleet, reserve, and training squadrons.