June 6th is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the battle that set the groundwork for the Allied victory in World War II. In order to successfully support the Allied invasion of Normandy, the skies had to be secured. Over 13,000 aircraft participated in important air invasion operations such as covering troops, strategic bombing, reconnaissance missions, and deploying paratroopers. Without the combination of fighter, bomber, transport, and reconnaissance aircraft, the Allied forces may not have been able to establish a foothold in France.
The United States Air Force still utilizes a combination of different aircraft types to establish national security. At present, fifth generation fighter jets are the pinnacle of modern aviation as they feature a blend of stealth, advanced avionics, and agility. Access to these jets is exclusive only to a handful of nations as it adds significantly to the strength of any air force. The United States is one of these privileged few nations that sees widespread use of fifth generation fighter jets, making it one of the most powerful air forces in the world. Notable examples of these fighter jets include the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, which are known for their air superiority capabilities and versatility. (These are the most widely used stealth planes.)
Aside from fighter jets, the U.S. Air Force employs a series of aircraft for strategic and tactical lift operations. These aircraft carry troops, cargo and equipment around the world. The C-130 Hercules, a staple of U.S. military operations, has been fulfilling these transport and tanker roles since the 1950s. (These are the oldest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force.)
To identify every aircraft in the U.S. Air Force 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ordered these aircraft by how many are currently in active service. We also included supplemental data on the type of aircraft and how many of these aircraft are on order. We excluded aircraft that are exclusively for training.
Why This Matters
Source: Staff Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby, U.S. Air Force via Wikimedia Commons
24/7 wants to help you better understand how our nation’s defense affects the economy. In March 2024, the Biden Administration submitted a Fiscal Year 2025 budget request of $849.8 billion for the Department of Defense. A sizable portion of these funds will go into the research and development of new military technologies, including aircraft in the US Air Force. For example, when a new F-35 Lightning II is created, its economic reach impacts nearly every US state (through a large network of suppliers, administrators, trainers, etc) and creates jobs both directly and indirectly.
Scroll below to see every aircraft in the US Air Force:
47. 737 (E-7A) (AEW)
Source: alexlayzell / Flickr
The 737 (E-7A) (AEW) is a special mission aircraft. Currently, there are 0 active in the Air Force. However, 26 of these aircraft are on order.
46. AT-802U
The AT-802U is a combat aircraft. Currently, there are 0 active in the Air Force. However, 75 of these aircraft are on order.
45. B-21
Source: Tech. Sgt. William OBrien, 94th Airlift Wing photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The B-21 is a combat aircraft. Currently, there are 0 active in the Air Force. However, 100 of these aircraft are on order.
44. DHC-6
Source: tomasdelcoro / Flickr
The DHC-6 is a transport aircraft. There is one DHC-6 active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
43. G550 (EC-37B) (SIGINT)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The G550 (EC-37B) (SIGINT) is a special mission aircraft. There is one currently active in the Air Force, with 9 on order.
42. Gulfstream G550
Source: Anna Zvereva / Wikimedia Commons
The Gulfstream G550 is a transport aircraft. There is one currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
41. Gulfstream IV (C-20H)
Source: airlines470 / Flickr
The Gulfstream IV (C-20H) is a transport aircraft. There is one currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
40. Mi-171
Source: slezo / Flickr
The Mi-171 is a combat helicopter. There is one currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
39. PA-31
Source: andreboeni / Flickr
The PA-31 is a transport aircraft. There is one currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
38. Cessna 208
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Cessna 208 is a transport aircraft. There are two currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
37. Beech 1900 (C-12J)
Source: antonov22 / Flickr
The Beech 1900 (C-12J) is a transport aircraft. There are three currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
36. C295 (L3Harris)
The C295 (L3Harris) is a transport aircraft. There are three currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
35. 747 (E-4B) (Comms)
The 747 (E-4B) (Comms) is a special mission aircraft. There are four currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
34. 757 (C-32B) (Recce)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The 757 (C-32B) (Recce) is a special mission aircraft. There are four currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
33. AW139 (MH-139)
The AW139 (MH-139) is a combat helicopter. There are four currently active in the Air Force, with 78 on order.
32. CN235 (Recce)
Source: Julian_Mg / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
The CN235 (Recce) is a special mission aircraft. There are five currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
31. Global Express (E-11A) (Comms)
Source: Wo st 01 / Wikimedia Commons
The Global Express (E-11A) (Comms) is a special mission aircraft. There are 7 currently active in the Air Force, with 4 on order.
30. Dash 8-100/200 (Recce)
Source: JoeClemson / iStock via Getty Images
The Dash 8-100/200 (Recce) is a special mission aircraft. There are 10 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
29. EC-130 H/J
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
The EC-130 H/J is a special mission aircraft. There are 14 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
28. B-2
Source: Jorge Villalba / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
The B-2 is a combat aircraft. There are 17 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
27. Learjet 35 (C-21A)
Source: tomasdelcoro / Flickr
The Learjet 35 (C-21A) is a transport aircraft. There are 19 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
26. DC-10 (KC-10)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The DC-10 (KC-10) is a tanker. There are 20 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
25. Dornier 328 (C-146)
Source: Tupungato / Wikimedia Commons
The Dornier 328 (C-146) is a transport aircraft. There are 20 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
24. RC-135S/U/V/W (ELINT)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia
The RC-135S/U/V/W (ELINT) is a special mission aircraft. There are 22 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
23. King Air 200 (C-12)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The King Air 200 (C-12) is a transport aircraft. There are 23 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
22. 707 (E-8C/E-3B)
The 707 (E-8C/E-3B) is a special mission aircraft as well as a training aircraft. There are 26 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
21. U-2S (Recce)
Source: Work of a U.S. Air Force Airman or employee/Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The U-2S (Recce) is a special mission aircraft. There are 26 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
20. AC-130 J/W
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The AC-130 J/W is a combat aircraft. There are 32 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
19. PC-12 (U-28)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The PC-12 (U-28) is a special mission aircraft as well as a transport aircraft. There are 35 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
18. King Air 350 (MC-12W) (Recce)
Source: nuttapong / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
The King Air 350 (MC-12W) (Recce) is a special mission aircraft. There are 36 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
17. HC-130J (SAR)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The HC-130J (SAR) is a special mission aircraft. There are 40 currently active in the Air Force, with 6 on order.
16. B-1B
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The B-1B is a combat aircraft. There are 42 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
15. C-5M
Source: VanderWolf-Images / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
The C-5M is a transport aircraft. There are 52 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
14. CV-22
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
The CV-22 is a combat helicopter. There are 52 currently active in the Air Force, with 2 on order.
13. MC-130J
Source: ajw1970 / Flickr
The MC-130J is a tanker. There are 57 currently active in the Air Force, with 4 on order.
12. UH-1N
Source: dvids / Flickr
The UH-1N is a combat helicopter. There are 64 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
11. 767 (KC-46A)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The 767 (KC-46A) is a tanker. There are 72 currently active in the Air Force, with 99 on order.
10. B-52H
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
The B-52H is a combat aircraft. There are 72 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
9. S-70/HH-60G/U/W/MH-60G
The S-70/HH-60G/U/W/MH-60G is a combat helicopter. There are 96 currently active in the Air Force, with 91 on order.
8. F-22
Source: tomasdelcoro / Flickr
The F-22 is a combat aircraft. There are 178 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
7. C-17
Source: crudmucosa / Flickr
The C-17 is a transport aircraft. There are 228 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
6. A-10C
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The A-10C is a combat aircraft. There are 270 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
5. C-130 H/J
The C-130 H/J is a transport aircraft. There are 330 currently active in the Air Force, with 26 on order.
4. F-35 A
Source: Robert Sullivan / Public Domain / Flickr
The F-35 A serves as a combat aircraft as well as a training aircraft. There are 363 currently active in the Air Force, with 1372 on order.
3. KC-135R/T
The KC-135R/T is a tanker. There are 377 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
2. F-15 C/D/E/EX
The F-15 C/D/E/EX serves as a combat aircraft as well as a training aircraft. There are 395 currently active in the Air Force, with 102 on order.
1. F-16 C/D
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
The F-16 C/D serves as a combat aircraft as well as a training aircraft. There are 875 currently active in the Air Force, with zero on order.
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