United States Air Force

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the most technologically advanced and formidable air force in the world. Established in 1947, it serves as an integral branch of the U.S. military, responsible for providing air and space superiority. Its primary mission set includes tactical air support, strategic bombing, air defense, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.

Strategically, the USAF aims to establish and maintain control of air and space domains to ensure unimpeded access for U.S. military operations. This is critical for enabling the effective projection of American military power across global theaters. To achieve this, the Air Force relies on a broad range of assets, from state-of-the-art fighter jets like the F-35 Lightning II to remotely piloted drones such as the MQ-9 Reaper.

In recent years, the focus has shifted towards multi-domain operations, meaning seamless coordination across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. This transition is dictated by the evolving nature of modern warfare where control of one domain can profoundly impact the effectiveness of operations in another.

Moreover, the USAF plays a significant role in the U.S. nuclear triad, sharing responsibilities with the Navy for second-strike capabilities. It maintains a fleet of B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress bombers capable of delivering nuclear payloads, a sobering deterrent that aims to dissuade adversaries from contemplating a first-strike nuclear attack.

The service has also been increasing its focus on space as a potential domain of warfare, with the establishment of the U.S. Space Force as an independent service branch being a significant milestone. While the Space Force has taken over many responsibilities, the Air Force still plays a critical role in developing and deploying assets for space operations, including satellites and other technologies essential for communication, navigation, and ISR missions.

Challenges facing the USAF include the need adapt to new forms of warfare that include cyber and information operations, and managing limited resources in the face of broad and evolving global commitments. Given the rise of near-peer competitors like China and Russia, who are investing heavily in anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities, the USAF's role in establishing air and space superiority has never been more critical.

Key facts

Official Name	United States Air Force
Local Name	US Air Force
Country	🇺🇸 United States
World rank	#1
Active aircrafts	13300 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	3984
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Helicopters	5584
Combat aircrafts	2757
Training	2634
Transport	962
Special missions	731
Tankers	632

Aircrafts most used by United States air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
UH-60 Black Hawk	2912	American utility helicopter, renowned for service in Iraq and Afghanistan, extensively employed for troop transport and medical evacuation.
F-16 Fighting Falcon	936	American multirole fighter, famed in late Cold War conflicts, renowned for performance in precision daytime strikes and defensive counter air operations.
AH-64 Apache	824	American attack helicopter, developed during the Cold War, most famous for significant deployments in Gulf War and Afghanistan conflict.
T-6 Texan II	742	American turboprop trainer, widely deployed worldwide since the late 20th century for pilot instructing and light attack roles.
F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet	547	American multirole fighter, hailing from the late 20th century, extensively deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
CH-47 Chinook	513	American tandem rotor helicopter, synonymous with heavy-lift operations, crucial in conflicts including Vietnam and Afghanistan.
T-38 Talon	507	American supersonic jet trainer, active during the Cold War, deployed extensively for NASA astronaut training missions.
H145M / EC645	475	German utility helicopter, recognized for military application and primarily used for search and rescue, medical evacuation, and troop transportation.
F-35 Lightning II	472	American multirole stealth fighter, developed in the early 21st century, extensively deployed in global military operations.
C-130 Hercules	458	American military transport aircraft, known for significant roles in Vietnam War and Desert Storm, extensively used for various cargo missions.

Full inventory in 2024