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List of equipment of the United States Air Force

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The equipment of the United States Air Force can be subdivided into: aircraft, ammunition, weapons, and ground vehicles.[1]

Munitions

More information Name, Type ...
Name Type Picture
Missiles
AGM-114 Air-to-surface
AGM-65 Air-to-surface
AGM-86 Air-to-surface, cruise
AGM-88 Air-to-surface, anti-radiation
AGM-154 Glide bomb
AGM-158 Air-to-surface, cruise
AIM-7 Air-to-air, medium-range
AIM-9 Air-to-air, short-range
AIM-120 Air-to-air, medium-range
LGM-30 Intercontinental ballistic
Bombs
B61 Thermonuclear
B83 Thermonuclear
BLU-109 Bunker buster
BLU-116 Bunker buster
CBU-87 Cluster
CBU-89 Cluster
CBU-97 Cluster
GBU-10 Precision-guided
GBU-12 Precision-guided
GBU-15 Precision-guided
GBU-16 Precision-guided
GBU-24 Precision-guided
GBU-27 Precision-guided
GBU-28 Precision-guided
GBU-31 Precision-guided
GBU-32 Precision-guided
GBU-38 Precision-guided
GBU-39 Precision-guided
GBU-53 Precision-guided
GBU-54 Precision-guided
GBU-55 Precision-guided
GBU-56 Precision-guided
GBU-57 Precision-guided / bunker buster
GBU-69 Precision-guided / Glide-Bomb
GBU-72 Precision-guided / bunker buster
Mk-82 General-purpose
Mk-84 General-purpose
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Weapons

More information Name, Type ...
Name Type Picture Ammunition Used by
Mounted Weapons
GAU-8 Avenger Seven-barrelled Rotary cannon 30×173 mm A-10/OA-10 Thunderbolt II
GAU-22/A Four-barrelled Rotary cannon 25×137 mm F-35 Lightning II
M61 Six-barrelled Rotary cannon
20×102mm Vulcan F-15 Eagle
F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-22 Raptor
GAU-23/A Chain gun autocannon 30×173mm AC-130
M102 Howitzer 105×372mmR AC-130
GAU-16 .50 BMG UH-1 Iroquois
GAU-17 Six-barrelled Minigun/Rotary machine gun
7.62×51mm NATO HH-60 Pave Hawk
UH-1 Iroquois
M240 Mounted
7.62×51mm NATO UH-1 Iroquois
Small arms
Beretta M9 Pistol
9×19mm Parabellum
M11 pistol Pistol
9×19mm Parabellum
M18 pistol Pistol
9×19mm Parabellum
M4/M4A1 Assault rifle, Carbine
5.56×45mm NATO
HK416 Assault rifle, Carbine
5.56×45mm NATO Used exclusively by AFSOC
M16A2 rifle Assault Rifle
5.56×45mm NATO
MP5 submachine gun Submachine gun
Multiple (9×19mm Parabellum, 10mm Auto MP5/10, or .40 S&W M5/40)
M249 machine gun Light machine gun, Squad automatic weapon
5.56×45mm NATO
M240 machine gun General purpose medium machine gun
7.62×51mm NATO
M2 machine gun Heavy machine gun
.50 BMG
M82 Anti-materiel sniper rifle .50 BMG
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Vehicles

Aircraft

See also: United States Air Force § Aircraft inventory

Aircraft are listed in the table below alphabetically by the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system "Basic Mission" or "Vehicle Type" code (ignoring preceding "Modified Mission" or "Status Prefix" codes), then serially by "Design number", then alphabetically by "Series letter" and lastly alphabetically by "Modified Mission" or "Status Prefix" code when applicable. Aircraft without a 1962 Tri-Service designation system designation are listed alphabetically at the end of the table.

More information Aircraft, Manufacturer ...
Aircraft Manufacturer Origin Propulsion Role Control Introduced/IOC Inventory Notes
OA-1K Skyraider II L3Harris USA Propeller CAS / Attack Manned 2025 8 SOF support
A-10C Thunderbolt II Fairchild Republic USA Jet CAS / Attack Manned 2007 (A-10C)[2] 162[3] The Air Force is seeking to retire all A-10s in FY2026.[3]
A-29C Super Tucano Sierra Nevada Corporation[4] Brazil Propeller Research and development Manned 2003 3[5] Delivered to Air Force Special Operations Command in 2021. Transferred to the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in 2024.[4][6]
EA-37B Compass Call Gulfstream USA Jet Radar jamming / PSYOP Manned 2026[7] 1[8] 2 ordered[9] Replacement for EC-130H Compass Call.[8] 10 planned.[7]
B-1 Lancer Rockwell International USA Jet Bomber Manned 1986[10] 40[11] Long-range conventional bomber. Employs variable-sweep wing design. To be replaced by the B-21 Raider around 2032.[10] The Air Force is seeking to divest one B-1 in FY2026.[3]
B-2 Spirit Northrop Grumman USA Jet Bomber Manned 1997[10] 20[11] Stealth long-range nuclear-capable heavy bomber. To be replaced by the B-21 Raider around 2032.[10] One aircraft to be divested in FY2025.[12]
B-21 Raider Northrop Grumman USA Jet Bomber Optionally piloted[13] 3[citation needed] Stealth long-range nuclear-capable heavy bomber. The first B-21 test aircraft made its maiden flight in November 2023.[14] To replace the B-2 Spirit and B-1 Lancer around 2032.[13]
B-52H Stratofortress Boeing USA Jet Bomber Manned 1961 (B-52H)[13] 72[11] Currently undergoing re-engining. Expected to serve into the 2050s.[13] One aircraft crashed on 15 June 2026.[15]
C-5M Super Galaxy Lockheed USA Jet Strategic airlifter Manned 2014 (C-5M)[16] 52[5]
C-12C/D/F/J Huron Beechcraft USA Propeller Transport Manned c. 1974[16] 29[5]
C-17A Globemaster III McDonnell Douglas/Boeing USA Jet Strategic airlifter Manned 1995[17] 219[18] These were produced by McDonnell-Douglas prior to the merger with Boeing.[citation needed]
C-21A Learjet 35 Learjet USA Jet VIP transport Manned 1984[17] 19[5]
VC-25A Boeing USA Jet Presidential transport Manned 1990 2
C-32A/B Air Force Two Boeing USA Jet VIP transport Manned 1998[19] 4/2[5]
C-37A/B Gulfstream V Gulfstream USA Jet VIP transport Manned 1998[19] 9/7[5] VIP transport. 16 planned.[20]
C-40B/C Boeing USA Jet VIP transport Manned 2003[19] 4/7[5]
KC-46A Pegasus Boeing USA Jet Aerial refueling Manned FY24 (planned)[21] 77[22] 179 planned.[7]
C-130H Hercules Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Tactical airlifter Manned c. 1974[23] 126[5] The C-130J is replacing the C-130H on a one-for-one basis. The Air Force has Congressionally mandated floor of 271 C-130 aircraft. The Air Force is seeking to divest 14 C-130Hs in FY2026.[3]
EC-130H Compass Call Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Radar jamming / PSYOP Manned 1983; Block 35, 2011[24] 5[8] The Air Force is seeking to divest 3 EC-130Hs in FY2026.[3]
LC-130H Hercules Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Cargo aircraft Manned c. 1984[25] 10[26] Assigned to 109th Airlift Wing[citation needed]
C-130J Super Hercules/J-30 Super Hercules Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Tactical airlifter Manned 2006[23] 151[5]
AC-130J Ghostrider Lockheed Martin USA Propeller CAS / Attack Manned 2017 (AC-130J)[27] 31[28] Final aircraft delivered in 2022.[28]
HC-130J Combat King II Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Search and rescue Manned 2013[29] 39[5]
MC-130J Commando II Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Multi-mission/Special Operations Manned 2012[30] 57[5] 64 planned.[31]
WC-130J Hercules Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Weather reconnaissance Manned 2006[32] 10[5] Assigned to 403d Wing
WC-135R Constant Phoenix Boeing USA Jet Atmospheric research Manned 2022 (WC-135R)[29] 3[5]
KC-135R/T Stratotanker Boeing USA Jet Aerial refueling Manned 1957[16] 376[5] The Air Force is seeking to divest 14 KC-135 in FY2026.[3]
TC-135S/W Boeing USA Jet Trainer Manned 1961 3[5]
RC-135S/U/V/W Cobra Ball/Combat Sent/Rivet Joint Boeing USA Jet Reconnaissance / ELINT / surveillance Manned 1972 25[5]
C-146A Wolfhound[33] Fairchild-Dornier Germany Propeller Transport Manned c. 2011[27] 20[34] Delivered 2011–2017.[27] Flown with the 524th Special Operations Squadron[35]
C-147A De Havilland Canada Canada Propeller Transport Manned For the U.S. Army Parachute Team[36]
E-3B/G Sentry (AWACS) Boeing USA Jet AWACS Manned 1977; 2014 (Block 40/45)[37] 15[5] To be replaced by the E-2D Hawkeye.
E-4B (NAOC) Boeing USA Jet Command and control Manned 1978 (E-4B)[38] 4[5] Assigned to the 595th Command and Control Group. To be replaced by the Survivable Airborne Operations Center.[39]
E-9A Widget De Havilland Canada Canada Propeller Surveillance Manned 1988[38] 2[5] Military surveillance version of the DHC-8-100, used for missile range control.[citation needed]
E-11A (BACN)[40] Northrop Grumman USA / Canada Jet Command and control / BACN Manned c. 2011[41] 5[5] 2 aircraft to be divested in FY2025.[42] Nine planned.[7]
F-15C/D Eagle McDonnell Douglas USA Jet Air superiority Manned 1979 (F-15C/D)[43] 108[5] F-15C retired from active service in 2025.[44] 12 D variants[5] are used for training. The Air Force is seeking to divest 13 F-15C and Ds s in FY2026.[3]
F-15E Strike Eagle McDonnell Douglas/Boeing USA Jet Multirole, primarily strike Manned 1989[43] 218[5] The Air Force is seeking to divest 21 F-15Es FY2026.[3]
F-15EX Eagle II Boeing USA Jet Multirole, primarily strike Manned 2024 (planned)[45] 8[5][46] F-15C/D Eagle replacement.[47] 267 planned.[48]
QF-16A/C Boeing USA Jet Target drone[49] Optionally piloted[49] 2016[49] 73[5] Conversion of an F-16 Fighting Falcon to full-scale aerial target. Final deliveries will take place 2024–2025.[49] 126 planned.[50]
F-16C/D Fighting Falcon General Dynamics USA Jet Multirole Manned 1981 (Block 25-32); 1989 (Block 40/42); 1994 (Block 50/52)[51] 762[5] The Air Force is seeking to divest 62 F-16C/Ds in FY2026.[3]
F-22A Raptor Lockheed Martin USA Jet Air superiority Manned 2005[52] 183[5] Stealth aircraft. To be succeeded by the F-47.[53][54]
F-35A Lightning II Lockheed Martin USA Jet Multirole Manned 2016[52] 302[5] 7 on order[9] 1,763 planned.[55]
F-117 Nighthawk Lockheed USA Jet Aggressor aircraft/research and development Manned 1983[4] 4[34] Although officially retired in 2008, the aircraft has been involved in various exercises beginning around 2020.[4] The Air Force possesses 45 F-117s, some in flyable condition, As of 2023. The Air Force plans to operate the type through 2034.[56]
TG-15A Glider Trainer Manned 2[5]
TG-15B Glider Trainer Manned 3[5]
TG-16A Glider Trainer Manned 19[5]
TG-17A Glider Trainer Manned 1[5] MDM MDM-1 Fox donated to the 94th Flying Training Squadron.[57]
TH-1H Iroquois Bell USA Helicopter Trainer Manned c. 2009[58] 28[5] Light lift training helicopter[58] To be replaced by the MH-139A.[59]
UH-1N Twin Huey/UH-1N Operational

Support Airlift

 Bell USA Helicopter Utility Manned 1970[58] 63[5] Light lift helicopter. To be replaced by the MH-139 Grey Wolf.[58] The Air Force is seeking to divest 4 UH-1Ns in FY2026.[3]
HH-60G/U Pave Hawk Sikorsky USA Helicopter CSAR Manned 1982[60] 64[5] To be replaced by the HH-60W Jolly Green II.The Air Force is seeking to divest 11 HH-60G in FY2026.[3]
HH-60W Jolly Green II Sikorsky USA Helicopter CSAR Manned 2022[60] 32[5] To replace the HH-60G/U Pave Hawk. 85 planned.[61]
MH-139A Grey Wolf AgustaWestland Helicopter Utility Manned 2023 (planned)[58] 7[citation needed] 6 test aircraft and 1 production aircraft have been delivered. 20 on order. 42 planned.[62]
P-9A Pale Ale Bombardier Canada Propeller Maritime patrol Manned 4[5] Government-owned contractor-operated fleet tasked with monitoring drug trafficking.[24]
RQ-4B Global Hawk Northrop Grumman USA Jet ISTAR Unmanned 2011 (Block 30), 2016 (Block 40)[63] 9[64]
MQ-9A Reaper General Atomics USA Propeller Multi-mission[65] Unmanned 2007, 2015 (ER)[63] 102[5]
RQ-20 Puma AeroVironment USA Propeller Patrol Unmanned 2008[citation needed]
RQ-170 Sentinel Lockheed Martin USA Jet Multi-Mission Unmanned 2007[citation needed]
T-1A Jayhawk Raytheon USA Jet Trainer Manned 1993[58] 127[5] Multi-engine trainer. The Air Force is seeking to divest 35 T-1s in FY2026.[3]
T-6A Texan II Raytheon/Beechcraft USA Propeller Trainer Manned 2000[66] 442[5]
T-7 Red Hawk Boeing / Saab USA Jet Trainer Manned 2028 (planned)[66] 2[67] Replacement for the T-38 Talon. The first five test aircraft will be production representative. 351 planned.[68]
T-38A/C/AT-38B Talon Northrop USA Jet Trainer Manned 1961[69] 495[5] To be replaced by the T-7A. The Air Force is seeking to divest 17 T-38A/Cs in FY2026.[70]
T-41D Mescalero Cessna USA Propeller Basic trainer Manned 1964 4[5]
T-51A Cessna Cessna USA Propeller Basic trainer Manned 1957 3[5]
T-53A Kadet II Cirrus USA Propeller Basic trainer Manned 1995 24[5] USAFA flight training aircraft
U-2S Dragon Lady Lockheed USA Jet Reconnaissance Manned c. 1981 (U-2R)[32] 27[71] The Air Force plans to divest all U-2s and TU-2s in FY2026.[71]
TU-2S Dragon Lady Lockheed USA Jet Conversion trainer Manned 4[5] The Air Force is seeking to divest all U-2s and TU-2s in FY2026.[71]
U-28A Draco/PC-12 Pilatus Switzerland Propeller Utility Manned 1991 30 U-28A/5 PC-12[37] PC-12 used for training. Used by SOCOM for reconnaissance. To be replaced in SOCOM by the OA-1K Sky Warden.[72]
UV-18B Twin Otter De Havilland Canada Canada Propeller Utility Manned 1988 3[5] USAFA parachute training aircraft
CV-22B Osprey Bell, Boeing USA Tiltrotor CSAR / transport Manned 2006[73] 52[5] 2 on order.[9] Two aging CV-22Bs will be divested in FY2025 and be replaced with new aircraft.[74]
X-62 VISTA General Dynamics USA Jet In-flight simulator[69] Optionally piloted[75] 1992[69] 1[69] A highly modified version of the F-16D incorporating artificial intelligence used by the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School[69]
BQM-167 Skeeter Composite Engineering Jet Target drone Unmanned 2008[63] 37[63] Subscale aerial target. 800+ planned.[76]
CN-235 CASA Spain Propeller Reconnaissance Manned 1988 5[34] Flown with the 427th Special Operations Squadron
Dzyne ULTRA DZYNE Technologies USA Propeller Surveillance Unmanned c. 2024
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Ground vehicles

More information Name, Type ...
Name Type Versions Quantity Picture
Humvee Armored car ?
R-5 Refueler Aircraft refueling vehicle ?
R-9 Refueler Aircraft refueling vehicle ?
R-11 Refueler Aircraft refueling vehicle ?
C300 Ground refuel vehicle ?
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Attire

Main article: United States Air Force uniform
More information Current attire, Name ...
Current attire[77]
Name Full pattern Notes
Army Combat Uniform Uses Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP). Airman Battle Uniform phased out April 2021[78]
Flight suit Pilots, air crews and missile crews wear olive green or desert tan one-piece flight suits made of Nomex for fire protection.
Physical Training Uniform Consists of shorts, T-shirt, jacket and pants.
Service dress uniform Consists of a three-button coat, similar to that of a men's "sport jacket" (with silver "U.S." pins on the lapels), matching trousers, and either a service cap or flight cap, all in Shade 1620, "Air Force Blue" (a darker purplish-blue). This is worn with a light blue shirt (Shade 1550) and Shade 1620 herringbone patterned necktie. Enlisted members wear sleeve insignia on both the jacket and shirt, while officers wear metal rank insignia pinned onto the coat, and Air Force Blue slide-on epaulet loops on the shirt.
Mess dress Consists of a dark blue mess jacket and matching trousers with antiqued silver buttons, miniature medals, blue bow-tie and cummerbund, and shoulder boards and silver wrist braids for officers. When wearing the blue tie and cummerbund, the uniform is considered equivalent to black-tie formal wear. For white-tie occasions, a white bow-tie and waistcoat are worn.
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Other equipment

See also

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References

Sources

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