List of active United States Air Force aircraft

For a list of current aircraft in all branches of the United States Military, see List of active United States military aircraft.

Emblem of the USAF

The following is a list of currently active military aircraft in the United States Air Force.

Aircraft

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Variant	In service	Notes
Fighter aircraft (1,666)
F-15 Eagle	United States	air superiority	F-15C	108	108 F-15C total force as of September 2024 [1] 108 F-15C - Air National Guard
F-15E Strike Eagle	United States	multirole		218	218 F-15E total force as of September 2024 [2] 218 F-15E - Active
F-15EX Eagle II	United States	multirole		8	8 F-15EX total force as of September 2024 [3] 8 F-15EX - Active (program of record increased to 129 aircraft in June 2025) [4]
F-16 Fighting Falcon	United States	multirole	F-16C	657	657 F-16C total force as of September 2024 [5] 400 F-16C - Active 257 F-16C - Air National Guard
F-22 Raptor	United States	stealth air superiority	F-22A	185	185 F-22A total force as of September 2024 [6] 165 F-22A - Active 20 F-22A - Air National Guard
F-35 Lightning II	United States	stealth multirole	F-35A	443	443 F-35A total force as of September 2024 [7] (USAF Visual in May 2025 indicates 471 aircraft) [8] 400 F-35A - Active 43 - Air National Guard (program of record of 1,763 aircraft), between 161 and 189 aircraft on order [9]
Attack aircraft (249)
A-10 Thunderbolt II	United States	attack / CAS	A-10C	172	172 A-10C total force as of September 2024 [10] 141 A-10C - Active 31 A-10C - Air National Guard
AC-130 Ghostrider	United States	ground attack / CAS	AC-130J	30	30 AC-130J total force as of September 2024 [11] 30 AC-130J - Active
Bomber (124)
B-1 Lancer	United States	strategic bomber	B-1B	46	46 B-1B total force as of September 2024 [12] 46 B-1B - Active
B-2 Spirit	United States	stealth strategic bomber	B-2A	20	20 B-2A total force as of September 2024 [13] 18 B-2A - Active
B-52 Stratofortress	United States	strategic bomber	B-52H	58	58 B-52H total force as of September 2024 [14] 58 B-52H - Active
AWACS (26)
E-3 Sentry	United States	AWACS	E-3B/G	15	15 E-3B/G total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15] 19 E-3B/G operational (WAF 2025). [16]
E-4 Nightwatch	United States	command and control	E-4B	4	4 E-4B as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15] 4 E-4B operational (WAF 2025). [16]
E-9A Widget	Canada	SIGINT / ELINT	E-9A	2	2 E-9A as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15]
E-11A	Canada	command and control / BACN	E-11A	5	5 E-11A as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15] 6 E-11A operational, 4 on order (WAF 2025). [16]
Electronic Warfare (14)
EA-37B Compass Call	United States	SIGINT  /  PSYOP  / attack	EA-37B	3	3 EC-37B operational, 7 on order (WAF 2025). [16]
EC-130H Compass Call	United States	radar jamming / PSYOP		4	4 EC-130H as of September 204 (USAF Almanac) [17] 4 EC-130H operational (WAF 2025). [16]
EC-130 Commando Solo	United States	radar jamming / PSYOP	EC-130J	5	5 EC-130J as of September 2024 (USAF Almanac). [18] 0 EC-130J - Air National Guard as of September 20, 2024 [19]
Reconnaissance
IPTN CN-235	Spain/Indonesia	SIGINT / ELINT		5 [20]
MC-12W Liberty	United States	SIGINT / surveillance	W	40 [21]
OA-1K Sky Warden	United States	armed reconnaissance		3 [21]
P-9 Pale Ale	Canada	Maritime patrol	P-9A	4	4 P-9A total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15]
RC-135 Rivet Joint	United States	ELINT / surveillance	S/U/V/W	22 [20]	The breakdown is as follows: 1 RC-135S Cobra Ball, 2 RC-135U Combat Sent, 1 RC-135V Rivet Joint, 18 RC-135W Rivet Joint.
U-2 Dragon Lady	United States	high altitude reconnaissance	U-2S	27	27 U-2S as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15] 24 U-2S operational (WAF 2025). [16] Trainer aircraft listed separately.
U-28A Draco	Switzerland	ISR / SIGINT	U-28A	26 [20]	Special Operations Surveillance aircraft.
Tanker
KC-46 Pegasus	United States	aerial refueling	KC-46A	77	77 KC-46A total force as of September 2024 [22] 58 KC-46A - Active 19 KC-46A - Air National Guard
KC-135 Stratotanker	United States	aerial refueling	KC-135R/T	314	325 KC-135R / 51 KC-135T total force as of September 2024 [23] 123 KC-135R / 28 KC-135T - Active 140 KC-135R / 23 KC-135T - Air National Guard
HC-130J Super Hercules	United States	SAR / transport / tanker		39	39 total force as of September 2024 [24] 21 HC-130J - Active 12 HC-130J - Air National Guard 6 HC-130J - Reserve
MC-130J Commando II	United States	EW / transport / tanker		62	62 MC-130J total force as of September 2024 [25] 60 MC-130J - Active 2 MC-130J - Air National Guard
Transport
C-5 Galaxy	United States	strategic airlifter	C-5M	52 [20]
C-12 Huron	United States	utility / transport		23 [20]
C-12J	United States	transport	C-12J	3 [20]
C-17 Globemaster III	United States	strategic airlifter		196	222 C-17A total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15] 146 C-17A - Active 50 C-17A - Air National Guard 196 C-17A operational (WAF 2025). [16]
C-21A	United States	VIP transport	C-21A	19 [20]
C-32	United States	VIP transport		4 [20]
C-37A/B	United States	VIP transport	C-37A C-37B	13 [26]	The breakdown is 12 C-37As and one C-37B (based on the Gulfstream G550).
C-40 Clipper	United States	VIP transport	C-40B/C	12 [27]	The breakdown is four C-40Bs and seven C-40Cs.
C-130 Hercules	United States	transport	C-130H	91	91 C-130H total force as of September 2024 [28] 0 C-130H - Active 91 C-130H - Air National Guard
C-130J Super Hercules	United States	tactical airlifter	C-130J	142	142 C-130J total force as of September 2024 [29] 102 C-130J - Active 40 C-130J - Air National Guard (program of record for 198 aircraft)
C-146 Wolfhound	Germany	transport	C-146A	20 [20]
U-27A Caravan	United States	transport / utility		2 [20]
UV-18B Twin Otter	Canada	utility transport		3 [21]	STOL capable aircraft.It is primarily used as a training aircraft for parachute troops at the military academy.
VC-25	United States	Presidential transport		2 [27]
Helicopter
HH-60G Pave Hawk	United States	CSAR	HH-60G	24	24 HH-60W total force as of September 2024 [30] 8 HH-60G - Active 16 HH-60G - Air National Guard
HH-60W Pave Hawk	United States	CSAR	HH-60GW	47	47 HH-60W total force as of September 2024 [31] 32 HH-60W - Active 15 HH-60W - Air National Guard
MH-139 Grey Wolf	Italy	utility	MH-139	8	8 MH-139 total force as of September 2024 [32] 8 MH-139 - Active (Maximum order volume of 79 aircraft)
UH-1N Iroquois	United States	utility		63	63 UH-1N total force as of September 2024 [33]
V-22 Osprey	United States	CSAR	CV-22B	52	52 CV-22B total force as of September 2024 [34] 52 CV-22B - Active
Trainers
A-29 Super Tucano	Brazil	assessment trainer	A-29C	3 [20]
F-117 Nighthawk	United States	trainer		4 [20]	stealth OPFOR trainer
F-16 Fighting Falcon	United States	trainer	F-16D	134	136 F-16D total force as of September 2024 [35] 98 F-16D - Active 36 F-16D - Air National Guard
F-15 Eagle	United States	trainer	F-15D	24	12 F-15D total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15] 1 F-15D - Active 11 F-15D - Air National Guard 17 F-15D operational (WAF 2025). [16]
G120TP	Germany	basic trainer		2 [20]	contracted by JPAG Aviation
T-1A Jayhawk	United States	multi-engine trainer	T-1A	127	127 T-1A total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15] 98 T-6A operational (WAF 2025). [16]
T-6 Texan II	United States	advanced trainer	T-6A	442	442 T-6A total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15] 442 T-6A operational (WAF 2025). [16]
T-7 Red Hawk	United States	advanced trainer	T-7A	351 units (maximum number of units planned for deployment)	Of these, one unit is deployed and the remaining 350 units are on order. [20]
T-38 Talon	United States	jet trainer	T-38A/C AT-38B	495	495 T-38A / T-38C / AT-38B total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15] 52 T-38A / 6 AT-38B / 437 T-38C - Active 485 C-17A operational (WAF 2025). [16]
T-41 Mescalero	United States	basic trainer	T-41D	4	4 total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15]
Cessna T-51	United States	basic trainer	T-51A	3	3 total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15]
T-53A Kadet II	United States	basic trainer	T-53A	24	24 T-53A total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15] 25 T-53A operational (WAF 2025). [16]
TC-135 Stratolifter	United States	multi-engine trainer	TC-135W	3	3 TC-135W total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15] 3 TC-135W operational (WAF 2025). [16]
TH-1 Iroquois	United States	rotorcraft trainer	UH-1H	28	28 UH-1H total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15] 39 T-53A operational (WAF 2025). [16]
TU-2 Dragon Lady	United States	high altitude reconnaissance trainer	TU-2S	4	4 TU-2S total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15] 3 TU-2S operational (WAF 2025). [16]
UAV
MQ-9 Reaper	United States	multi-mission	MQ-9A	230	230 MQ-9A total force as of September 2024 [36] 206 MQ-9A - Active 24 MQ-9A - Air National Guard
RQ-4 Global Hawk	United States	ISTAR / SIGINT	RQ-4B	9	9 RQ-4B total force as of September 2023 (USAF Almanac). [15]
RQ-11 Raven	United States	ISR	RQ-11B	3,000 [37]
RQ-20 Puma	United States	ISR	RQ-20B	60 [38]	Puma 3 AE variant is on order [39] [40]
RQ-170 Sentinel	United States	ISTAR / SIGINT		20 [41] [42]

Images

• 
  An A-10 Thunderbolt II in 2011. The attack aircraft is used for close air support
• 
  An AC-130J of the 4th Special Operations Squadron flies over Kansas in 2023.
• 
  An F-15C Eagle flies over Japan in 2019
• 
  An F-15EX from the 40th Test Flight Squadron flies over Florida in 2023
• 
  An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 494th Fighter Squadron
• 
  An F-16C over Iraq in 2008
• 
  An F-22A Raptor flies over Andrews Air Force Base during an airshow in 2008
• 
  An F-35A in flight
• 
  A USAF B-52 bomber
• 
  A B-1B in flight over Afghanistan
• 
  A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flies over the Pacific Ocean
• 
  An E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft
• 
  One of 4 E-4B Nightwatch airborne command posts
• 
  A new E-11 aircraft being rolled out in 2018
• 
  A C-146A Wolfhound taking off
• 
  A KC-10 Extender with the 76th Air Refueling Squadron
• 
  A C-17A Globemaster III taking off from Ramstein Air Base
• 
  A VC-25 Air Force One with landing gear down
• 
  The MH-139A Grey Wolf replacement for the Bell UH-1N
• 
  A CV-22 Osprey over RIAT in 2015
• 
  A T-38 Talon over Edwards AFB
• 
  An MQ-9 Reaper flies over Southern Afghanistan, 2008

See also

• Future military aircraft of the United States
• List of military aircraft of the United States
• List of U.S. DoD aircraft designations
• List of currently active United States naval aircraft
• List of United States Air Force squadrons
• List of active U.S. Air Force aircraft squadrons
• UAVs in the U.S. military

References

1. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
2. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
3. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
4. Rogoway, Tyler (2025-06-26). "F-15EX Planned Fleet Size Grows To 129 Jets". The War Zone. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
5. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
6. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
7. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
8. Trevithick, Joseph (2025-06-30). "Plans To Finally Give F-35 External Fuel Tanks Emerge In New Air Force Budget". The War Zone. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
9. Martin, Lockheed. "United States". www.f35.com. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
10. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
11. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
12. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
13. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
14. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
15. "2024 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
16. Embraer, In association with. "2025 World Air Forces directory". Flight Global. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
17. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
18. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
19. ang.af.mil - 193rd SOW Bids Farewell to EC-130J (Sept. 20, 2024) - "Airmen from the 193rd Special Operations Wing bid farewell to the last EC-130J aircraft as they embark on their final flight from Middletown, Pennsylvania, Sept. 18, 2024."
20. Embraer, In association with. "2024 World Air Forces directory". Flight Global. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
21. "World Air Forces 2023". Flight Global. Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
22. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
23. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
24. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
25. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
26. "C-37A/B". Air Force. www.af.mil. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
27. "C-40B/C". Air Force. www.af.mil. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
28. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
29. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
30. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
31. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
32. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
33. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
34. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
35. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
36. "2025 USAF & USSF Almanac: Equipment". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
37. "RQ-11B Raven Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV)". airforce-technology.com. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
38. "Unclassified - Exhibit P-40, Budget Line Item Justification: PB 2020 Air Force" (PDF). dacis.com. February 2019. p. 2. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
39. Order announced July 2021. Number of units to be determined, order for Puma 3 AEs, Ravens and spares, totalling USD$15.9 million.
40. "AeroVironment Receives Puma 3 AE and Raven Unmanned Aircraft System Orders Totaling $15.9 Million from United States Air Force". businesswire.com. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
41. "Declassified Docs Offer New Details About A Growing RQ-170 "Wraith" Force". thedrive.com. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
42. "Introducing the RQ-170 Wraith". medium.com. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2022.

Bibliography

• 2024 World Air Forces (Report). Flight Global. 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2024.