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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.

Munitions

Name Type Versions Picture
Missiles
AGM-114 Air-to-surface
AGM-65 Air-to-surface
AGM-86 Air-to-surface cruise missile
AGM-88 Air-to-surface anti-radiation missile
AGM-154 Glide bomb
AGM-158 Air-to-surface cruise missile
AIM-7 Medium-range air-to-air missile
AIM-9 Short-range air-to-air missile
AIM-120 Medium-range air-to-air missile
LGM-30 Intercontinental ballistic missile
Bombs
B61 Thermonuclear bomb
B83 Thermonuclear bomb
BLU-109 Bunker buster
BLU-116 Bunker buster
CBU-87 Cluster bomb
CBU-89 Cluster bomb
CBU-97 Cluster bomb
GBU-10 Laser-guided bomb
GBU-12 Laser-guided bomb
GBU-15 Television guidance - Infrared homing
GBU-24 Laser-guided bomb
GBU-27 Laser-guided bomb
GBU-28 Laser-guided bomb
Mk-82 General-purpose bomb
Mk-84 General-purpose bomb

Weapons

Name Type Versions Picture Ammunition Used by
Mounted Weapons
GAU-8 Avenger Seven-barrelled Rotary cannon 30 mm A-10/OA-10 Thunderbolt II
GAU-22/A Four-barrelled Rotary cannon 25 mm F-35 Lightning II
M61 Six-barrelled Rotary cannon
20 mm F-15 Eagle
F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-22 Raptor
GAU-23/A Chain gun autocannon 30 mm AC-130
M102 Howitzer 105 mm AC-130
GAU-16 12.7 mm UH-1 Iroquois
GAU-17 Six-barrelled Minigun/Rotary machine gun
7.62 mm HH-60 Pave Hawk
UH-1 Iroquois
M240 Mounted
7.62 mm UH-1 Iroquois
Guns
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
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

Vehicles

Aircraft

See also: United States Air Force § Aircraft inventory
Aircraft Manufacturer Origin Propulsion Role Control Introduced/IOC Inventory Notes
A-10C Thunderbolt II Fairchild Republic USA Jet CAS / Attack Manned 2007 (A-10C) 261 The Air Force is seeking to divest 56 A-10s in FY2025.
A-29C Super Tucano Sierra Nevada Corporation Brazil Propeller CAS / Attack Manned 3 Delivered to Air Force Special Operations Command in 2021. Transferred to the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in 2024.
AC-130J Ghostrider Lockheed USA Propeller CAS / Attack Manned 2017 (AC-130J) 31 Final aircraft delivered in 2022.
B-1B Lancer Rockwell International USA Jet Bomber Manned 1986 45 Long-range conventional bomber. Employs variable-sweep wing design. To be replaced by the B-21 Raider around 2032. 9 to be divested in FY2027.
B-2A Spirit Northrop Grumman USA Jet Bomber Manned 1997 19 Stealth long-range nuclear-capable heavy bomber. To be replaced by the B-21 Raider around 2032. One aircraft to be divested in FY2025.
B-21 Raider Northrop Grumman USA Jet Bomber Optionally piloted 3 Stealth long-range nuclear-capable heavy bomber. The first B-21 test aircraft made its maiden flight in November 2023. To replace the B-2 Spirit and B-1 Lancer around 2032.
B-52H Stratofortress Boeing USA Jet Bomber Manned 1961 (B-52H) 76 Currently undergoing re-engining. Expected to serve into the 2050s.
C-5M Super Galaxy Lockheed USA Jet Strategic airlifter Manned 2014 (C-5M) 52
C-12C/D/F/J Huron Beechcraft USA Propeller Transport Manned c. 1974 29
C-130H Hercules Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Tactical airlifter Manned c. 1974 126 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. 6 to be divested in FY2025.
C-130J Super Hercules/J-30 Super Hercules Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Tactical airlifter Manned 2006 151
C-146A Wolfhound Fairchild-Dornier Germany Propeller Transport Manned c. 2011 20 Delivered 2011–2017. Flown with the 524th Special Operations Squadron
C-147A De Havilland Canada Canada Propeller Transport Manned For the U.S. Army Parachute Team
C-17A Globemaster III McDonnell Douglas/Boeing USA Jet Strategic airlifter Manned 1995 222 These were produced by McDonnell-Douglas prior to the merger with Boeing.
C-21A Learjet 35 Learjet USA Jet VIP transport Manned 1984 19
C-32A/B Air Force Two Boeing USA Jet VIP transport Manned 1998 4/2
C-37A/B Gulfstream V Gulfstream USA Jet VIP transport Manned 1998 9/7 VIP transport. 16 planned.
C-40B/C Boeing USA Jet VIP transport Manned 2003 4/7
CN-235 CASA Spain Propeller Reconnaissance Manned 1988 5 Flown with the 427th Special Operations Squadron
CV-22B Osprey Bell, Boeing USA Tiltrotor CSAR / transport Manned 2006 52 2 on order. Two aging CV-22Bs will be divested in FY2025 and be replaced with new aircraft.
E-3B/G Sentry (AWACS) Boeing USA Jet AWACS Manned 1977; 2014 (Block 40/45) 15 To be replaced by the E-7 Wedgetail
E-4B (NAOC) Boeing USA Jet Command and control Manned 1978 (E-4B) 4 Assigned to the 595th Command and Control Group. To be replaced by the Survivable Airborne Operations Center.
E-9A Widget De Havilland Canada Canada Propeller Surveillance Manned 1988 2 Military surveillance version of the DHC-8-100, used for missile range control
E-11A (BACN) Northrop Grumman USA / Canada Jet Command and control / BACN Manned c. 2011 5 2 aircraft to be divested in FY2025. Nine planned.
EA-37B Compass Call Gulfstream USA Jet Radar jamming / PSYOP Manned 2026 1 2 ordered Replacement for EC-130H Compass Call. 10 planned.
EC-130H Compass Call Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Radar jamming / PSYOP Manned 1983; Block 35, 2011 5 To be replaced by EA-37B Compass Call in FY2025.
EC-130J & Super-J Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Radar jamming / PSYOP Manned 2004 5 All Commando Solos retired. Super-Js to be replaced by MC-130s.
F-117 Nighthawk Lockheed USA Jet Aggressor aircraft/research and development Manned 1983 4 Although officially retired in 2008, the aircraft has been involved in various exercises beginning around 2020. The Air Force possesses 45 F-117s, some in flyable condition, As of 2023. The Air Force plans to operate the type through 2034.
F-15C/D Eagle McDonnell Douglas USA Jet Air superiority Manned 1979 (F-15C/D) 149 12 D variants are used for training. The Air Force is seeking to divest 65 F-15s in FY2025.
F-15E Strike Eagle McDonnell Douglas/Boeing USA Jet Multirole, primarily strike Manned 1989 218 The Air Force is seeking to divest 26 F-15Es with -220 engines in FY2025.
F-15EX Eagle II McDonnell Douglas/Boeing USA Jet Multirole, primarily strike Manned 2024 (planned) 8 F-15C/D Eagle replacement. 104 planned.
F-16C/D Fighting Falcon General Dynamics USA Jet Multirole Manned 1981 (Block 25-32); 1989 (Block 40/42); 1994 (Block 50/52) 762 The Air Force is seeking to divest 11 older F-16C/Ds in FY2025.
F-22A Raptor Lockheed Martin USA Jet Air superiority Manned 2005 183 Stealth capable aircraft. To be replaced by NGAD. The Air Force is seeking to divest 32 Block 20 F-22s in FY2025.
F-35A Lightning II Lockheed Martin USA Jet Multirole Manned 2016 302 7 on order 1,763 planned.
HC-130J Combat King II Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Search and rescue Manned 2013 39
HH-60G/U Pave Hawk Sikorsky USA Helicopter CSAR Manned 1982 64 To be replaced by the HH-60W Jolly Green II.The Air Force is seeking to divest 12 HH-60G in FY2025.
HH-60W Jolly Green II Sikorsky USA Helicopter CSAR Manned 2022 32 To replace the HH-60G/U Pave Hawk. 85 planned.
KC-135R/T Stratotanker Boeing USA Jet Aerial refueling Manned 1957 376 The Air Force is seeking to divest 16 KC-135R/T in FY2025.
KC-46A Pegasus Boeing USA Jet Aerial refueling Manned FY24 (planned) 77 179 planned.
LC-130H Hercules Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Cargo aircraft Manned c. 1984 10 Assigned to 109th Airlift Wing
MC-12W Liberty Beechcraft USA Propeller Multi-mission/Special Operations Manned 2009 36 USSOCOM and Air National Guard. To be replaced in USSOCOM by OA-1K Sky Warden
MC-130J Commando II Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Multi-mission/Special Operations Manned 2012 57 64 planned.
MH-139A Grey Wolf AgustaWestland Helicopter Utility Manned 2023 (planned) 7 6 test aircraft and 1 production aircraft have been delivered. 20 on order. 42 planned.
MQ-1B Predator General Atomics USA Propeller Multi-mission Unmanned 1
MQ-9A Reaper General Atomics USA Propeller Multi-mission Unmanned 2007, 2015 (ER) 102
BQM-167 Skeeter Composite Engineering Jet Target drone Unmanned 2008 37 Subscale aerial target. 800+ planned.
P-9A Pale Ale Bombardier Canada Propeller Maritime patrol Manned 4 Government-owned contractor-operated fleet tasked with monitoring drug trafficking.
QF-16A/C Boeing USA Jet Target drone Optionally piloted 2016 73 Conversion of an F-16 Fighting Falcon to full-scale aerial target. Final deliveries will take place 2024–2025. 126 planned.
RC-135S/U/V/W Cobra Ball/Combat Sent/Rivet Joint Boeing USA Jet Reconnaissance / ELINT / surveillance Manned 1972 25
RQ-170 Sentinel Lockheed Martin USA Jet Multi-Mission Unmanned 2007
RQ-20 Puma AeroVironment USA Propeller Patrol Unmanned 2008
RQ-4B Global Hawk Northrop Grumman USA Jet ISTAR Unmanned 2011 (Block 30), 2016 (Block 40) 9
Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft DZYNE Technologies USA Propeller Surveillance Unmanned c. 2024
T-1A Jayhawk Raytheon USA Jet Trainer Manned 1993 127 Multi-engine trainer. The Air Force is seeking to divest 22 T-1s in FY2025.
T-38A/C/AT-38B Talon Northrop USA Jet Trainer Manned 1961 495 To be replaced by the T-7A. The Air Force is seeking to divest 17 T-38A/Cs in FY2026.
T-41D Mescalero Cessna USA Propeller Basic trainer Manned 1964 4
T-51A Cessna Cessna USA Propeller Basic trainer Manned 1957 3
T-53A Kadet II Cirrus USA Propeller Basic trainer Manned 1995 24 USAFA flight training aircraft
T-6A Texan II Raytheon/Beechcraft USA Propeller Trainer Manned 2000 442
T-7 Red Hawk Boeing / Saab USA Jet Trainer Manned 2028 (planned) 2 Replacement for the T-38 Talon. The first five test aircraft will be production representative. 351 planned.
TC-135S/W Boeing USA Jet Trainer Manned 1961 3
TG-15A Glider Trainer Manned 2
TG-15B Glider Trainer Manned 3
TG-16A Glider Trainer Manned 19
TG-17A Glider Trainer Manned 1 MDM MDM-1 Fox donated to the 94th Flying Training Squadron.
TH-1H Iroquois Bell USA Helicopter Trainer Manned c. 2009 28 Light lift training helicopter To be replaced by the MH-139A.
TU-2S Dragon Lady Lockheed USA Jet Conversion trainer Manned 4 The Air Force is seeking to divest all U-2s and TU-2s in FY2026.
U-2S Dragon Lady Lockheed USA Jet Reconnaissance Manned c. 1981 (U-2R) 27 The Air Force plans to divest all U-2s and TU-2s in FY2026.
U-28A Draco/PC-12 Pilatus Switzerland Propeller Utility Manned 1991 30 U-28A/5 PC-12 PC-12 used for training. Used by SOCOM for reconnaissance. To be replaced in SOCOM by the OA-1K Sky Warden.
UH-1N Twin Huey/UH-1N Operational

Support Airlift

Bell USA Helicopter Utility Manned 1970 63 Light lift helicopter. To be replaced by the MH-139 Grey Wolf. The Air Force is seeking to divest 5 UH-1N and UH-1N OSA in FY2026.
UV-18B Twin Otter De Havilland Canada Canada Propeller Utility Manned 1988 3 USAFA parachute training aircraft
VC-25A Air Force One Boeing USA Jet VIP transport Manned 1990 2 Presidential Transport, operated by 89th Airlift Wing To be replaced by the VC-25B. The Air Force is seeking to divest the VC-25A in FY2028.
WC-130J Hercules Lockheed Martin USA Propeller Weather reconnaissance Manned 2006 10 Assigned to 403d Wing
WC-135R Constant Phoenix Boeing USA Jet Atmospheric research Manned 2022 (WC-135R) 3
X-62 VISTA General Dynamics USA Jet In-flight simulator Optionally piloted 1992 1 A highly modified version of the F-16D incorporating artificial intelligence used by the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School

Ground vehicles

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 ?

Attire

Main article: United States Air Force uniform
Current attire
Name Full pattern Notes
Army Combat Uniform Uses Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP). Airman Battle Uniform phased out April 2021
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.

Other equipment

See also

References

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  2. Church 2023, p. 122.
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Sources

United States Air Force
Leadership
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Major commands
Numbered Air Forces
Personnel and
training
Uniforms and
equipment
History and
traditions
Equipment of the United States Air Force
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systems
C2
Ground vehicle
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Gun
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