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    • The Ultimate Guide to US Air Force Aircraft
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    The Ultimate Guide to US Air Force Aircraft

    Vaseline Posted on

    24/7 Wall Street Insights

    • To identify every U.S. Air Force aircraft, 24/7 Wall St. examined FlightGlobal’s 2024 World Air Forces report.
    • Fifth-generation fighter jets are widely used by the United States Air Force.
    • The US has the largest and most powerful air force in the world.
    • Also: 2 Dividend Legends to Hold Forever

    When World War I broke out in 1914, aviation was just beginning. However, technological advances in aircraft would change the way war is fought. Throughout WWI and WWII, the U.S. continued to expand its air force. Today, the U.S. is known for having the largest and most powerful air force in the world. Read on for a comprehensive list of jet fighters, transport aircraft, special mission aircraft, and helicopters in the U.S. fleet.

    To identify each U.S. Air Force aircraft, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, a publication covering the aviation and aerospace industry. We ordered these aircraft based on how many are currently in active service. We also included additional data on the type and how many are currently on order. We excluded aircraft used solely for training.

    The U.S. Air Force uses several types of aircraft to maintain national security. Currently, fifth-generation fighter jets are widely used because they offer maneuverability, stealth, and advanced avionics. Only a handful of countries have access to these jets, as they greatly increase the strength of a country’s military. Notable examples of these jets include the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II, which are known for their air superiority and versatility. (These are the most commonly used stealth aircraft.)

    In addition to fighter jets, the U.S. Air Force uses a variety of aircraft for strategic and tactical lift operations. These aircraft transport troops, cargo, and equipment around the world. The C-130 Hercules, a staple of U.S. military operations, has served in these transport and tanker roles since the 1950s. (These are the oldest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force.)

    Why this is important

    The Ultimate Guide to US Air Force Aircraft

    A country’s defense impacts its economy. In March 2024, the Biden administration submitted a fiscal year 2025 budget request of $849.8 billion for the Department of Defense. A significant portion of these funds are earmarked for research and development of new military technologies, including aircraft in the U.S. Air Force. When a new F-35 Lightning II is created, its economic reach will impact nearly every U.S. state (through a vast network of suppliers, maintainers, trainers, etc.) and create jobs both directly and indirectly.

    Scroll down to see all the US Air Force aircraft:

    47,737 (E-7A) (AEW)

    • Type: Special mission
    • Active in the Air Force: 0
    • Aircraft ordered: 26

    46.AT-802U

    • Type: Fighter planes
    • Active in the Air Force: 0
    • Aircraft ordered: 75

    45.B-21

    The B-21 Raider was unveiled to the public during a ceremony on Dec. 2, 2022, in Palmdale, California. The B-21 is designed to operate in tomorrow's high-end threat environment and will play a critical role in ensuring America's continued air power capability. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

    • Type: Fighter planes
    • Active in the Air Force: 0
    • Aircraft ordered: 100

    44.DHC-6

    • Type: Transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 1
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    43. G550 (EC-37B) (SIGINT)

    • Type: Special mission
    • Active in the Air Force: 1
    • Aircraft ordered: 9

    42. Gulf Stream G550

    • Type: Transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 1
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    41. Gulf Stream IV (C-20H)

    • Type: Transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 1
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    40.Mi-171

    • Type: Combat helicopter
    • Active in the Air Force: 1
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    39.PA-31

    • Type: Transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 1
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    38.Cessna 208

    • Type: Transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 2
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    37. Beech 1900 (C-12J)

    • Type: Transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 3
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    36. C295 (L3Harris)

    • Type: Transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 3
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    35. 747 (E-4B) (Communications)

    • Type: Special mission
    • Active in the Air Force: 4
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    34. 757 (C-32B) (Reconnaissance)

    • Type: Special mission
    • Active in the Air Force: 4
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    33.AW139 (MH-139)

    • Type: Combat helicopter
    • Active in the Air Force: 4
    • Aircraft ordered: 78

    32. CN235 (Reconnaissance)

    • Type: Special mission
    • Active in the Air Force: 5
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    31. Global Express (E-11A) (Communications)

    • Type: Special mission
    • Active in the Air Force: 7
    • Aircraft ordered: 4

    30. Dash 8-100/200 (Reconnaissance)

    • Type: Special mission
    • Active in the Air Force: 10
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    29. EC-130 H/J

    • Type: Special mission
    • Active in the Air Force: 14
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    28.B-2

    • Type: Fighter planes
    • Active in the Air Force: 17
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    27. Learjet 35 (C-21A)

    • Type: Transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 19
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    26. DC-10 (KC-10)

    • Type: Tanker
    • Active in the Air Force: 20
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    25. Dornier 328 (C-146)

    • Type: Transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 20
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    24. RC-135S/U/V/W (ELINT)

    • Type: Special mission
    • Active in the Air Force: 22
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    23. King Air 200 (C-12)

    • Type: Transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 23
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    22,707 (E-8C/E-3B)

    • Type: Special mission, training aircraft
    • Active in the Air Force: 26
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    21. U-2S (Reconnaissance)

    • Type: Special mission
    • Active in the Air Force: 26
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    20. AC-130 J/W

    • Type: Fighter planes
    • Active in the Air Force: 32
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    19. PC-12 (U-28)

    • Type: Special mission, transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 35
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    18. King Air 350 (MC-12W) (Reconnaissance)

    • Type: Special mission
    • Active in the Air Force: 36
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    17. HC-130J (SAR)

    • Type: Special mission
    • Active in the Air Force: 40
    • Aircraft ordered: 6

    16.B-1B

    • Type: Fighter planes
    • Active in the Air Force: 42
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    15.C-5M

    • Type: Transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 52
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    14. CV-22

    • Type: Combat helicopter
    • Active in the Air Force: 52
    • Aircraft ordered: 2

    13. MC-130J

    • Type: Tanker
    • Active in the Air Force: 57
    • Aircraft ordered: 4

    12. UH-1N

    • Type: Combat helicopter
    • Active in the Air Force: 64
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    11,767 (KC-46A)

    • Type: Tanker
    • Active in the Air Force: 72
    • Aircraft ordered: 99

    10.B-52H

    • Type: Fighter planes
    • Active in the Air Force: 72
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    9. S-70/HH-60G/U/W/MH-60G

    • Type: Combat helicopter
    • Active in the Air Force: 96
    • Aircraft ordered: 91

    8.F-22

    • Type: Fighter planes
    • Active in the Air Force: 178
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    7.C-17

    • Type: Transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 228
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    6.A-10C

    • Type: Fighter planes
    • Active in the Air Force: 270
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    5. C-130 H/J

    • Type: Transport
    • Active in the Air Force: 330
    • Aircraft ordered: 26

    4. F-35A

    • Type: Fighter aircraft, training aircraft
    • Active in the Air Force: 363
    • Aircraft ordered: 1372

    3. KC-135R/T

    • Type: Tanker
    • Active in the Air Force: 377
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

    2. F-15 C/D/E/EX

    • Type: Fighter aircraft, training aircraft
    • Active in the Air Force: 395
    • Aircraft ordered: 102

    1. F-16 C/D

    • Type: Fighter aircraft, training aircraft
    • Active in the Air Force: 875
    • Aircraft ordered: 0

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