United States Military Forces 🇺🇸
United States Military Strength Overview
🛩️ Air Force | 13,043 active aircrafts |
⚓️ Naval forces |
471 ships in fleet
– incl. 69 submarines and 11 aircraft carriers |
☢️ Nuclear Arsenal | 5277 warheads
– incl. 1770 deployed |
🪖 Active Troops | 1,326,050 personnels |
⛑️ Reserve Troops | 806,700 personnels |
🗺️ Air bases | 201 active air bases |
🎖️ Military ranks | 94 ranks listed |
Defense Statistics & Key Metrics
Population | 334.9 million (2023) |
GDP | $27.7 trillion (2023) |
GDP per capita | $82769 (2023) |
Military Budget | $997.3 billion (2024) |
Share of GDP in Milex | 3.4% (2024) |
Share of Govt Expenditures | 9.1% (2024) |
Military spends per capita | $2895 (2024) |
Inflation Rate | 2.95% (2024) |
Military Personnel | 1,395,000 (2020) |
Strategic Overview in 2025
The United States military remains the world's foremost fighting force, distinguished by its unparalleled budgetary resources, global power projection capabilities, and extensive network of alliances. With a defense budget that surpasses that of any other nation, the U.S. sustains a vast and technologically advanced military establishment. Its global presence is underwritten by approximately 800 overseas military bases, enabling it to influence events and respond to crises worldwide. However, this primacy is increasingly contested by revisionist powers, notably China and Russia, leading to a strategic environment of renewed great power competition. The official U.S. National Defense Strategy (NDS) has identified China as the "pacing challenge," reflecting a major shift in strategic priorities towards the Indo-Pacific region.
Military Forces and Manpower
The U.S. Armed Forces are composed of six branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. As of 2024, the total active-duty force consists of approximately 1.3 million personnel, supplemented by roughly 800,000 in reserve components. The Army is the largest service by personnel, with over 443,000 active-duty soldiers. Despite its overall size and strength, the military has faced recruitment challenges that have led to a modest decrease in the total force size in recent years. The all-volunteer force is comprised of a highly trained and professional cadre of service members, though maintaining readiness across all domains presents an ongoing challenge.
Equipment, Technology, and Industry
Technological superiority is a cornerstone of U.S. military strategy. The armed forces are equipped with advanced and sophisticated weaponry, including a large fleet of aircraft carriers, stealth bombers, and nuclear-powered submarines. There is a significant strategic push towards developing and integrating next-generation capabilities. Key areas of focus include artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and cyber warfare capabilities. The U.S. defense industrial base, a sprawling network of private contractors and government facilities, fuels this technological edge. While this industrial base is a source of immense innovation, it has also faced scrutiny for cost overruns and production delays, and has become increasingly consolidated with a small number of prime contractors dominating the sector.
Current and Foreseeable Strategic Trends
The foremost strategic trend for the U.S. military is the long-term competition with China, which informs force posture, research and development, and operational concepts. Russia's military actions in Europe have also reinforced the need for a credible deterrent on the continent and underscored the importance of the NATO alliance. Future defense planning is also shaped by the need to counter threats from nations like North Korea and Iran, and to conduct counter-terrorism operations. The domains of space and cyberspace are now considered critical warfighting domains, with significant investment in the newly formed Space Force and U.S. Cyber Command. A persistent challenge is the strategic debate over the size and structure of the force, with some analyses suggesting the U.S. may not be adequately sized to handle more than one major regional conflict simultaneously.
United States Military Budget History
Population and Military Personnel Trends
GDP and Inflation Rate Trends
United States Aircraft Manufacturing
Model | Manufacturer | Year | Number |
---|---|---|---|
Cessna 340 | Cessna | 1970 | 1351 |
Cessna 402 | Cessna | 1965 | 2 |
Enstrom 480 | Enstrom | 1989 | 142 |
Commander 500 | Aero | 1948 | 2902 |
707 | Boeing | 1954 | 865 |
727 | Boeing | 1963 | 1832 |
737 | Boeing | 1967 | 11535 |
747 | Boeing | 1969 | 1574 |
757 | Boeing | 1982 | 1050 |
767 | Boeing | 1981 | 1288 |
206 JetRanger | Bell | 1966 | 7300 |
208 Caravan | Cessna | 1982 | 3000 |
404 Titan | Cessna | 1975 | 396 |
421 Golden Eagle | Cessna | 1965 | 1916 |
429 GlobalRanger | Bell | 2007 | 325 |
441 Conquest II | Cessna | 1975 | 362 |
500 Citation I | Cessna | 1969 | 689 |
505 Jet Ranger X | Bell | 2014 | 360 |
A-10 Thunderbolt II | Fairchild Republic | 1972 | 716 |
A-37 Dragonfly | Cessna | 1964 | 577 |
A-4 Skyhawk | McDonnell Douglas | 1954 | 2960 |
A-5 Vigilante | North American | 1958 | 167 |
A-6 Intruder | Grumman | 1960 | 693 |
A-7 Corsair II | Vought | 1965 | 1545 |
AC-130 | Lockheed Martin | 1967 | 21 |
AH-1 Cobra | Bell | 1965 | 1116 |
AH-6 Little Bird | Boeing | 1963 | 1420 |
AH-64 Apache | Boeing | 1975 | 2400 |
AT-500 | Air Tractor | 1986 | 470 |
AT-802 | Air Tractor | 1990 | 28 |
AV-8B Harrier II | McDonnell Douglas/BAe | 1971 | 337 |
AW609 | AgustaWestland | 2003 | |
B-1A | Rockwell | 1974 | 104 |
B-1B Lancer | Rockwell | 1983 | 104 |
B-2 Spirit | Northrop | 1989 | 21 |
B-21 Raider | Northrop Grumman | 2023 | 3 |
B-36 Peacemaker | Convair | 1946 | 384 |
B-47 Stratojet | Boeing | 1947 | 2042 |
B-52 Stratofortress | Boeing | 1952 | 744 |
B-58 Hustler | Convair | 1956 | 116 |
Beechcraft 1900 Beechliner | Beechcraft | 1982 | 695 |
Beechcraft 390 Premier I | Beechcraft | 1998 | 292 |
Beechcraft Baron | Beechcraft | 1960 | 6884 |
Bell 430 | Bell | 1994 | 136 |
C-130 Hercules | Lockheed | 1954 | 2500 |
C-141 Starlifter | Lockheed | 1963 | 285 |
C-17 Globemaster III | McDonnell Douglas | 1991 | 279 |
C-2 Greyhound | Northrop Grumman | 1964 | 56 |
C-32 | Boeing | 1998 | 6 |
C-5 Galaxy | Lockheed | 1968 | 131 |
CH-46 Sea Knight | Boeing/Vertol | 1958 | 524 |
CH-47 Chinook | Boeing | 1961 | 1200 |
CH-53 Sea Stallion | Sikorsky | 1964 | 284 |
DC-10 | McDonnell Douglas | 1970 | 386 |
DC-3 | Douglas | 1941 | 10174 |
E-2 Hawkeye | Grumman | 1960 | 313 |
E-3 Sentry AWACS | Boeing | 1972 | 68 |
E-4 NOAC | Boeing | 1980 | 4 |
E-6 Mercury TACAMO | Boeing | 1987 | 16 |
E-8 Joint STARS | Boeing/Northrop Grumman | 1994 | 17 |
EA-6B Prowler | Grumman | 1968 | 170 |
EC-130 Commando Solo | Lockheed Martin | 1957 | 14 |
EC-135 / EC-18 ARIA | Boeing | 1961 | 45 |
EF-111 Raven | General Dynamics/Grumman | 1977 | 42 |
F-100 Super Sabre | North American | 1953 | 2294 |
F-101 Voodoo | McDonnell Douglas | 1954 | 807 |
F-102 Delta Dagger | Convair | 1954 | 1000 |
F-104 Starfighter | Lockheed | 1954 | 2578 |
F-105 Thunderchief | Republic | 1955 | 833 |
F-111 Aardvark | General Dynamics | 1964 | 563 |
F-117 Nighthawk | Lockheed | 1981 | 64 |
F-14 Tomcat | Grumman | 1970 | 712 |
F-15 Eagle | McDonnell Douglas | 1972 | 1198 |
F-15E Strike Eagle | McDonnell Douglas | 1986 | 525 |
F-16 Fighting Falcon | General Dynamics | 1974 | 4604 |
F-22 Raptor | Lockheed Martin | 1997 | 195 |
F-28 | Enstrom | 1960 | 32 |
F-35 Lightning II | Lockheed Martin | 2006 | 965 |
F-4 Phantom II | McDonnell | 1958 | 5195 |
F-5 Freedom Fighter | Northrop | 1959 | 1204 |
F-5E Tiger II | Northrop | 1972 | 1399 |
F-8 Crusader | Vought | 1955 | 1219 |
F-84 Thunderjet | Republic | 1946 | 7524 |
F-84F Thunderstreak | Republic | 1950 | 3428 |
F-86 Sabre | North American | 1947 | 9860 |
F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet | Boeing | 1995 | 632 |
F/A-18 Hornet | McDonnell Douglas | 1978 | 1480 |
Gulfstream G100 | Gulfstream | 1984 | 265 |
Gulfstream G550 | Gulfstream | 2003 | 600 |
Gulfstream II | Gulfstream | 1966 | 256 |
Gulfstream III | Gulfstream | 1979 | 202 |
Gulfstream IV | Gulfstream | 1985 | 900 |
Gulfstream V | Gulfstream | 1995 | 193 |
Hawker 400 | Beechcraft | 1978 | 951 |
Hawker 800 | Hawker Beechcraft | 1983 | 650 |
KC-130 Hercules | Lockheed Martin | 1960 | 124 |
KC-135 Stratotanker | Boeing | 1956 | 803 |
King Air 90 | Beechcraft | 1964 | 3100 |
Kodiak | Quest | 2004 | 300 |
MD-500 | Hughes | 1982 | 4700 |
MD-900 | MD Helicopters | 1992 | 5 |
Metroliner | Fairchild Swearingen | 1969 | 600 |
MQ-1 Predator | General Atomics | 1994 | 360 |
MQ-4 Triton | Northrop Grumman | 2013 | 30 |
MQ-8 Fire Scout | Northrop Grumman | 2002 | 40 |
MQ-9 Reaper | General Atomics | 2001 | 300 |
OV-10 Bronco | North American | 1965 | 360 |
P-3 Orion | Lockheed | 1958 | 757 |
PA-31 Navajo | Piper | 1964 | 3942 |
PA-32 Cherokee Six | Piper | 1960 | 7842 |
PA-34 Seneca | Piper | 1967 | 5037 |
PA-44 Seminole | Piper | 1976 | 926 |
R-4 | Sikorsky | 1942 | 131 |
R22 | Robinson | 1975 | 4600 |
R44 Raven | Robinson | 1990 | 6331 |
RC-135 Rivet Joint | Boeing | 1972 | 32 |
RQ-11 Raven | AeroVironment | 2000 | 19000 |
RQ-170 Sentinel | Lockheed Martin | 2005 | |
RQ-20 Puma | AeroVironment | 2007 | 1000 |
RQ-4 Global Hawk | Northrop Grumman | 1998 | 40 |
RQ-7 Shadow | AAI Corporation | 1991 | 500 |
S-2 Tracker | Grumman | 1952 | 1284 |
S-3 Viking | Lockheed | 1972 | 188 |
S-76 Spirit | Sikorsky | 1977 | 875 |
S-92 Superhawk | Sikorsky | 1998 | 300 |
ScanEagle | Boeing Insitu | 2000 | 1000 |
SH-2 Seasprite | Kaman | 1959 | 184 |
SH-3 Sea King | Sikorsky | 1959 | 1300 |
SR-20 | Cirrus | 1995 | 1459 |
SR-71 Blackbird | Lockheed | 1964 | 32 |
T-2 Buckeye | North American | 1958 | 529 |
T-34 Mentor | Beechcraft | 1948 | 2300 |
T-37 Tweet | Cessna | 1954 | 1269 |
T-38 Talon | Northrop | 1959 | 1189 |
T-45 Goshawk | McDonnell Douglas/BAe | 1988 | 221 |
T-6 Texan II | Beechcraft | 1992 | 850 |
T-7 Red Hawk | Boeing-Saab | 2016 | 2 |
TH-55 Osage | Hughes | 1956 | 2800 |
U-2 Dragon Lady | Lockheed | 1955 | 104 |
UH-1 Iroquois "Huey" | Bell | 1956 | 16000 |
UH-60 Black Hawk | Sikorsky | 1974 | 5000 |
V-22 Osprey | Bell/Boeing | 1989 | 400 |
VC-25 "Air Force One" | Boeing | 1989 | 2 |
VH-60 White Hawk | Sikorsky | 1974 | 9 |
X-31 EFM Vector | Rockwell/MBB | 1990 | 2 |
YF-23 Black Widow II | Northrop McDonnell Douglas | 1990 | 2 |
United States Missile Systems
United States Naval Shipbuilding
Class | Type |
---|---|
35M FPV | Fast Patrol Craft |
Arleigh Burke | AEGIS missile destroyer |
Austin | Landing craft transport |
Avenger | Mine countermeasures ship |
Bainbridge | Nuclear squadron missile cruiser |
Belknap | Squadron missile cruiser |
Benjamin Franklin | Nuclear ballistic missile submarine |
Blue Ridge | Command ship |
Bronstein | ASM frigate |
Brooke | Missile frigate |
California | Nuclear squadron missile cruiser |
Charles F. Adams | Missile destroyer |
Constellation | Guided-missile frigate |
Cyclone | Coastal patrol vessel |
Enterprise | Nuclear-powered fleet carrier |
Ethan Allen | Nuclear ballistic missile submarine |
Farragut | Missile destroyer |
Garcia | ASM frigate |
Forrest Sherman | ASM destroyer |
Forrestal | Fleet carrier |
Freedom | Littoral combat ship |
George H. W. Bush | Nuclear-powered fleet carrier |
George Washington | Nuclear ballistic missile submarine |
Gerald R. Ford | Nuclear-powered fleet carrier |
Glenard P. Lipscomb | Nuclear attack submarine |
Halibut | Nuclear missile submarine |
Hamilton | High Endurance Cutter |
Harpers Ferry | Dock landing ship |
Independence | Littoral combat ship |
Iwo Jima | Assault helicopter carrier |
James Madison | Nuclear ballistic missile submarine |
Kee Lung | Guided-missile destroyer |
Kidd | Missile destroyer |
Kitty Hawk | Fleet carrier |
FF-1052 Knox | ASM frigate |
Lafayette | Nuclear ballistic missile submarine |
Landing Craft Air Cushion | Air cushioned landing craft |
Leahy | Squadron missile cruiser |
Legend | National Security Cutter |
Wasp | Assault helicopter carrier |
Long Beach | Nuclear squadron missile cruiser |
Los Angeles | Nuclear attack submarine |
Narwhal | Nuclear attack submarine |
Newport | Tank landing ship |
Nimitz | Nuclear-powered fleet carrier |
Ohio | Nuclear missile submarine |
Oliver Hazard Perry | Multi-role guided-missile frigate |
Permit | Nuclear attack submarine |
Pohjanmaa | Ocean capable minelayer and training ship |
DD-963 Spruance | ASM destroyer |
Reliance | Medium Endurance Cutter |
Runnymede | Landing Craft Utility |
San Antonio | Landing craft transport |
Seawolf | Nuclear attack submarine |
Sentinel | Fast Response Cutter |
Skipjack | Nuclear attack submarine |
Sturgeon | Nuclear attack submarine |
LHA-1 Tarawa | Assault helicopter carrier |
Thomaston | Dock landing ship |
Thresher | Nuclear attack submarine |
Ticonderoga | AEGIS squadron missile cruiser |
Truxtun | Nuclear squadron missile cruiser |
Virginia | Nuclear attack submarine |
Virginia | Nuclear squadron missile cruiser |
Whidbey Island | Landing craft transport |
Zumwalt | Land attack missile destroyer |
United States Military Vehicles
Model | Type |
---|---|
M50 Ontos | Tank Destroyer |
Stingray | Light Support Tank |
M103 | Heavy Main Battle Tank |
M46 Patton | Medium Main Battle Tank |
M60A3 TTS Patton | Heavy Main Battle Tank |
M48A5 Patton | Medium Main Battle Tank |
M47 Patton | Medium Main Battle Tank |
M113 | Armored Personnel Carrier |
M2 / M3 Bradley | Infantry Fighting Vehicle |
M1A1 Abrams | Heavy Main Battle Tank |
M1 Abrams | Heavy Main Battle Tank |
Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) | Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier |
IAV Stryker | 8x8 Armored Personnel Carrier |
M41 Walker Bulldog | Light Main Battle Tank |
M270 MLRS | Multiple Rocket Launcher System |
T28 Heavy Tank Destroyer | Heavy Tank Destroyer |
LAV-150 | Light Reconnaissance Tank |
M24 Chaffee | Light Main Battle Tank |
M4 Sherman | Medium Main Battle Tank |
M10 Wolverine | Tank Destroyer |
M18 Hellcat | Tank Destroyer |
M36 Jackson | Tank Destroyer |
M6 Heavy Tank | Heavy Main Battle Tank |
T29 Super Heavy Tank | Heavy Main Battle Tank |
T30 Super Heavy Tank | Heavy Main Battle Tank |
AAV7/LVTP7 Amtrac | Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier |
M26 Pershing | Heavy Main Battle Tank |
M551 Sheridan | Light Reconnaissance Tank |
M8 Greyhound | Reconnaissance Armored Vehicle |
United States Firearms Development
Model | Category |
---|---|
Barrett M90 / M95 | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
BFG-50 | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
M500 / M600 / M650 Ramo | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
Barrett M99 | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
Barrett XM500 | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
Barrett M107 | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
Barrett M82 | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
BA50 / FA50 | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
Grizzly .50 Big Boar | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
Barrett XM109 | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
Windrunner M96 | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
Windrunner Semi-auto .50 | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
AR50 | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
AR18 | Assault rifle |
XCR | Assault rifle |
Mini-14 | Assault rifle |
ACR Bushmaster | Assault rifle |
M4 / M15 | Assault rifle |
M15A4 | Assault rifle |
LR-300 | Assault rifle |
Barrett M468 | Assault rifle |
SIG-556 | Assault rifle |
Ruger SR-556 | Assault rifle |
M96 ER | Assault rifle |
M16A1 | Assault rifle |
TPD AXR | Bullpup assault rifle |
M17 Bushmaster | Bullpup assault rifle |
Pancor Jackhammer | Combat shotgun |
AA-12 Atchisson Assault Shotgun | Combat shotgun |
Shrike | Light machine gun |
Mk-48 LMG | Light machine gun |
M60 GPMG | Light machine gun |
Browning M1919 | Light machine gun |
XM214 Microgun | Machine gun |
XM806 'LW50' | Machine gun |
M312 .50 | Machine gun |
XM307 ACSW | Machine gun |
M134 Minigun / GAU-2 | Machine gun |
M2 HB | Machine gun |
GECAL 50 / GAU-19 | Machine gun |
Colt M1911 | Semi-automatic pistol |
PLR-16 | Semi-automatic pistol |
Remington 700 | Sniper rifle |
M40 | Sniper rifle |
Mk-12 SPR | Sniper rifle |
SAM-R | Sniper rifle |
AR10 | Sniper rifle |
SR-25 | Sniper rifle |
Windrunner M-06 | Sniper rifle |
RFB Target | Sniper rifle |
AWC G2 | Sniper rifle |
M14 / M21 DMR | Sniper rifle |
AR30 | Sniper rifle |
M24 | Sniper rifle |
Stealth Recon Scout | Sniper rifle |
RAI / RAP | Sniper rifle |
Barrett 98 Bravo | Sniper rifle |
Barrett M98 | Sniper rifle |
M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle | Sniper rifle |
Cheytac Intervention M200 / M310 | Sniper rifle |
KAC PDW | Submachine gun |
Calico SMG | Submachine gun |
Carbon 15 | Submachine gun |
Kriss Vector | Submachine gun |
Folding Machine Gun | Submachine gun |
Colt CAR-15 | Submachine gun |
Colt Mod. 635 | Submachine gun |
MAC M10 / M11 | Submachine gun |
MP9 | Submachine gun |
Military Expenditure: SIPRI Milex.