TheUnited States Armed Forces uses a wide variety ofmilitary aircraft across the respective aviation arms of its variousservice branches. The numbers of specific aircraft listed in the following entries are estimates from published sources and may not be exhaustive.
For aircraft no longer in service, see thelist of military aircraft of the United States.
Aircraft | Manufacturer | Origin | Propulsion | Role | Control | Introduced/IOC | Inventory | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A-10C Thunderbolt II | Fairchild Republic | USA | Jet | CAS /Attack | Manned | 2007 (A-10C)[1] | 261[2] | The Air Force is seeking to divest 56 A-10s in FY2025.[3] |
A-29C Super Tucano | Sierra Nevada Corporation[4] | Brazil | Propeller | Research and development | Manned | 2003 | 3[2] | Delivered toAir Force Special Operations Command in 2021. Transferred to theU.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in 2024.[4][5] |
AC-130J Ghostrider | Lockheed Martin | USA | Propeller | CAS /Attack | Manned | 2017 (AC-130J)[6] | 31[7] | Final aircraft delivered in 2022.[7] |
B-1B Lancer | Rockwell International | USA | Jet | Bomber | Manned | 1986[8] | 45[2][9] | Long-range conventional bomber. Employsvariable-sweep wing design. To be replaced by theB-21 Raider around 2032.[8] 9 to be divested in FY2027.[10] |
B-2A Spirit | Northrop Grumman | USA | Jet | Bomber | Manned | 1997[8] | 19[2] | Stealth long-range nuclear-capable heavy bomber. To be replaced by theB-21 Raider around 2032.[8] One aircraft to be divested inFY2025.[11] |
B-21 Raider | Northrop Grumman | USA | Jet | Bomber | Optionally piloted[12] | 3[2] | Stealth long-range nuclear-capable heavy bomber. The first B-21 test aircraft made its maiden flight in November 2023.[13] To replace theB-2 Spirit andB-1 Lancer around 2032.[12] | |
B-52H Stratofortress | Boeing | USA | Jet | Bomber | Manned | 1961 (B-52H)[12] | 76[14] | Currently undergoing re-engining. Expected to serve into the 2050s.[12] |
C-5M Super Galaxy | Lockheed | USA | Jet | Strategic airlifter | Manned | 2014 (C-5M)[15] | 52[2] | |
C-12C/D/F/J Huron | Beechcraft | USA | Propeller | Transport | Manned | c. 1974[15] | 29[2] | |
C-130H Hercules | Lockheed Martin | USA | Propeller | Tactical airlifter | Manned | c. 1974[16] | 126[2] | TheC-130J is replacing the C-130H on a one-for-one basis. The Air Force has Congressionally mandated floor of 271 C-130 aircraft. 6 to be divested in FY2025.[17] |
C-130J Super Hercules/J-30 Super Hercules | Lockheed Martin | USA | Propeller | Tactical airlifter | Manned | 2006[16] | 151[2] | |
C-146A Wolfhound[18] | Fairchild-Dornier | Germany | Propeller | Transport | Manned | c. 2011[6] | 20[19] | Delivered 2011–2017.[6] Flown with the524th Special Operations Squadron[20] |
C-147A | De Havilland Canada | Canada | Propeller | Transport | Manned[citation needed] | For theU.S. Army Parachute Team[21] | ||
C-17A Globemaster III | McDonnell Douglas/Boeing | USA | Jet | Strategic airlifter | Manned | 1995[22] | 222[2] | These were produced by McDonnell-Douglas prior to the merger with Boeing.[citation needed] |
C-21A Learjet 35 | Learjet | USA | Jet | VIP transport | Manned | 1984[22] | 19[2] | |
C-32A/B Air Force Two | Boeing | USA | Jet | VIP transport | Manned | 1998[23] | 4/2[2] | |
C-37A/B Gulfstream V | Gulfstream | USA | Jet | VIP transport | Manned | 1998[23] | 9/7[2] | VIP transport. 16 planned.[24] |
C-40B/C | Boeing | USA | Jet | VIP transport | Manned | 2003[23] | 4/7[2] | |
CN-235 | CASA | Spain | Propeller | Reconnaissance | Manned | 1988 | 5[19] | Flown with the427th Special Operations Squadron |
CV-22B Osprey | Bell, Boeing | USA | Tiltrotor | CSAR / transport | Manned | 2006[25] | 52[2] | 2 on order.[26] Two aging CV-22Bs will be divested in FY2025 and be replaced with new aircraft.[27] |
E-3B/G Sentry (AWACS) | Boeing | USA | Jet | AWACS | Manned | 1977; 2014 (Block 40/45)[28] | 15[2] | To be replaced by theE-7 Wedgetail[29] |
E-4B (NAOC) | Boeing | USA | Jet | Command and control | Manned | 1978 (E-4B)[30] | 4[2] | Assigned to the595th Command and Control Group. To be replaced by theSurvivable Airborne Operations Center.[31] |
E-9A Widget | De Havilland Canada | Canada | Propeller | Surveillance | Manned | 1988[30] | 2[2] | Military surveillance version of the DHC-8-100, used for missile range control.[citation needed] |
E-11A (BACN)[32] | Northrop Grumman | USA /Canada | Jet | Command and control /BACN | Manned | c. 2011[33] | 5[2] | 2 aircraft to be divested in FY2025.[34] Nine planned.[35] |
EA-37B Compass Call | Gulfstream | USA | Jet | Radar jamming /PSYOP | Manned | 2026[35] | 1[36] | 2 ordered[26] Replacement for EC-130H Compass Call.[36] 10 planned.[35] |
EC-130H Compass Call | Lockheed Martin | USA | Propeller | Radar jamming /PSYOP | Manned | 1983; Block 35, 2011[37] | 5[36] | To be replaced byEA-37B Compass Call in FY2025.[38][36] |
EC-130J & Super-J | Lockheed Martin | USA | Propeller | Radar jamming /PSYOP | Manned | 2004[25] | 5[2] | All Commando Solos retired. Super-Js to be replaced byMC-130s.[25] |
F-117 Nighthawk | Lockheed | USA | Jet | Aggressor aircraft/research and development | Manned | 1983[4] | 4[19] | Although officially retired in 2008, the aircraft has been involved in various exercises beginning around 2020.[4] The Air Force possesses 45 F-117s, some in flyable condition, As of 2023[update]. The Air Force plans to operate the type through 2034.[39] |
F-15C/D Eagle | McDonnell Douglas | USA | Jet | Air superiority | Manned | 1979 (F-15C/D)[40] | 108[2] | F-15C retired from active service in 2025.[41] 12D variants[2] are used for training. The Air Force is seeking to divest 65 F-15s in FY2025.[42] |
F-15E Strike Eagle | McDonnell Douglas/Boeing | USA | Jet | Multirole, primarilystrike | Manned | 1989[40] | 218[2] | The Air Force is seeking to divest 26 F-15Es with -220 engines in FY2025.[42] |
F-15EX Eagle II | Boeing | USA | Jet | Multirole, primarilystrike | Manned | 2024 (planned)[43] | 8[2][44] | F-15C/D Eagle replacement.[45] 104 planned.[46] |
F-16C/D Fighting Falcon | General Dynamics | USA | Jet | Multirole | Manned | 1981 (Block 25-32); 1989 (Block 40/42); 1994 (Block 50/52)[47] | 762[2] | The Air Force is seeking to divest 11 older F-16C/Ds in FY2025.[48] |
F-22A Raptor | Lockheed Martin | USA | Jet | Air superiority | Manned | 2005[49] | 183[2] | Stealth aircraft. To be succeeded by theF-47.[50] The Air Force is seeking to divest 32 Block 20 F-22s in FY2025.[51] |
F-35A Lightning II | Lockheed Martin | USA | Jet | Multirole | Manned | 2016[49] | 302[2] | 7 on order[26] 1,763 planned.[52] |
HC-130J Combat King II | Lockheed Martin | USA | Propeller | Search and rescue | Manned | 2013[53] | 39[2] | |
HH-60G/U Pave Hawk | Sikorsky | USA | Helicopter | CSAR | Manned | 1982[54] | 64[2] | To be replaced by theHH-60W Jolly Green II.The Air Force is seeking to divest 12 HH-60G in FY2025.[55] |
HH-60W Jolly Green II | Sikorsky | USA | Helicopter | CSAR | Manned | 2022[54] | 32[2] | To replace the HH-60G/U Pave Hawk. 85 planned.[56] |
KC-135R/T Stratotanker | Boeing | USA | Jet | Aerial refueling | Manned | 1957[15] | 376[2] | The Air Force is seeking to divest 16 KC-135R/T in FY2025.[57] |
KC-46A Pegasus | Boeing | USA | Jet | Aerial refueling | Manned | FY24 (planned)[58] | 77[59] | 179 planned.[35] |
LC-130H Hercules | Lockheed Martin | USA | Propeller | Cargo aircraft | Manned | c. 1984[60] | 10[61] | Assigned to109th Airlift Wing[citation needed] |
MC-12W Liberty | Beechcraft | USA | Propeller | Multi-mission/Special Operations | Manned | 2009[25] | 36[19] | USSOCOM andAir National Guard. To be replaced in USSOCOM byOA-1K Sky Warden[25] |
MC-130J Commando II | Lockheed Martin | USA | Propeller | Multi-mission/Special Operations | Manned | 2012[62] | 57[2] | 64 planned.[63] |
MH-139A Grey Wolf | AgustaWestland | Helicopter | Utility | Manned | 2023 (planned)[64] | 7[citation needed] | 6 test aircraft and 1 production aircraft have been delivered. 20 on order. 42 planned.[65] | |
MQ-1B Predator | General Atomics | USA | Propeller | Multi-mission | Unmanned[citation needed] | 1[2] | ||
MQ-9A Reaper | General Atomics | USA | Propeller | Multi-mission[66] | Unmanned | 2007, 2015 (ER)[67] | 102[2] | |
BQM-167 Skeeter | Composite Engineering | Jet | Target drone | Unmanned | 2008[67] | 37[67] | Subscale aerial target. 800+ planned.[68] | |
P-9A Pale Ale | Bombardier | Canada | Propeller | Maritime patrol | Manned | 4[2] | Government-owned contractor-operated fleet tasked with monitoring drug trafficking.[37] | |
QF-16A/C | Boeing | USA | Jet | Target drone[69] | Optionally piloted[69] | 2016[69] | 73[2] | Conversion of anF-16 Fighting Falcon to full-scale aerial target. Final deliveries will take place 2024–2025.[69] 126 planned.[70] |
RC-135S/U/V/W Cobra Ball/Combat Sent/Rivet Joint | Boeing | USA | Jet | Reconnaissance /ELINT /surveillance | Manned | 1972 | 25[2] | |
RQ-170 Sentinel | Lockheed Martin | USA | Jet | Multi-Mission | Unmanned | 2007[citation needed] | ||
RQ-20 Puma | AeroVironment | USA | Propeller | Patrol | Unmanned | 2008[citation needed] | ||
RQ-4B Global Hawk | Northrop Grumman | USA | Jet | ISTAR | Unmanned | 2011 (Block 30), 2016 (Block 40)[67] | 9[71] | |
Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft | DZYNE Technologies | USA | Propeller | Surveillance | Unmanned[citation needed] | c. 2024 | ||
T-1A Jayhawk | Raytheon | USA | Jet | Trainer | Manned | 1993[64] | 127[2] | Multi-engine trainer. The Air Force is seeking to divest 22 T-1s in FY2025.[72] |
T-38A/C/AT-38B Talon | Northrop | USA | Jet | Trainer | Manned | 1961[73] | 495[2] | To be replaced by theT-7A. The Air Force is seeking to divest 17 T-38A/Cs in FY2026.[74] |
T-41D Mescalero | Cessna | USA | Propeller | Basic trainer | Manned | 1964 | 4[2] | |
T-51A Cessna | Cessna | USA | Propeller | Basic trainer | Manned | 1957 | 3[2] | |
T-53A Kadet II | Cirrus | USA | Propeller | Basic trainer | Manned | 1995 | 24[2] | USAFA flight training aircraft |
T-6A Texan II | Raytheon/Beechcraft | USA | Propeller | Trainer | Manned | 2000[75] | 442[2] | |
T-7 Red Hawk | Boeing /Saab | USA | Jet | Trainer | Manned | 2028 (planned)[75] | 2[76] | Replacement for theT-38 Talon. The first five test aircraft will be production representative. 351 planned.[77] |
TC-135S/W | Boeing | USA | Jet | Trainer | Manned | 1961 | 3[2] | |
TG-15A | Glider | Trainer | Manned | 2[2] | ||||
TG-15B | Glider | Trainer | Manned | 3[2] | ||||
TG-16A | Glider | Trainer | Manned | 19[2] | ||||
TG-17A | Glider | Trainer | Manned | 1[2] | MDM MDM-1 Fox donated to the94th Flying Training Squadron.[78] | |||
TH-1H Iroquois | Bell | USA | Helicopter | Trainer | Manned | c. 2009[64] | 28[2] | Light lift training helicopter[64] To be replaced by theMH-139A.[79] |
TU-2S Dragon Lady | Lockheed | USA | Jet | Conversion trainer | Manned | 4[2] | The Air Force is seeking to divest all U-2s and TU-2s in FY2026.[80] | |
U-2S Dragon Lady | Lockheed | USA | Jet | Reconnaissance | Manned | c. 1981 (U-2R)[81] | 27[80] | The Air Force plans to divest all U-2s and TU-2s in FY2026.[80] |
U-28A Draco/PC-12 | Pilatus | Switzerland | Propeller | Utility | Manned | 1991 | 30 U-28A/5 PC-12[28] | PC-12 used for training. Used bySOCOM forreconnaissance. To be replaced in SOCOM by theOA-1K Sky Warden.[82] |
UH-1N Twin Huey/UH-1N Operational Support Airlift | Bell | USA | Helicopter | Utility | Manned | 1970[64] | 63[2] | Light lift helicopter. To be replaced by theMH-139 Grey Wolf.[64] The Air Force is seeking to divest 5 UH-1N and UH-1N OSA in FY2026.[83] |
UV-18B Twin Otter | De Havilland Canada | Canada | Propeller | Utility | Manned | 1988 | 3[2] | USAFA parachute training aircraft |
VC-25A Air Force One | Boeing | USA | Jet | VIP transport | Manned | 1990[60] | 2[2] | Presidential Transport, operated by89th Airlift Wing[84] To be replaced by theVC-25B. The Air Force is seeking to divest the VC-25A in FY2028.[85] |
WC-130J Hercules | Lockheed Martin | USA | Propeller | Weather reconnaissance | Manned | 2006[81] | 10[2] | Assigned to403d Wing |
WC-135R Constant Phoenix | Boeing | USA | Jet | Atmospheric research | Manned | 2022 (WC-135R)[53] | 3[2] | |
X-62 VISTA | General Dynamics | USA | Jet | In-flight simulator[73] | Optionally piloted[86] | 1992[73] | 1[73] | A highly modified version of theF-16D incorporatingartificial intelligence used by the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School[73] |
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Type | Manufacturer | Origin | Propulsion | Role | Control | Introduced | Inventory | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HC-27J Spartan | Alenia Aeronautica | USA Italy | Propeller | Search and rescue | Manned | 2006[citation needed] | 14[citation needed] | Former Air Force aircraft, acquired in return for the release of seven HC-130H aircraft to the United States Forest Service for use as aerial tankers.[citation needed] |
C-37A | Gulfstream | USA | Jet | VIP transport | Manned | 1997[citation needed] | 1[citation needed] | VIP transport for high-ranking members of theDepartment of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard.[citation needed] |
C-37B | Gulfstream | USA | Jet | VIP transport | Manned | 1997[citation needed] | 1[citation needed] | VIP transport for high-ranking members of theDepartment of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard.[citation needed] |
HC-130H Hercules | Lockheed Martin | USA | Propeller | Search and rescue | Manned | 1959[citation needed] | 14[citation needed] | Most have been removed from service and are being replaced by HC-130J aircraft. Seven were turned over to the United States Forest Service to be converted to aerial firefighting tankers.[citation needed] |
HC-130J Hercules | Lockheed Martin | USA | Propeller | Search and rescue | Manned | 1959[citation needed] | 12[citation needed] | More on order, currently[when?] being manufactured to replace HC-130H.[citation needed] |
HC-144A Ocean Sentry | Airbus | USA Spain | Propeller | Search and rescue | Manned | 2009[citation needed] | 15[citation needed] | |
HC-144B Minotaur | Airbus | USA Spain | Propeller | Search and rescue | Manned | 2009[citation needed] | 3 | Minotaur upgrade of HC-144A aircraft includes advanced navigation and search and rescue equipment.[citation needed] |
MH-60T Jayhawk | Sikorsky | USA | Helicopter | Medium Range Recovery (MRR) | Manned | 1990[citation needed] | 42[citation needed] | Will remain in service until 2040s[citation needed] |
MH-65D Dolphin | Eurocopter | USA France | Helicopter | Short Range Recovery (SRR) | Manned | 1985[citation needed] | 95[citation needed] | |
MH-65E Dolphin | Eurocopter | USA France | Helicopter | Short Range Recovery (SRR) | Manned | 1985[citation needed] | 3[citation needed] | Upgraded version of MH-65D with advanced avionics and search and rescue equipment[citation needed] |
Type | Manufacturer | Origin | Propulsion | Role | Control | Introduced | In service | Total | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C-20G | Gulfstream | USA | Jet | Cargo/Transport aircraft | Manned | 1985[citation needed] | 1[19] | Will be upgraded to C-20 ER[citation needed] | |
C-40A Clipper | Boeing | USA | Jet | Cargo/Transport aircraft | Manned[citation needed] | 2023[95] | 2[96] | 2 | |
F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornet | McDonnell Douglas | USA | Jet | Carrier-basedFighter | Manned | 1985[citation needed] | 186[26] | Scheduled to be replaced byF-35B/C Lightning II[citation needed] | |
F-35B/C Lightning II | Lockheed Martin | USA | Jet | Carrier-basedFighter | Manned | 2015[citation needed] | 145[26] | F-35Ccarrier variant andF-35BV/STOL variants. Planned total of 280 F-35Bs and 140F-35Cs (CTOL) to replace various aircraft.[97] | |
F-5F/N Tiger II | Northrop | USA | Jet | Aggressor | Manned | 1959[citation needed] | 12[19] | Scheduled to maintain service till 2026. | |
KC-130J Super Hercules | Lockheed Martin | USA | Propeller | Aerial refueling | Manned | 1962[citation needed] | 69[19] | ||
UC-12W Huron | Beechcraft | USA | Propeller | Utility | Manned | 1974[citation needed] | 8[citation needed] | 8[citation needed] | Planned to replace theUC-12F/M Huron andUC-35D[98] |
UC-12M Huron | Beechcraft | USA | Propeller | Utility | Manned | 1974[citation needed] | 2[citation needed] | 2[citation needed] | Planned to be replaced byUC-12W Huron by 2026[98] |
UC-12F Huron | Beechcraft | USA | Propeller | Utility | Manned | 1974[citation needed] | 4[citation needed] | 4[citation needed] | Planned to be replaced byUC-12W Huron by 2032[98] |
UC-35D Citation | Cessna | USA | Jet | Utility | Manned[citation needed] | 2001[99] | 10[99] | 10[citation needed] | Planned to be replaced byUC-12W Huron by 2030[98] |
AH-1Z Viper | Bell | USA | Helicopter | Attack | Manned | 2010[citation needed] | 176[19] | The Marine Corps plans to divest 10 AH-1Z in FY2025.[100] | |
CH-53E Super Stallion | Sikorsky | USA | Helicopter | Cargo/Transport | Manned | 1981[citation needed] | 96 Active, 6 Reserve, 10 Training | 135[19] | To be replaced byCH-53K King Stallion[101] |
CH-53K King Stallion | Sikorsky | USA | Helicopter | Cargo/Transport | Manned | 2022[citation needed] | 9[citation needed] | 11[19] | 191 planned in total[citation needed] |
UH-1Y Venom | Bell | USA | Helicopter | Utility | Manned | 2008[citation needed] | 122[citation needed] | 127[19] | |
VH-3D Sea King | Sikorsky | USA | Helicopter | Marine One VIP Transport | Manned | 1961[citation needed] | 11[citation needed] | To be replaced bySikorsky VH-92A. 2 to be divested in FY2025.[102] | |
VH-60N Whitehawk | Sikorsky | USA | Helicopter | Marine One VIP Transport | Manned | 1979[citation needed] | 8[citation needed] | To be replaced bySikorsky VH-92A | |
VH-92 Patriot | Sikorsky Aircraft | USA | Helicopter | Marine One VIP Transport[103] | Manned | 2024[citation needed] | 23[citation needed] | ||
AV-8B/+ Harrier II | McDonnell Douglas | US / UK | Jet | Attack/Trainer | Manned | 1985[citation needed] | 87, 12 TAV-8B[26] | VTOL. To be replaced byF-35B[104][dead link] The Marine Corps plans to divest 4 AV-8Bs in FY2025.[100] | |
MV-22B Osprey | Bell Boeing | USA | Tiltrotor | Multi-mission | Manned | 2007[citation needed] | 236[citation needed] | 288[19] | VTOL. 13 on order.[19] |
K-MAX | Kaman | USA | Helicopter | Cargo and transport | Unmanned | 1991[citation needed] | 1[citation needed] | Helicopter with twin intermeshing rotors. UAV variant of manned type.[citation needed] | |
MQ-27 | Boeing | USA | Propeller | Reconnaissance | Unmanned | 2005[citation needed] | |||
RQ-20 Puma | AeroVironment | USA | Propeller | Reconnaissance | Unmanned | 2008[citation needed] | |||
RQ-21A Blackjack | Boeing Insitu | USA | Propeller | Reconnaissance | Unmanned | 2014[citation needed] | |||
MQ-8B Fire Scout | Northrop Grumman | USA | Helicopter | Multi-Mission | Unmanned | 2009[citation needed] | 27[105] | ||
Black Hornet Nano | Teledyne FLIR | Norway | Helicopter | Unmanned | 2015[citation needed] | ||||
MQ-9 Reaper | General Atomics | USA | Propeller | Reconnaissance | Unmanned | 2023[citation needed] | 8[citation needed] | Scheduled to be delivered in 2023.[106] | |
R80D SkyRaider | Teledyne FLIR | USA | Propeller | Reconnaissance | Unmanned[citation needed] | Quadcopter. Part replaces theRQ-7B Shadow.[107] | |||
X2D | Skydio | USA | Propeller | Reconnaissance | Unmanned[citation needed] | Quadcopter. Part replaces theRQ-7B Shadow.[107] | |||
T-34C Turbo Mentor | USA | Propeller | Trainer | Manned[citation needed] | 2[19] |
Type | Manufacturer | Origin | Propulsion | Role | Control | Introduced | In service | Total | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
X-37B | Boeing | USA | Rocket | Spaceplane | Unmanned | 2010 (first space flight) | 2[116] | Seven launches since program began.[117] |
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