The Ultimate Guide to US Air Force Aircraft

VaselineAugust 23, 2024

0 5 minutes read

The Ultimate Guide to US Air Force Aircraft

24/7 Wall St. Perspectives

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

When World War I broke out in 1914, aviation was just getting started. However, technological advances in aircraft would change the way war is fought. Throughout World War I and World War II, the US continued to advance its air power. Today, the US is known to have the largest and most powerful air force in the world. Read on for a comprehensive list of fighter jets, transport aircraft, special mission aircraft and helicopters in the US fleet.

To identify every aircraft in the US Air Force, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the World Air Forces 2024 report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We have ordered these aircraft based on how many are currently in active service. I have also included additional data on the type and how many are currently on order. We have not included aircraft used exclusively for training.

The US Air Force uses many different types of aircraft to maintain national security. Currently, fifth generation fighter jets are very well established as they offer agility, stealth and advanced avionics. Only a few nations have access to these aircraft as they add significantly to the strength of a nation’s military. Notable examples of these fighter jets include the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, known for their air superiority capabilities and versatility. (These planes are the most widely used.)

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

Why this matters

The Ultimate Guide to US Air Force Aircraft

A nation’s defense affects the nation’s 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 is earmarked for research and development of new military technology, including US Air Force aircraft. When a new F-35 Lightning II is created, its economic reach affects almost every US state (through a large network of suppliers, administrators, trainers, etc.) and creates jobs both directly and indirectly.

Scroll down to see every aircraft in the US Air Force:

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

Type: Special mission
Active in the Air Force: 0
Aircraft on order: 26

46. AT-802U

Type: Fighter planes
Active in the Air Force: 0
Aircraft on order: 75

45. B-21

The B-21 Raider was unveiled to the public at a ceremony on December 2, 2022 in Palmdale, California. Designed to operate in tomorrow's advanced threat environment, the B-21 will play a critical role in ensuring America's sustainable airpower capability. (US Air Force photo)

Type: Fighter planes
Active in the Air Force: 0
Aircraft on order: 100

44. DHC-6

Type: Transport
Active in the Air Force: 1
Aircraft on order: 0

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

Type: Special mission
Active in the Air Force: 1
Aircraft on order: 9

42. Gulfstream G550

Type: Transport
Active in the Air Force: 1
Aircraft on order: 0

41. Gulfstream IV (C-20H)

Type: Transport
Active in the Air Force: 1
Aircraft on order: 0

40. Mi-171

Type: Combat helicopter
Active in the Air Force: 1
Aircraft on order: 0

39. PA-31

Type: Transport
Active in the Air Force: 1
Aircraft on order: 0

38. Cessna 208

Type: Transport
Active in the Air Force: 2
Aircraft on order: 0

37. Beech 1900 (C-12J)

Type: Transport
Active in the Air Force: 3
Aircraft on order: 0

36. C295 (L3Harris)

Type: Transport
Active in the Air Force: 3
Aircraft on order: 0

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

Type: Special mission
Active in the Air Force: 4
Aircraft on order: 0

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

Type: Special mission
Active in the Air Force: 4
Aircraft on order: 0

33. AW139 (MH-139)

Type: Combat helicopter
Active in the Air Force: 4
Aircraft on order: 78

32. CN235 (Recovery)

Type: Special mission
Active in the Air Force: 5
Aircraft on order: 0

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

Type: Special mission
Active in the Air Force: 7
Aircraft on order: 4

30. Dash 8-100/200 (Recovery)

Type: Special mission
Active in the Air Force: 10
Aircraft on order: 0

29. EC-130 H/J

Type: Special mission
Active in the Air Force: 14
Aircraft on order: 0

28. B-2

Type: Fighter planes
Active in the Air Force: 17
Aircraft on order: 0

27. Learjet 35 (C-21A)

Type: Transport
Active in the Air Force: 19
Aircraft on order: 0

26. DC-10 (KC-10)

Type: Tank
Active in the Air Force: 20
Aircraft on order: 0

25. Dornier 328 (C-146)

Type: Transport
Active in the Air Force: 20
Aircraft on order: 0

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

Type: Special mission
Active in the Air Force: 22
Aircraft on order: 0

23. King Air 200 (C-12)

Type: Transport
Active in the Air Force: 23
Aircraft on order: 0

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

Type: Special mission, training aircraft
Active in the Air Force: 26
Aircraft on order: 0

21. U-2S (Recovery)

Type: Special mission
Active in the Air Force: 26
Aircraft on order: 0

20. AC-130 J/W

Type: Fighter planes
Active in the Air Force: 32
Aircraft on order: 0

19. PC-12 (U-28)

Type: Special mission, transport
Active in the Air Force: 35
Aircraft on order: 0

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

Type: Special mission
Active in the Air Force: 36
Aircraft on order: 0

17. HC-130J (SAR)

Type: Special mission
Active in the Air Force: 40
Aircraft on order: 6

16. B-1B

Type: Fighter planes
Active in the Air Force: 42
Aircraft on order: 0

15. C-5M

Type: Transport
Active in the Air Force: 52
Aircraft on order: 0

14. CV-22

Type: Combat helicopter
Active in the Air Force: 52
Aircraft on order: 2

13. MC-130J

Type: Tank
Active in the Air Force: 57
Aircraft on order: 4

12. UH-1N

Type: Combat helicopter
Active in the Air Force: 64
Aircraft on order: 0

11. 767 (KC-46A)

Type: Tank
Active in the Air Force: 72
Aircraft on order: 99

10. B-52H

Type: Fighter planes
Active in the Air Force: 72
Aircraft on order: 0

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

Type: Combat helicopter
Active in the Air Force: 96
Aircraft on order: 91

8. F-22

Type: Fighter planes
Active in the Air Force: 178
Aircraft on order: 0

7. C-17

Type: Transport
Active in the Air Force: 228
Aircraft on order: 0

6. A-10C

Type: Fighter planes
Active in the Air Force: 270
Aircraft on order: 0

5. C-130 H/J

Type: Transport
Active in the Air Force: 330
Aircraft on order: 26

4. F-35A

Type: Fighter planes, training planes
Active in the Air Force: 363
Aircraft on order: 1372

3. KC-135R/T

Type: Tank
Active in the Air Force: 377
Aircraft on order: 0

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

Type: Fighter planes, training planes
Active in the Air Force: 395
Aircraft on order: 102

1. F-16 C/D

Type: Fighter planes, training planes
Active in the Air Force: 875
Aircraft on order: 0

ALERT: Take This Retirement Quiz Now (Sponsored)

Take the quiz below to be matched with a financial advisor today.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interest.

Here’s how it works:

1. Take the SmartAsset Advisor Match Quiz

2. Review your pre-rated matches while you’re at it. Check out advisor profiles.

3. Talk to counselors at no cost to you. Make an introductory phone call or show up in person and choose who to work with in the future

Take the retirement test right here.

The post The Ultimate Guide to US Air Force Aircraft appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..