As a basic pillar of any Western air force, attaining and maintaining air superiority has been a priority in U.S. military doctrine. The Pentagon has invested billions of dollars in developing advanced airframes across all services, and the United States has benefited from air superiority over adversaries for decades.
While countries like China and Russia have improved their air forces in recent years, the Air Force and Navy of the United States continue to operate the best aircraft in the world.
Here are the Top 5 Best American Warplanes
The F-22 Raptor
The F-22 Raptor is the most cutting-edge aircraft currently in service and the first of its type. The Raptor was the first combat aircraft in service to include a blend of stealth, super-maneuverability, supercruise, and sensors. In 1997, the infamous Air Force fighter made its first flight with the service and continued to amaze aviation fans more than two decades later.
The Raptor’s twin thrust-vectoring F119 turbofan engines and tiny radar cross-sections are its greatest strengths. The Raptor can outperform any other fighter in a duel thanks to its thrust vectoring capability, which reroutes the flow of energy that enables the airframe to do its signature tricks.
Armament-wise, the F-22 can carry two AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles in its twin internal side weapons bays, plus six AIM-120 AMRAAM or 2 AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided air-to-air missiles and two GBU-32 JDAM rounds in its center weapons bay.
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
America’s new fifth-generation fighter, the F-35 Lightning II, is arguably the world’s most coveted tactical aircraft. Foreign militaries yearn to get their hands on this formidable and stealthy fighter embodying the functions of three aircraft on a single platform.
The original intention behind the “Joint Strike Fighter” was to replace the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier of the United States Marine Corps, the F/A-18 of the United States Navy, and the A-10 and F-16 of the United States Air Force. This adaptable fighter can perform both conventional takeoffs and landings as well as carrier landings, depending on the type.
The Lightning II’s “beast mode” is its most recognizable feature. The fighter can essentially transform into a “bomb truck” by loading ammo onto its exterior weapons pylons. However, switching to beast mode reduces the aircraft’s stealth capabilities. The F-35 can only carry the internal armaments it can protect with its stealthy airframe when it is in stealth mode.
In beast mode, however, the F-35 can carry up to 22,000 pounds of armaments, which is nearly four times as much as it can carry in stealth mode. Although a relatively young fighter, the Lightning II has shown surprising popularity around the world, with over 900 units exported so far.
The B-2 Spirit
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber may be nearly 30 years old, but it is still a formidable strategic asset. Even if the newer and more modern B-21 Raider will eventually replace its aging airframe, this plane is still the deadliest bomber in the world right now.
Since its entry into service during the Cold War, the B-2 has proven itself in numerous combat operations in places ranging from Libya and Kosovo to Iraq and Afghanistan. Spirit was designed to penetrate air defenses and remains the only recognized platform capable of carrying large-range air-to-surface weapons in a stealthy configuration.
According to the Air Force, the combination of Spirit’s low-visibility technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and increased payload gives the airframe a significant advantage over other similar bombers.
The B-2’s stealthiness comes from emitting weaker infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual, and radar signatures than other aircraft. This makes it hard for high-tech defenses to find, follow, and attack the B-2.
However, the B-2’s composite materials, its special coatings, and the design of its flying wings all contribute to its stealth.”
The B-21 Raider
Earlier this month, during the Air and Space Forces Combat Symposium 2023 in Colorado, the Air Force unveiled two photographs of the new B-21 Raider. The U.S. military expects the Raider, the first part of a $1 trillion revamp of American nuclear deterrence, to improve its air superiority significantly.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has called the platform’s ability to carry both conventional and nuclear missiles a “distinctive edge” that will persist for decades. Northrop Grumman designed the platform. The Raider will serve a similar purpose to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter by acting as an “airborne data center.” The B-21 Raider’s design and function are still largely shrouded in mystery.
The B-52 Stratofortress
Despite being in service for almost 70 years, the B-52 bomber is still the workhorse of the United States Air Force’s bomber fleet. Including the B-21 Raider won’t diminish the Stratofortress’ ability to intimidate China and other U.S. foes.
The bomber has an honorable record, operating during the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Gulf War II, and Afghanistan. The current B-52 can fly almost 9,000 miles before having to refuel. In addition to its nuclear launch capability, the platform can launch cruise missiles on its feet. This ancient platform is expected to take to the skies in the 2050s.
As US-China tensions soar, prospects for a future kinetic conflict are rising. U.S. aircraft possess a range of unique and sophisticated capabilities; however, Beijing has rapidly modernized its Air Force over the past decade.
The importance of the United States’ next generation of aircraft has increased as it is no longer the lone builder of fifth-generation airframes.
