The United States operates the world’s largest and most technologically advanced military aircraft fleet, encompassing fighters, bombers, transports, helicopters, tankers, and specialized platforms across the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Coast Guard. As of 2025, the U.S. military maintains over 13,000 active aircraft, with nearly 4,000 more on order.
✈️ U.S. Fighter and Attack Aircraft
These aircraft form the backbone of U.S. air superiority and precision strike capabilities:
- F-35 Lightning II – A fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter used by the Air Force (F-35A), Navy (F-35C), and Marine Corps (F-35B). Over 470 are active, with more than 1,800 on order.
- F-22 Raptor – A stealth air superiority fighter with advanced maneuverability; approximately 178 are in service.
- F-15 Eagle/Strike Eagle/EX – A versatile fighter with over 400 active units, including the modern F-15EX variant.
- F-16 Fighting Falcon – A multirole fighter with around 936 active units, widely used across various branches.
- F/A-18 Hornet & Super Hornet – Carrier-based multirole fighters used by the Navy and Marine Corps; over 500 are active.
- A-10C Thunderbolt II – A close air support aircraft with approximately 261 active units, planned for retirement by 2028.
- AV-8B Harrier II – A vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) ground-attack aircraft used by the Marine Corps; 87 are in service.
💣 U.S. Strategic Bombers
These long-range aircraft provide the U.S. with global strike capabilities:
- B-52H Stratofortress – A long-range strategic bomber with 76 active units, expected to serve until the 2050s.
- B-1B Lancer – A supersonic bomber with 45 active units, capable of carrying large payloads.
- B-2A Spirit – A stealth bomber with 19 active units, designed for penetrating dense anti-aircraft defenses.
- B-21 Raider – A next-generation stealth bomber with 3 units delivered and 97 more planned.
🚁 U.S. Helicopters and Tiltrotors
Helicopters provide mobility, attack, and support capabilities across all branches:
- UH-60 Black Hawk – A utility helicopter with approximately 2,912 active units, used for troop transport and medical evacuation.
- AH-64 Apache – An attack helicopter with around 824 active units, known for its role in various conflicts. en.wikipedia.org
- CH-47 Chinook – A heavy-lift helicopter with about 513 active units, used for transporting troops and equipment.
- MV-22 Osprey – A tiltrotor aircraft with 289 active units, combining the vertical takeoff capability of a helicopter with the speed of a fixed-wing aircraft.
- AH-1Z Viper – An attack helicopter with 159 active units, used by the Marine Corps.
- CH-53E/K Super/King Stallion – Heavy-lift helicopters with 140 CH-53E units and 9 CH-53K units active, with 191 CH-53K units on order.
🚛 U.S. Transport Aircraft
These aircraft handle strategic and tactical airlift missions:
- C-17 Globemaster III – A strategic transport aircraft with 222 active units, capable of rapid delivery of troops and cargo.
- C-130 Hercules – A versatile transport aircraft with 162 older variants and 353 C-130J models active across various branches.
- C-5M Super Galaxy – A heavy-lift transport aircraft with 52 active units, used for intercontinental cargo transport.
🛢️ U.S. Aerial Refueling Tankers
Tankers extend the range and endurance of combat and support aircraft:
- KC-135 Stratotanker – An aerial refueling aircraft with 388 active units, serving for over 60 years.
- KC-10 Extender – An advanced tanker and cargo aircraft designed to provide increased global mobility.
- KC-46A Pegasus – A modern aerial refueling aircraft with enhanced capabilities, currently being integrated into the fleet.
🛰️ U.S. Special Mission Aircraft
These platforms perform specialized roles such as surveillance, electronic warfare, and command and control:
- E-3 Sentry – An airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft providing surveillance and battle management.
- E-4B – The National Airborne Operations Center, serving as a command post for national emergencies.
- EA-18G Growler – An electronic warfare aircraft based on the F/A-18F, with approximately 165 in service.
- EP-3E ARIES II – A signals reconnaissance aircraft, being replaced by the MQ-4 Triton unmanned aerial vehicle.
🛩️ U.S. Training Aircraft
Training aircraft are essential for preparing pilots across all branches:
- T-6 Texan II – A turboprop trainer with 742 active units, widely used for pilot instruction.
- T-38 Talon – A supersonic jet trainer with 507 active units, used extensively for advanced pilot training.
- F-5F/N Tiger II – Used for adversary training, with 31 units in service.
🛬 U.S. VIP and Government Aircraft
These aircraft provide transportation for high-ranking officials:
- VC-25A (Air Force One) – A highly modified Boeing 747 used for presidential transport.
- C-20, C-32, C-40 – Aircraft used for transporting government officials and military leaders.
- VH-3D Sea King & VH-60N White Hawk – Helicopters used by the Marine Corps for presidential transport, known as Marine One.
📊 Summary of U.S. Military Aircraft Inventory (2025)
Category | Active Aircraft |
---|---|
Combat Aircraft | 2,757 |
Helicopters | 5,584 |
Training Aircraft | 2,634 |
Transport Aircraft | 962 |
Special Mission | 733 |
Tankers | 632 |
Total | 13,302 |
This comprehensive inventory underscores the United States’ commitment to maintaining a versatile and technologically advanced air fleet, capable of responding to a wide range of global missions and contingencies.
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