Only three countries in the world are currently producing fifth generation aircraft with stealth technology. Russia, China and the United States sit at the top of this technological hierarchy and occupy an elite club of global military superpowers. While other countries might own some stealth aircraft, these are purchased from one of these three and the market for these new aircraft is hot considering geopolitical tensions around the world are high.
This stealth technology was first invented around the 1970s. Basically, this technology in its modern iteration helps aircraft to avoid detection by reducing reflection, radar detection, and certain emissions such as infrared, radio frequency, and audio. As this technology continues to evolve, more aircraft on the global stage are gaining stealth capabilities, but there are a few now that currently employ these stealth features. (Exploring the fastest and most powerful fighter jets in existence.)
To identify the most widely used stealth planes on Earth, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website. Stealth aircraft, including uncrewed aerial vehicles, were ranked by the number of units in service in the 163 countries with data on FlightGlobal. UAV figures came from Military Factory. Supplemental data regarding the type of aircraft and notable countries that use it also came from FlightGlobal. Data on top speed came from Military Factory.
Some of the most prolific stealth aircraft come from the United States, with the most widely used being the F-35 Lightning II. Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman have produced and sold hundreds of these stealth fighter jets to U.S. allies, mainly to countries in NATO. (These are the NATO countries with the most military aircraft.)
Here is a look at the most popular stealth aircraft on Earth:
14. B-21 Raider
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Number of aircraft in service: 0 (100 on order)
- Countries in use: United States
- Top speed: 621 mph
- Type: Stealth bomber
13. Sukhoi Checkmate (Su-75)
Source: The Presidential Press and Information Office / Wikimedia Commons
- Number of aircraft in service: 1 (tied)
- Countries in use: Russia
- Top speed: 808 mph
- Type: Fighter jet
12. Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Number of aircraft in service: 1 (tied)
- Countries in use: United States
- Top speed: 652 mph
- Type: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
11. Northrop Grumman RQ-180
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Number of aircraft in service: 1 (tied)
- Countries in use: United States
- Top speed: 590 mph
- Type: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
10. Hongdu Gongji-11 (GJ-11)
Source: 颐园居 / Wikimedia Commons
- Number of aircraft in service: 12
- Countries in use: China
- Top speed: 621 mph
- Type: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
9. Sukhoi Felon (Su-57)
Source: Dmitry Potashkin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Number of aircraft in service: 14
- Countries in use: Russia
- Top speed: 1,616 mph
- Type: Fighter jet
8. B-2 Spirit
Source: telegraham / E+ via Getty Images
- Number of aircraft in service: 17
- Countries in use: United States
- Top speed: 628 mph
- Type: Stealth bomber
7. Chengdu Black Eagle (J-20)
Source: N509FZ / Wikimedia Commons
- Number of aircraft in service: 19
- Countries in use: China
- Top speed: 1,305 mph
- Type: Fighter jet
6. Ryan AQM-91 Firefly
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Number of aircraft in service: 28
- Countries in use: United States
- Top speed: 505 mph
- Type: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
5. Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel
Source: FOX 52 / Wikimedia Commons
- Number of aircraft in service: 50
- Countries in use: United States
- Top speed: 590 mph
- Type: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
4. Shenyang Red Eagle (J-16)
Source: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation / Wikimedia Commons
- Number of aircraft in service: 105
- Countries in use: China
- Top speed: 1,522 mph
- Type: Fighter jet
3. F-22 Raptor
Source: KuntalSaha / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Number of aircraft in service: 178
- Countries in use: United States
- Top speed: 1,599 mph
- Type: Fighter jet
2. Shenyang Flanker B+ (J-11)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Number of aircraft in service: 255
- Countries in use: China
- Top speed: 1,553 mph
- Type: Fighter jet
1. F-35 Lightning II
Source: my_public_domain_photos / Flickr
- Number of aircraft in service: 869
- Countries in use: United States, Canada, Germany, Israel, Ital
- Top speed: 1,199 mph
- Type: Fighter jet
Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor
Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
