F-22 Raptor: Developed for the United States Air Force, the F-22 is a stealth tactical fighter capable of everything its brethren fighter jets can do and more; however, the plane may be too good. Its costs were high and the need for it low. As such, the contract to produce more was ended.
MV-22 Osprey: Speaking of newer technology, this tiltrotor aircraft is quite a sight to see. The USMC and USAF use this vertical or short take off and landing aircraft– it can function like a helicopter, but has the range of fixed wing aircraft.
AC-130 Spectre Gunship: This aircraft might not be fast or stealthy, but you sure don’t want to be its target. This heavily armed version of the C-130 is often an angel in the sky. When troops on the ground need Close Air Support (CAS), they hope that one of these bad boys is on station to wreak havoc on the enemy and their locations…and trust us…they do.
B-52 Stratofortress Bomber: It is not the most frequently used aircraft, but it certainly is among the most feared. This long range bomber is capable of carrying upwards of 70,000 pounds in weapons and has been in service with the U.S. Military since the 1950s.
A-10 Thunderbolt II, AKA Warthog: Perhaps the military community’s best friend, the A-10 Warthog tears through enemy positions in devastating fashion. The “burrrrrrp” of its GAU-8/A Avenger 30mm hydraulically driven seven-barrel Gatling-type cannon is capable of firing 4,200 rounds per minute. It is a welcomed sound to those on the ground needing CAS. While discussions to replace the beloved A-10 have been on the table for years, they continue to be pushed further out. It may just be worth running for Congress to ensure this trend continues and the A-10 sticks around.
C-17 Globemaster III: The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a beast of a plane and commonly performs both tactical and strategic airlift missions. This includes transporting troops and cargo throughout the world. The C-17 can carry over 100 paratroopers and their equipment and was designed to operate from runways as short as 3,500 ft and as narrow as 90 ft.
B-1 Lancer: First produced in the early 1970’s by Rockwell, the B-1 is a four-engine supersonic jet-powered heavy strategic bomber. The B-1 can reach speeds of Mach 1.25 at high altitude and is now used by the United States Air Force as a conventional bomber, after being retrofitted from its original purpose of delivering nuclear weapons.
