Jet Fighters

Jet fighters are the most recognizable type of military aircraft. They are small, lightweight, aircraft that are armed for engaging targets in the air. Some of the most popular jet fighters used around the world include the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Sukhoi Su-30.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon has been a workhorse aircraft for the United States Air Force since the 1970s. Over 4,500 have been produced and it is currently used by more than 25 countries. It is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft capable of completing many types of missions including air superiority, ground attack and reconnaissance. The F-16 has a top speed of over 1,500 mph and can pull over 9 G's in a turn.

Another very popular multi-role fighter is the F/A-18 Hornet. Produced by McDonnell Douglas and now Boeing, it first entered service with the United States Navy in the 1980s. Over 1,500 Hornets have now been delivered. Like the F-16, the F/A-18 is highly maneuverable and versatile. It can defend against other aircraft, conduct precision strikes and support ground troops. Variants of the F/A-18 are currently flown by the militaries of many allies.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a European pan-continental, twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter. It was designed and is manufactured by a consortium of three major European aerospace companies - Airbus Defence and Space, BAE Systems and Leonardo S.p.A. It is currently operated by the British Royal Air Force, Italian Air Force, German Air Force, Spanish Air Force and the Austrian Air Force. It has excellent maneuverability and is capable of reaching speeds over mach 2 while having extensive sensor and weapon suites.

The Sukhoi Su-30 is a twin-engine, two-seat air superiority fighter developed in the Soviet Union by Sukhoi. It remains one of the largest and heaviest multirole fighters in operation today. Advanced variants like the Su-30MKI are widely operated by the Indian Air Force. With its powerful radars and long range missiles, the Su-30 can pose a significant threat to any adversary aircraft.

Bombers

Bombers are Military Aircraft  designed primarily for delivering various payloads over long distances, though many modern bombers also incorporate ground attack capabilities. Some of the most prominent bombers currently in service include the B-52 Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit for the United States, and the Tupolev Tu-22M and Tupolev Tu-160 for Russia.

The B-52 Stratofortress entered service in the 1950s and is still flown operationally today despite its age. Over 700 were built and around 60 remain in service with the US Air Force. Equipped with advanced electronics and weapons, the B-52 can perform many missions including conventional intercontinental-range bombing, missile deployment, and intelligence gathering. It has a range of around 8,800 miles without refueling and the ability to deliver a variety of precision munitions.

The B-1B Lancer took over the supersonic payload capacity role in the late 1980s. Around 100 are in service. Designed to maximize payload and speed, the B-1B carries extensive electronic countermeasures equipment and internal weapons bays that allow deployment of nuclear and conventional ordnance. It has a combat range of around 3,000 nautical miles with a payload of 75,000 pounds.

The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber can attack targets with conventional or thermonuclear weapons by penetrating sophisticated air defense systems. It is a flying wing design with a radar cross-section greatly reduced over more conventional aircraft. Only 20 were built at a cost of $2 billion each but their ability to avoid detection helped them achieve strategic bombing objectives in missions over Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.

Transport Aircraft

Military transport aircraft deliver cargo, personnel, equipment and sometimes serve as flying hospitals or command centers. The C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III and A400M Atlas are some of the most utilized transports worldwide.

The C-130 Hercules entered service in the 1950s and remains the most produced military aircraft in history with over 2,500 delivered. It is a tactical airlifter that can use short, unprepared runways and its versatility has allowed it to serve in many roles including aerial refueling, search and rescue, gunship support, and weather reconnaissance. Its range is around 2,250 nautical miles.

The C-17 Globemaster III is a larger and more powerful transport aircraft that began replacing the C-141 Starlifter in the 1990s. Around 220 have been built and it is capable of rapidly delivering troops and cargo across intercontinental ranges. With a 275,000 pound payload capacity and flight deck optimized for medical evacuations, the C-17 can respond to humanitarian disasters and support military operations globally.

The Airbus A400M Atlas is a European-developed multirole transport aircraft intended to replace older planes like the Transall C-160. It has advanced turboprop propulsion providing better performance from short runways and hot/high altitudes than jet-powered transports. Over 140 are planned to be manufactured for 7 countries, providing heavy airlift capacity and aerial refueling abilities.

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