Stealth vs. Speed: A Submarine Commander's Analysis of F/A-18 Carrier Operations

By Tony Grayson, Tech Executive (ex-SVP Oracle, AWS, Meta) & Former Nuclear Submarine Commander

Published: November 29, 2025 | Last Updated: December 22, 2025

A former Navy Submarine Commander analyzes the operational excellence of U.S. Navy flight deck operations. Watch F/A-18 Super Hornets demonstrate high-performance teamwork.

Tony Grayson shows a high-angle view of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) as it transits the ocean, its flight deck crowded with a full complement of aircraft, including numerous F/A-18 Super Hornets and several helicopters.

TL;DR — Key Takeaways

• Stealth vs. Speed—same standard. Submarines prioritize silence and avoidance; carrier air wings prioritize speed and visible power. Both demand identical operational excellence.

• Three universal principles. Precision and Procedure (success measured in millimeters), Team Reliance (every sailor must perform perfectly), Managing High Risk (visible on deck, silent below waves).

• EMALS changes everything. Ford-class carriers use electromagnetic catapults for precise launch force—reducing airframe stress and enabling new aircraft designs.

• A trap is a controlled crash. Arrested landings stop aircraft from flying speed in two seconds across 300 feet. The violence requires specially strengthened airframes

As a former U.S. Navy Submarine Commander, I spent most of my career hundreds of feet below the water, mastering stealth and avoidance. My world was defined by silence, high operational rigor, and the relentless pursuit of the unseen.

But I have to admit, the Naval Air Wing makes better video than we do.

Their world is about the raw, visible speed and power of F/A-18 carrier operations. It’s a completely different environment, but the standard of operational excellence is the same. The contrast between my experience—which involved the intricate details of life below the surface, as detailed in What Daily Life on a Submarine Is Really Like—and the raw energy of the flight deck is immense.

I'm sharing a high-performance military operations video today and offering a brief Submarine Commander F/A-18 Analysis to illustrate the core principles of high-stakes, complex operational environments.

Operational Excellence: Two Sides of the Same Coin

While we may look different, the foundational leadership lessons that apply to an F/A-18 pilot are the same ones that apply in a nuclear control room (as explored in Nuclear Power Leadership Lessons):

• Precision and Procedure: Whether using steam catapults or flooding ballast tanks, success is measured in millimeters and seconds.

• Team Reliance: On a carrier, a launch requires every sailor on the flight deck to perform their task perfectly. Below the surface, the reliance on the team is even more absolute.

• Managing High Risk: The threat is visible on the carrier deck; the threat is implied and silent below the waves. The culture of risk management is universal.

If you want to see more military tech and operations analysis alongside my regular leadership strategies, please let me know.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is Tony Grayson?

Tony Grayson is President & General Manager of Northstar Enterprise + Defense, former Commanding Officer of USS Providence (SSN-719), and recipient of the Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Award. He served 21 years in the U.S. Navy submarine force with extensive joint operations experience.

What is a Submarine Commander F/A-18 Analysis?

A Submarine Commander F/A-18 Analysis provides a leadership perspective that compares the operational standards, risk management, and team reliance found in two contrasting high-stakes naval environments: the silent, stealth-focused submarine force and the fast, visible F/A-18 carrier air wing. Both environments demand the same standard of operational excellence despite their different operational philosophies.

What is the core difference between Submarine and Air Wing operations?

The core operational difference is stealth vs. speed. Submarine operations prioritize avoidance and silence for mission success—operating hundreds of feet below the surface to conduct surveillance, deterrence, and strike missions without detection. Naval Air Wing operations prioritize speed, maneuverability, and visible presence from the aircraft carrier. Both environments share universal leadership principles: precision and procedure, team reliance, and managing high risk.

What does the F/A-18 designation mean?

The F/A-18 designation stands for Fighter/Attack, meaning the aircraft is a multi-role combat jet capable of both air-to-air fighter missions and air-to-ground attack missions. This versatility makes it the backbone of the U.S. Navy's carrier air wings. The Super Hornet variant (F/A-18E single-seat and F/A-18F tandem-seat) is nicknamed "Rhino" in operational use to distinguish it from legacy Hornets during carrier deck operations.

What leadership lessons apply to both submarines and aircraft carriers?

Three universal leadership principles apply to both environments: Precision and Procedure (whether using steam catapults or flooding ballast tanks, success is measured in millimeters and seconds), Team Reliance (on a carrier, a launch requires every sailor on the flight deck to perform their task perfectly; below the surface, team reliance is even more absolute), and Managing High Risk (the threat is visible on the carrier deck; the threat is implied and silent below the waves, but the culture of risk management is universal).

Why are submarines stealthy?

Submarines prioritize stealth because their mission success depends on remaining undetected. Operating hundreds of feet below the surface, submarines master silence and avoidance to conduct surveillance, deterrence, and strike missions without revealing their position to adversaries. The entire culture is built around operational rigor and the relentless pursuit of the unseen—a stark contrast to the visible power projection of carrier operations. Learn more in What Daily Life on a Submarine Is Really Like.

How do aircraft carriers work?

Aircraft carriers serve as mobile airbases, using steam catapults or electromagnetic launch systems (EMALS) to launch fighter jets like the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The flight deck requires every sailor to perform their task perfectly—from catapult operators to arresting gear crews—to safely launch and recover aircraft in high-tempo combat operations. A single carrier can launch 12-20 aircraft per "event" in cycles lasting about 90 minutes.

How does a catapult launch work on an aircraft carrier?

Aircraft are taxied onto the catapult where the launch bar (attached to the nose landing gear) is placed into the catapult shuttle. A jet blast deflector panel rises behind the aircraft. Final checkers inspect the aircraft while ordnancemen arm loaded weapons. The catapult officer (shooter) ensures wind conditions and steam/electromagnetic settings will give sufficient flying speed, then signals the pilot for launch. The USS Gerald R. Ford uses EMALS, which can precisely dial in launch force for each aircraft type.

What is an arrested landing on an aircraft carrier?

An arrested landing (called a "trap") occurs when an aircraft catches one of four arresting cables on the flight deck with its tail hook, bringing the aircraft from flying speed to a complete stop in about two seconds across roughly 300 feet. Arresting gear engines apply varying resistance based on aircraft type and weight. It's essentially a controlled crash, even with advanced systems, the violence of carrier landings requires aircraft to be specially strengthened. See modern carrier air operations for details.

What is EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System)?

EMALS is the next-generation catapult system on USS Gerald R. Ford-class carriers, replacing steam catapults. Using electromagnetic technology similar to roller coasters, EMALS can precisely control launch force for each aircraft type, launching more gently than steam catapults. This reduces stress on airframes and opens possibilities for new aircraft designs. The companion system, Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), provides similarly controlled recoveries.

How fast is an F/A-18 Super Hornet?

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a supersonic twin-engine fighter capable of speeds exceeding Mach 1.8 (approximately 1,190 mph). It carries an internal 20mm M61A2 rotary cannon, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, and can be configured as an airborne tanker for organic refueling. The Super Hornet has a design service life of 6,000 flight hours and first flew in November 1995.

What is a carrier air wing?

A carrier air wing (CVW) is the aviation unit assigned to an aircraft carrier, typically consisting of multiple squadrons flying F/A-18 Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers (electronic warfare), E-2 Hawkeyes (airborne early warning), and helicopters. The air wing provides the carrier strike group with offensive and defensive capabilities including air superiority, strike warfare, electronic attack, and surveillance.

How do carrier cyclic operations work?

Cyclic operations refer to the launch and recovery cycle for aircraft in groups called "events." Cycles typically last about 90 minutes, with 12-20 aircraft per event. About 45 minutes before launch, crews man aircraft; 30 minutes out, engines start; 15 minutes out, aircraft taxi to catapults. The carrier turns into the wind to assist launches. Because aircraft launch in order based on deck positioning, they must rendezvous airborne—often at a tanker or overhead the carrier—before proceeding on mission.

____________________________________

Tony Grayson is a recognized Top 10 Data Center Influencer, a successful entrepreneur, and the President & General Manager of Northstar Enterprise + Defense.

A former U.S. Navy Submarine Commander and recipient of the prestigious VADM Stockdale Award, Tony is a leading authority on the convergence of nuclear energy, AI infrastructure, and national defense. His career is defined by building at scale: he led global infrastructure strategy as a Senior Vice President for AWS, Meta, and Oracle before founding and selling a top-10 modular data center company.

Today, he leads strategy and execution for critical defense programs and AI infrastructure, building AI factories and cloud regions that survive contact with reality.

Read more at: tonygraysonvet.com