This Odd-Looking White Aircraft Is Coming Soon to the US Air Force

24/7 Wall St. Insights

• We used data from the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal and Military Factory.
• Some of the combat aircraft employed by the United States were introduced as far back as the 1950s.
• Also, Discover “The Next NVIDIA”

NATO and the United States Department of Defense define air supremacy as the “degree of air superiority wherein the opposing air force is incapable of effective interference.” The Ukraine war is a current example of the need to maintain the right equipment and enough of that equipment to fend off and defeat an enemy. With the transfer of fourth-generation F-16 multi-role aircraft to Ukraine, the US was able to assist them in their current efforts against Russia.

The United States is considered to have one of the strongest air forces in the world, and even they do not have the latest and greatest in combat aircraft. The US Air Force employs a mix of both old and new generations of fighter jets to ensure their air dominance, should the need arise. They are also always in the process of maintaining the equipment they have and researching the next generation of technology for what they will add to their fleet in the future.

Here, 24/7 Wall St. is looking at some of the oldest and newest combat aircraft in the U.S. Air Force. To identify the oldest and newest combat aircraft in the United States military, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ranked these aircraft according to when they entered service with data from Military Factory, an online database of arms, vehicles, and aircraft. We also included supplemental data on how many of these aircraft are in active service or on order, the type of aircraft, and what military branches they serve in.

Some of the combat aircraft employed by the United States were introduced as far back as the 1950s. Even though some of these entered service more than half a century ago, constant upgrades and advancements have kept these planes in the fleet. The B-52 strategic bomber is one example of these older combat aircraft still fielded by the U.S. Air Force that still serves next to the newest iterations of the F-35 Lightning II.

Another example of an older aircraft that has proved resilient over the years is the F-15 Eagle, which was first introduced to service in 1976. Currently, over 375 of these fighter jets are in active service in the U.S. Air Force, with more than 100 on order.

One last thing to note is that the B-21 Raider is currently in the works for the U.S. Air Force. Although it is not in service yet, it has made some preliminary test flights, and there are a few of these stealth bombers in stock, but the U.S. Air Force has not disclosed that number.

Why Are We Covering This?

Understanding the combat aircraft used by the U.S. provides insight into joint military capabilities and defense strategies. Also, knowing what the U.S. has in its arsenal further explains its military capabilities.

Here is a look at the oldest and newest combat aircraft currently serving in the U.S. military.

17. B-21 Raider

• Year entered service: Expected 2028
• Type: Long-range strategic stealth bomber
• Active aircraft: 0
• Aircraft on order: 100
• Military branch in service: United States Air Force

16. AC-130J Ghostrider

• Year entered service: 2017
• Type: Ground attack / close-air support
• Active aircraft: 29
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branch in service: United States Air Force

15. F-35A Lightning II

• Year entered service: 2016
• Type: Multirole 5th generation aircraft
• Active aircraft: 234
• Aircraft on order: 1,372
• Military branch in service: United States Air Force

14. F-35B Lightning II (VTOL)

• Year entered service: 2016
• Type: Multirole 5th generation aircraft (Vertical Takeoff and Landing)
• Active aircraft: 112
• Aircraft on order: 279
• Military branch in service: United States Marine Corps

13. F-35C Lightning II

• Year entered service: 2016
• Type: Multirole 5th generation carrier-borne aircraft
• Active aircraft: 30
• Aircraft on order: 204
• Military branch in service: United States Navy

12. AC-130W Stinger II

• Year entered service: 2010
• Type: Special operations fixed-wing gunship
• Active aircraft: 3
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branch in service: United States Air Force

11. F-22 Raptor

• Year entered service: 2005
• Type: 5th generation air dominance fighter aircraft
• Active aircraft: 178
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branch in service: United States Air Force

10. F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

• Year entered service: 1999
• Type: Carrier-based strike fighter aircraft
• Active aircraft: 421
• Aircraft on order: 76
• Military branch in service: United States Navy

9. B-2 Spirit

• Year entered service: 1997
• Type: Strategic stealth heavy bomber
• Active aircraft: 17
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branch in service: United States Air Force

8. AT-802U Sky Warden

• Year entered service: 1990
• Type: Multirole light aircraft
• Active aircraft: 0
• Aircraft on order: 75
• Military branch in service: United States Air Force

7. B-1B Lancer

• Year entered service: 1986
• Type: Strategic heavy bomber
• Active aircraft: 42
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branch in service: United States Air Force

6. AV-8B/+ Harrier II

• Year entered service: 1985
• Type: Short take-off and vertical landing strike aircraft
• Active aircraft: 87
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branch in service: United States Marine Corps

5. F/A-18A/C/D Hornet

• Year entered service: 1983
• Type: Carrier-based strike fighter aircraft
• Active aircraft: 140
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branch in service: United States Marine Corps

4. F-16C Fighting Falcon

• Year entered service: 1978
• Type: Multirole 4th generation fighter aircraft
• Active aircraft: 738
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branch in service: United States Air Force

3. A-10C Thunderbolt II

• Year entered service: 1976
• Type: Close-air support / forward air control
• Active aircraft: 270
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branch in service: United States Air Force

2. F-15 C/E/EX Eagle II

• Year entered service: 1976
• Type: Air superiority fighter aircraft
• Active aircraft: 377
• Aircraft on order: 102
• Military branch in service: United States Air Force

1. B-52H Stratofortress

• Year entered service: 1955
• Type: Long-range strategic heavy bomber
• Active aircraft: 72
• Aircraft on order: 0
• Military branch in service: United States Air Force

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