Navy Fighter Pilots Still Get Carrier Training Despite Graduation Change

Despite recent adjustments to graduation requirements for new fighter pilots, some trainees in the U.S. Navy are still getting carrier qualifications aboard aircraft carriers. This opportunity is available through T-45 Goshawk jet trainers, although it is no longer a mandatory part of the curriculum for strike pilots.

The Navy has made changes to its training programs to reflect evolving needs and technological advancements. For instance, carrier qualifications have been removed as a requirement for students in the strike pipeline. However, this does not apply universally; E-2 Hawkeye pilots and international military student aviators still need these qualifications, at least temporarily.

The service is currently evaluating new methods to ensure key carrier aviation training can continue, even as it prepares to replace its T-45 fleet with a next-generation trainer that will not be capable of performing carrier landing touch-and-go training. This shift underscores the Navy's commitment to adapting its training programs to meet modern operational demands.

Recently, pictures were released showing T-45s conducting carrier qualifications aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower at the end of June 2026. These photos depict a mix of students: 17 E-2 pilots, seven international military students, and two strike students. The decision to include some strike students in this training is contingent on available deck time and aircraft availability.

According to the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), carrier qualifications remain an essential component of the training pipeline for E-2 and international military student aviators. The timing of these qualifications depends on various factors, including the trainee's position within their curriculum and the availability of resources at sea.

The current shift away from real-world carrier landings in the strike pilot syllabus raises questions about future training requirements once the T-45s are phased out entirely. As Capt. Duane Whitmer, head of the Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program office at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), explained, discussions regarding specific changes to the carrier qualification syllabus after UJTS is fielded would be premature given that T-45s are planned to remain operational through 2040.

The Navy's ongoing efforts to modernize its training systems while maintaining critical skills highlight a delicate balance between adapting to technological advancements and preserving traditional methods of pilot development. As the service transitions towards new training paradigms, it remains committed to ensuring that future aviators are well-prepared for carrier-based operations when they eventually take command in their respective roles.