List of active United States Air Force aircraft

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For a list of current aircraft in all branches of the United States Military, see List of active United States military aircraft.
Emblem of the USAF

The following is a list of currently active military aircraft in the United States Air Force.

Aircraft[edit]

Current inventory[edit]

See also: United States Air Force § Aircraft inventory
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] 270[2]
A-29C Super Tucano Sierra Nevada Corporation[3] Brazil Jet CAS / Attack Manned 3[2] Operated by Air Force Special Operations Command. Delivered in 2021. Planned to divest.[3]
AC-130J Ghostrider Lockheed USA Propeller CAS / Attack Manned 2017 (AC-130J)[4] 31[5] Final aircraft delivered in 2022.[5]
B-1B Lancer Rockwell International USA Jet Bomber Manned 1986[6] 42[2] Long-range conventional bomber. Employs variable-sweep wing design. To be replaced by the B-21 Raider around 2032.[6]
B-2A Spirit Northrop Grumman USA Jet Bomber Manned 1997[6] 17[2] Stealth long-range nuclear-capable heavy bomber. To be replaced by the B-21 Raider around 2032.[6]
B-21 Raider Northrop Grumman USA Jet Bomber Manned 1[7] Stealth long-range nuclear-capable heavy bomber. The first B-21 test aircraft made its maiden flight in November 2023.[8] To replace the B-2 Spirit and B-1 Lancer around 2032.[7]
B-52H Stratofortress Boeing USA Jet Bomber Manned 1961 (B-52H)[7] 76[9] Currently undergoing re-engining. Expected to serve into the 2050s.[7]
C-5M Super Galaxy Lockheed USA Jet Strategic airlifter Manned 2014 (C-5M)[10] 52[2]
C-12C/D/H/J Huron Beechcraft USA Propeller Transport Manned c. 1974[10] 23[2] 32 aircraft are used for reconnaissance
C-130H Hercules Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Tactical airlifter Manned c. 1974[11] 158[2]
C-130J Super Hercules/J-30 Super Hercules Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Tactical airlifter Manned 2006[11] 172[2]
C-146A Wolfhound[12] Fairchild-Dornier Germany Propeller Transport Manned c. 2011[4] 20[2] Delivered 2011–2017.[4] Flown with the 524th Special Operations Squadron[13]
C-147A De Havilland Canada Canada Propeller Transport Manned For the U.S. Army Parachute Team[14]
C-17A Globemaster III McDonnell Douglas/Boeing USA Jet Strategic airlifter Manned 1995[15] 228[2] Were produced by McDonnell-Douglas prior to the merger with Boeing.
C-20H Gulfstream USA Jet Manned 1[16]
C-21A Learjet 35 Learjet USA Jet VIP transport Manned 1984[15] 19[2]
C-32A/B Air Force Two Boeing USA Jet VIP transport Manned 1998[17] 4/2[16]
C-37A/B Gulfstream V Gulfstream USA Jet VIP transport Manned 1998[17] 16[16]
C-40B/C Boeing USA Jet VIP transport Manned 2003[17] 11[16]
CN-235 CASA Spain Propeller Reconnaissance Manned 1988 5[2] Flown with the 427th Special Operations Squadron
CV-22B Osprey Bell, Boeing USA Tiltrotor CSAR / transport Manned 2006[18] 52[2] 2 on order[19]
E-3B/C/G Sentry (AWACS) Boeing USA Jet AWACS Manned 1977; 2014 (Block 40/45)[20] 21[2]
E-4B (NAOC) Boeing USA Jet Command and control Manned 1978 (E-4B)[21] 4[2] Assigned to the 595th Command and Control Group
E-8C Joint STARS Northrop Grumman USA Jet Command and control Manned 1997[21] 12[16] E-8C, 1 TE-8A
E-9A Widget De Havilland Canada Canada Propeller Surveillance Manned 1988[21] 2[16] Military surveillance version of the DHC-8-100, used for missile range control
E-11A (BACN)[22] Northrop Grumman USA / Canada Jet Command and control / BACN Manned c. 2011[23] 11[2] 1 ordered[19]
EA-37B Compass Call Gulfstream USA Jet Radar jamming / PSYOP Manned 2026[23] 1[24] 2 ordered[19] Replacement for EC-130H Compass Call.[24]
EC-130H Compass Call Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Radar jamming / PSYOP Manned 1983; Block 35, 2011[25] 5[24] To be replaced by EA-37B Compass Call.[24]
EC-130J Super-J Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Radar jamming / PSYOP Manned 2004[18] 7[2] All Commando Solos retired. Super-J's to be replaced by MC-130s.[18]
F-117 Nighthawk Lockheed USA Jet Aggressor aircraft/research and development Manned 1983[3] 4[2]
F-15C/D Eagle McDonnell Douglas USA Jet Air superiority Manned 1979 (F-15C/D)[26] 149[27] 18 D variants[2] are used for training. To be retired by 2030.
F-15E Strike Eagle McDonnell Douglas/Boeing USA Jet Multirole, primarily strike Manned 1989[26] 218[28]
F-15EX Eagle II McDonnell Douglas/Boeing USA Jet Multirole, primarily strike Manned 2024 (planned)[29] 4[30] F-15C/D Eagle replacement.[31]
F-16C/D Fighting Falcon General Dynamics USA Jet Multirole Manned 1981 (Block 25-32); 1989 (Block 40/42); 1994 (Block 50/52)[32] 875[2]
F-22A Raptor Lockheed Martin USA Jet Air superiority Manned 2005[33] 195 Stealth capable aircraft. To be replaced by NGAD
F-35A Lightning II Lockheed Martin USA Jet Multirole Manned 2016[33] 363[2] 7 on order[19]
HC-130J Combat King II Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Search and rescue Manned 2013[34] 40[2]
HH-60G/U Pave Hawk Sikorsky USA Helicopter CSAR Manned 1982[35] 77[16] To be replaced by the HH-60W Jolly Green II
HH-60W Jolly Green II Sikorsky USA Helicopter CSAR Manned 2022[35] 24[16] To replace the HH-60G/U Pave Hawk. 85 planned.[35]
KC-10A Extender McDonnell Douglas USA Jet Aerial refueling Manned 1982[36] 20[2] Last combat mission flown in 2023. Retirement scheduled for 2024.[37]
KC-135R/T Stratotanker Boeing USA Jet Aerial refueling Manned 1957[10] 377[2]
KC-46A Pegasus Boeing USA Jet Aerial refueling Manned FY24 (planned)[36] 72[2] 48 on order[19]
LC-130H Hercules Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Cargo aircraft Manned c. 1984[38] 10[39] Assigned to 109th Airlift Wing
MC-12W Liberty Beechcraft USA Propeller Multi-mission/Special Operations Manned 2009[18] 36[2] To be replaced by AT-802U Sky Warden[25]
MC-130J Commando II Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Multi-mission/Special Operations Manned 2012[40] 57[2]
MH-139A Grey Wolf AgustaWestland Utility helicopter Manned 2023 (planned)[41] 4[2] 13 on order
MQ-9A Reaper General Atomics USA Propeller Multi-mission[42] Unmanned 2007, 2015 (ER)[43] 338[16]
BQM-167 Skeeter Composite Engineering Jet Target drone Unmanned 2008[43] 37[43] Subscale aerial target[43]
P-9A Pale Ale Bombardier Canada Propeller Manned Maritime patrol 3[16] Government-owned contractor-operated fleet tasked with monitoring drug trafficking.[25]
QF-16A/C Boeing USA Jet Target drone[44] Manned/Unmanned[44] 2016[44] 74[16] Conversion of an F-16 Fighting Falcon to full-scale aerial target. Final deliveries will take place 2024–2025.[44]
RC-135S/U/V/W Cobra Ball/Combat Sent/Rivet Joint Boeing USA Jet Reconnaissance / ELINT / surveillance Manned 1972 22[2]
RQ-170 Sentinel Lockheed Martin USA Jet Multi-Mission Unmanned 2007[citation needed]
RQ-20 Puma AeroVironment USA Propeller Patrol Unmanned 2008
RQ-4B Global Hawk Northrop Grumman USA Jet ISTAR Unmanned 2011 (Block 30), 2016 (Block 40)[43] 9[45]
T-1A Jayhawk Raytheon USA Jet Trainer Manned 1993[41] 131[2] Multi-engine trainer
T-38A/C/AT-38B Talon Northrop USA Jet Trainer Manned 1961[46] 497[2]
T-41D Mescalero Cessna USA Propeller Basic trainer Manned 1964 4[16]
T-51A Cessna Cessna USA Propeller Basic trainer Manned 1957 3[16]
T-53A Kadet II Cirrus USA Propeller Basic trainer Manned 1995 25[2] USAFA flight training aircraft
T-6A Texan II Raytheon/Beechcraft USA Propeller Trainer Manned 2000[47] 444[2]
T-7 Red Hawk Boeing / Saab USA Jet Trainer Manned 2026 (planned)[47] 1[2] Replacement for the T-38 Talon. 4 on order.[19]
TC-135S/W Boeing USA Jet Trainer Manned 1961 3[2]
TE-8A Joint STARS Northrop Grumman USA Jet Trainer Manned 1991 1[2]
TH-1H Iroquois Bell USA Helicopter Trainer Manned c. 2009[41] 39[2] Light lift training helicopter[41]
TU-2S Dragon Lady Lockheed USA Jet Conversion trainer Manned 4[2]
U-2S Dragon Lady Lockheed USA Jet Reconnaissance Manned c. 1981 (U-2R)[48] 26[2]
U-28A Draco Pilatus Switzerland Propeller Utility Manned 1991 12[2] Used for reconnaissance. To be replaced in SOCOM by the OA-1K Sky Warden.[49]
UH-1N Twin Huey Bell USA Helicopter Utility Manned 1970[41] 64[2] Light lift helicopter. To be replaced by the MH-139 Grey Wolf.[41]
UV-18B Twin Otter De Havilland Canada Canada Propeller Utility Manned 1988 1[2] USAFA parachute training aircraft
VC-25A Air Force One Boeing USA Jet VIP transport Manned 1990[38] 2[16] Presidential Transport, operated by 89th Airlift Wing[50]
WC-130J Hercules Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Weather reconnaissance Manned 2006[48] 10[16] Assigned to 403d Wing
WC-135R Constant Phoenix Boeing USA Jet Atmospheric research Manned 2022 (WC-135R)[34] 3[16]
X-62 VISTA General Dynamics USA Jet In-flight simulator[46] Manned 1992[46] 1[46] A highly modified version of the F-16D used by the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School[46]

Images[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Church 2023, p. 122.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap Flight Global 2023, p. 33.
  3. ^ a b c Church 2023, p. 126.
  4. ^ a b c Church 2023, p. 127.
  5. ^ a b Premo, Capt. Alicia (3 November 2022). "AFSOC receives final AC-130J". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Church 2023, p. 119.
  7. ^ a b c d Church 2023, p. 120.
  8. ^ Gordon, Chris (10 November 2023). "New B-21 Bomber Takes First Flight". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Air & Space Forces Association. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  9. ^ Losey, Stephen (12 February 2024). "The new B-52: How the Air Force is prepping to fly century-old bombers". Defense News. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Church 2023, p. 138.
  11. ^ a b Church 2023, p. 142.
  12. ^ C-146A Wolfhound Archived 16 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine af.mil
  13. ^ "524th Special Operations Squadron | 524th SOS". Airforce.americanspecialops.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
  14. ^ "The Golden Knights". recruiting.army.mil. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  15. ^ a b Church 2023, p. 140.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "2023 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  17. ^ a b c Church 2023, p. 141.
  18. ^ a b c d Church 2023, p. 128.
  19. ^ a b c d e f Flight Global 2023, p. 33-34.
  20. ^ Church 2023, p. 130.
  21. ^ a b c Church 2023, p. 131.
  22. ^ Tamir Eshel (2011-09-21). "U.S. Air Force Extends BACN Com-Relay Biz Jets Operations in Kandahar". defense-update.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  23. ^ a b Church 2023, p. 132.
  24. ^ a b c d Mabeus-Brown, Courtney (22 March 2024). "Air Force to add 5 new Compass Call electronic-attack planes in 2025". Air Force Times. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  25. ^ a b c Church 2023, p. 133.
  26. ^ a b Church 2023, p. 123.
  27. ^ "Defense bill would let Air Force retire A-10s, F-15s — but not F-22s". defensenews.com. 7 December 2023.
  28. ^ By Brian W. Everstine (2021-05-23). "F-35 Is Now the Air Force's Second-Largest Fighter Fleet". Air Force Magazine. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  29. ^ Tirpak, John (4 October 2023). "New Acquisition Report: F-15EX Unit Cost Will Be $94 Million". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  30. ^ Tirpak, John (2 January 2024). "New F-15EX Fighters—Nos. 3 and 4—Arrive at Eglin for Testing". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  31. ^ Tirpak, John (4 October 2023). "New Acquisition Report: F-15EX Unit Cost Will Be $94 Million". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  32. ^ Church 2023, p. 124.
  33. ^ a b Church 2023, p. 125.
  34. ^ a b Church 2023, p. 136.
  35. ^ a b c Church 2023, p. 144.
  36. ^ a b Church 2023, p. 137.
  37. ^ Cohen, Rachel (6 October 2023). "KC-10 tanker flies last combat mission as retirement looms". Air Force Times. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  38. ^ a b Church 2023, p. 143.
  39. ^ Finnerty2024-03-22T21:30:00+00:00, Ryan. "US lawmakers call for recapitalisation of LC-130 Arctic transport fleet". Flight Global. Retrieved 2 April 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  40. ^ Church 2023, p. 129.
  41. ^ a b c d e f Church 2023, p. 145.
  42. ^ "MQ-9 Reaper". af.mil. Archived from the original on 8 June 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  43. ^ a b c d e Church 2023, p. 148.
  44. ^ a b c d Church 2023, p. 149.
  45. ^ Losey, Stephen (29 February 2024). "Northrop Grumman modifying Global Hawk drones for hypersonic tests". Defense News. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  46. ^ a b c d e Church 2023, p. 147.
  47. ^ a b Church 2023, p. 146.
  48. ^ a b Church 2023, p. 135.
  49. ^ Hadley, Greg (19 March 2024). "SOCOM Cuts Armed Overwatch Buy from 75 to 62 Aircraft". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  50. ^ Shalal, Andrea (29 January 2016). "Boeing wins contract to build new Air Force One presidential jets". Reuters. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.

Bibliography[edit]

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