Aircraft

Avoiding midair collisions is everyone's responsibility. With proper flight planning software, midair collisions can be avoided. With the vast variety of military aircraft in the skies, flight safety and midair collision avoidance is an even bigger challenge. Click on the images below to see each aircraft's mission.

RQ-4A Global Hawk The Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle provides Air Force and joint battlefield commanders near-real-time, high-resolution, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance imagery. In the last year, the Global Hawk provided Air Force and joint warfigh...	A-10/OA-10 ThunderBolt II The A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and ...
AC-130H/U Gunship The AC-130 gunship's primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and force protection. Missions in close air support are troops in contact, convoy escort and urban operations. Air interdiction missions are conducted against preplanned ta...	AH-1W Super Cobra Fire support and security for forward and rear area forces, point target/anti-armor, anti-helicopter, armed escort, supporting arms control and coordination, point and limited area air defense from enemy fixed-wing aircraft, armed and visual reconnai...
AH-64/D Apache Longbow Conducts rear, close, and shaping missions including deep precision strike. Conducts distributed operations, precision strikes against relocatable targets, and provides armed reconnaissance when required in day, night, obscured battlefield and advers...	AV-8B Harrier II The mission of the VMA STOVL squadron is to attack and destroy surface and air targets, to escort helicopters, and to conduct other such air operations as may be directed. Specific tasks of the AV-8B HARRIER II include: Conduct close air suppo...
B-1B Lancer Carrying the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1 is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force. It can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons ...	B-2 Spirit The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firep...
B-52 Stratofortress Air Combat Command's B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet (15,166.6 meters). It can carry nuclear or precision guided convent...	C-12 Huron Twin-engine logistics aircraft carrying passengers and cargo between military installations.
C-130 Hercules The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. The C-130 operates th...	C-130J Hercules The C-130 Hercules primarily performs the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the prime transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. The C-130 operates th...
C-141 Starlifter The C-141 Starlifter fulfills the vast spectrum of airlift requirements through its ability to airlift combat forces over long distances, deliver those forces and their equipment either by air, land or airdrop, resupply forces, and transport the sick...	C-17 Globemaster III The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment a...
C-20 Gulfstream III The C-20 is a twin-engine, turbofan aircraft acquired to fill the airlift mission for high-ranking government and Department of Defense officials. The 89th Airlift Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, Md., operates five C-20B's for worldwide special air mis...	C-21 Learjet The C-21 Learjet is a twin turbofan engine aircraft used for cargo and passenger airlift. The aircraft is the military version of the Lear Jet 35A business jet. In addition to providing cargo and passenger airlift, the aircraft is capable of transpor...
C-2A Greyhound A high wing, twin-engine monoplane cargo aircraft, designed to land on aircraft carriers.	C-32 The C-32 provides safe, comfortable and reliable transportation for our nation's leaders to locations around the world. The primary customers are the vice president, using the distinctive call sign "Air Force Two," the first lady, and members of the ...
C-37 Gulfstream V The C-37 is a twin-engine, turbofan aircraft acquired to fill the worldwide special air missions for high-ranking government and Defense Department officials.	C-40 Clipper 737-700 convertible/combi: high-performance, flexible, and cost effective aircraft support.
C-40B/C The C-40 B/C provides safe, comfortable and reliable transportation for U.S. leaders to locations around the world. The C-40B's primary customers are the combatant commanders and C-40C customers include members of the Cabinet and Congress. The aircra...	C-5 Galaxy The gigantic C-5 Galaxy, with its tremendous payload capability, provides the Air Mobility Command intertheater airlift in support of United States national defense. The C-5, the C-17 Globemaster III and the C-141 Starlifter are partners of AMC's str...
C-5M Super Galaxy The gigantic C-5 Galaxy, with its tremendous payload capability, provides the Air Mobility Command intertheater airlift in support of United States national defense. The C-5, the C-17 Globemaster III and the C-141 Starlifter are partners of AMC's str...	C-9 Skytrain The C-9 fleet is located throughout the continental United States, Europe, and Asia. The Navy and Marine Corps C-9 aircraft provide cargo and passenger transportation as well as forward deployment logistics support. The Air Force C-9s are used for me...
CH-46E Sea Knight Medium lift assault helicopter.	CH-47 Chinook Transport ground forces, supplies, ammunition and other battle-critical cargo in support of worldwide combat and contingency operations.
CH-53E Super Stallion Transportation of heavy equipment and supplies during the ship-to-shore movement of an amphibious assault and during subsequent operations ashore.	CH/RH-53D Sea Stallion The CH-53D is a medium lift helicopter designed to transport personnel, supplies and equipment in support of amphibious and shore operations.
CV-22 Osprey The CV-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hover, and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. The Osprey adds new capability ...	E-2 Hawkeye The E-2 Hawkeye is the Navy's all-weather, carrier-based tactical battle management airborne early warning, command and control aircraft. The E-2 is a twin engine, five crewmember, high-wing turboprop aircraft with a 24-foot diameter radar rotodome a...
E-3 Sentry (AWACS) The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications needed by commanders of U.S., NATO and other allied air defense forces.	E-4B Nightwatch The E-4B serves as the National Airborne Operations Center for the president and secretary of defense. In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command control centers, the aircraft provides a highly survivable, command, control and com...
E-6A Mercury Communications relay and strategic airborne command post aircraft. Provides survivable, reliable, and endurable airborne command, control, and communications between the National Command Authority (NCA) and U.S. strategic and non-strategic forces. Tw...	E-8C Joint Stars The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) is an airborne battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. Its primary mission is to provide theater ground and air commanders wi...
EA-6B Prowler The EA-6B Prowler provides an umbrella of protection for strike aircraft, ground troops and ships by jamming enemy radar, electronic data links and communications.	EC-130H Compass Call The EC-130H Compass Call is an airborne tactical weapon system using a heavily modified version of the C-130 Hercules airframe. The system disrupts enemy command and control communications and limits adversary coordination essential for enemy force m...
EC-130J Command Solo The EC-130J Commando Solo, a specially-modified four-engine Hercules transport, conducts information operations, psychological operations and civil affairs broadcasts in AM, FM, HF, TV and military communications bands. A typical mission consists of ...	EP-E3 Aries II Four-engine turboprop signals intelligence (SIGINT) reconnaissance aircraft.
F-117A Nighthawk The F-117A Nighthawk is the world's first operational aircraft designed to exploit low-observable stealth technology. This precision-strike aircraft penetrates high-threat airspace and uses laser-guided weapons against critical targets.	F-14 Tomcat The F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-place strike fighter manufactured by Grumman Aircraft Corporation. The multiple tasks of navigation, target acquisition, electronic counter measures (ECM), and weapons employment ...
F-15 Eagle The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield.	F-15E Strike Eagle The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night, and in all weather.
F-16 Fighting Falcon The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United State...	F-16A/B Fighting Falcon The F-16A is a single seat model, single-engine multi-role jet fighter aircraft with superior maneuverability and sophisticated tracking and weapon systems for the interception and attack of other aircraft. The F-16B is a two-seat version typically u...
F-22A Raptor The F-22A Raptor is the Air Force's newest fighter aircraft. Its combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability, represents an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities. The Rapt...	F-5N/F Adversary The F-5N is a single seat, twin-engine, tactical fighter and attack aircraft providing simulated air-to-air combat training manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation. The F-5F is a dual-seat version, twin-engine, tactical fighter commonly used for...
F/A-18 Hornet All-weather fighter and attack aircraft. The single-seat F/A-18 Hornet is the nation's first strike-fighter. It was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air support without compromising its fighter capabilities....	F/A-18D Hornet Attack and destroy surface targets, day or night, under all weather conditions; conduct multi-sensor imagery reconnaissance; provide supporting arms coordination; and intercept and destroy enemy aircraft under all weather conditions.
H-3 Sea King A multi-purpose helicopter.	HC-130P/N Hercules The HC-130P/N is an extended-range, combat search and rescue version of the C-130 Hercules transport. Its mission is extend the range of combat search and rescue helicopters by providing air refueling in hostile or contested airspace if required.
HH-60G Pave Hawk The primary mission of the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter is to conduct day or night operations into hostile environments to recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel during war. Because of its versatility, the HH-60G is also tasked to perform ...	HH/UH-1N Iroquois Utility helicopter, primarily used for search and rescue, command and control and maritime special operations missions.
KC-10 Extender The KC-10 Extender is an Air Mobility Command advanced tanker and cargo aircraft designed to provide increased global mobility for U.S. armed forces. Although the KC-l0's primary mission is aerial refueling, it can combine the tasks of a tanker and c...	KC-130 Hercules In-flight refueling; tactical transport
KC-135E Stratotanker The KC-135E Stratotanker's principal mission is air refueling. This unique asset greatly enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary missions of Global Reach and Global Power. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, ...	KC-135R Stratotanker The KC-135R Stratotanker's principal mission is air refueling. This unique asset greatly enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary missions of Global Reach and Global Power. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, ...
LC-130 Hercules In-flight refueling; tactical transport	MC-130E/H Combat Talon I/II The MC-130E Combat Talon I and MC-130H Combat Talon II provide infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces and equipment in hostile or denied territory. Secondary missions include psychological operations and helicopter air r...
MC-130P Combat Shadow The Combat Shadow flies clandestine or low visibility, single or multi-ship low-level missions intruding politically sensitive or hostile territory to provide air refueling for special operations helicopters. The MC-130P primarily flies missions at n...	MC-130W Talon The MC-130W conducts infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of US and allied special operations forces in direct support of unified and theater special operations commands and U. S. Special Operations Command contingencies. Collateral missions inclu...
MH-53E Sea Dragon The MH-53E is used primarily for Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM), with secondary missions of vertical shipboard delivery and assault support.	MH-53J/M Pave Low The Pave Low's mission is low-level, long-range, undetected penetration into denied areas, day or night, in adverse weather, for infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces.
MQ-1 Predator (UAV) The MQ-1 Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is interdiction and conducting armed reconnaissance against critical, perishable targets. When the MQ-1 is not actively pursuing its primary...	MQ-9 Reaper (UAV) The MQ-9 Reaper is the Air Force's first hunter-killer UAV. It is larger and more powerful than the MQ-1 Predator and is designed to go after time-sensitive targets with persistence and precision, and destroy or disable those targets with 500-pound b...
MV-22 Osprey The V-22 Osprey is a multi-engine, dual-piloted, self-deployable, medium lift, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tiltrotor aircraft designed for combat, combat support, combat service support, and Special Operations missions worldwide. It will repl...	NU-1B Otter The NU-1B Otter is a single engine, tail dragger (STOL), fixed wing flying qualities and performance. An all-metal, high-wing monoplane, the NU-1B is powered by a single engine driving a constant speed propeller. The aircraft is designed to carry one...
OC-135B Open Skies The United States of America Open Skies OC-135B Observation Aircraft supports the Open Skies Treaty. The aircraft flies unarmed observation flights over participating parties of the treaty.	OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Conduct armed reconnaissance, security, target acquisition and designation, command and control, light attack and defensive air combat missions in support of combat and contingency operations. Replaces AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters (those that functi...
P-3C Orion Four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft.	P-8A Multi-mission Aircraft(MMA) The P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) is a modified Boeing 737-800ERX, bringing together a highly reliable airframe and high-bypass turbo fan jet engine with a fully connected, state-of-the-art open architecture mission system. This combinat...
RC-135U Combat Sent The RC-135U Combat Sent provides strategic electronic reconnaissance information to the president, secretary of defense , Department of Defense leaders, and theater commanders. Locating and identifying foreign military land, naval and airborne radar ...	RC-135V/W Rivet Joint The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft supports theater and national level consumers with near real time on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities.
RQ-2A Pioneer (UAV) The Pioneer UAV system performs a wide variety of reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and battle damage assessment missions. The UAV's low radar cross section, low infrared signature and remote control versatility provides a degree of co...	S-3B Viking The S-3B Viking is an all weather, carrier-based jet aircraft, providing protection against hostile surface combatants while also functioning as the Carrier Battle Groups' primary overhead/mission tanker. Extremely versatile, the aircraft is equipped...
SH-60 Seahawk A twin-engine, medium lift, utility or assault helicopter.	T-1A Jayhawk The T-1A Jayhawk is a medium-range, twin-engine jet trainer used in the advanced phase of specialized undergraduate pilot training for students selected to fly airlift or tanker aircraft. It is also used to support navigator training for the U.S. Air...
T-2C Buckeye The T-2C Buckeye is a tandem-seat, carrier-capable, all-purpose jet trainer whose mission is to train Navy and Marine Corps pilots and Naval Flight Officers.	T-34C Turbomentor II The T-34C Turbomentor is an unpressurized two-seat, tandem cockpit low-wing turboprop trainer whose mission is to train Navy and Marine Corps pilots.
T-37 Tweet The T-37B Tweet is a twin-engine jet used for training joint specialized undergraduate pilot training students in fundamentals of aircraft handling, and instrument, formation and night flying.	T-38 Talon The T-38A Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because of its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record. Air Education and Training Command i...
T-39D The T-39D aircraft is a low-wing, twinjet, radar-navigational trainer manufactured by North American Aviation, Inc with the axial-flow engines pod-mounted on the fuselage rear section. The T-39D was designed as a multi-engine trainer for pilot and RI...	T-39N/G The T-39 Sabreliner is a multipurpose low-wing, twin-jet trainer whose mission is to train Navy and Marine Corps flight officers.
T-43A The T-43A is a medium-range, swept-wing jet aircraft equipped with modern navigation and communications equipment to train navigators for strategic and tactical aircraft.	T-45A Goshawk The T-45A Goshawk is a tandem-seat, carrier capable, jet trainer whose mission is to train Navy and Marine Corps pilots.
T-6A Texan II The T-6A Texan II is a single-engine, two-seat primary trainer designed to train Joint Primary Pilot Training, or JPPT, students in basic flying skills common to U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots.	TH-57 Sea Ranger The TH-57 is a derivative of the commercial Bell Jet Ranger 206. Although primarily used for training, these aircraft are also used for photo, chase and utility missions.
TH-6B Cayuse The TH-6B aircraft is a four-place, dual control, single engine helicopter. It is equipped with a single main rotor, tail rotor, and an oleo damped, skid-type landing gear. The four-bladed main rotor system is fully articulated, with rotary-friction ...	U-2S/TU-2S The U-2 provides high-altitude, all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance, day or night, in direct support of U.S. and allied forces. It delivers critical imagery and signals intelligence to decision makers throughout all phases of conflict, includ...
U-6A Beaver The Beaver was designed as an all-purpose utility capable of being equipped with wheels, skis, standard floats, or amphibious floats. The wings are high-mounted and rectangular with blunt tips. One piston engine is mounted in the nose section. A late...	UC-35C/D Ultra Encore Transport of passengers and cargo in support of Marine operations
UH-1N Huey The UH-1N is a light-lift utility helicopter used to support Air Force Space Command missile wings and groups. The helicopter has a number of uses. Its primary mission includes: Airlift of emergency security and disaster response forces, <...	UH-60A/L Blackhawk Provide air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control and special operations support to combat and stability and support operations.
V-22A Osprey The V-22 is a joint service, multi-mission aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability. It performs VTOL missions as effectively as a conventional helicopter while also having the long-range cruise abilities of a twin turboprop airc...	VC-25 - Air Force One The mission of the VC-25 aircraft -- Air Force One -- is to provide air transport for the president of the United States.
VH-3D Sea King Executive transport helicopter.	VH-60N Night Hawk Executive transport helicopter.
WC-130 Hercules The WC-130 Hercules is a high-wing, medium-range aircraft flown by the Air Force Reserve Command for weather reconnaissance missions.	WC-135 Constant Phoenix The WC-135W Constant Phoenix atmospheric collection aircraft supports national level consumers by collecting particulate and gaseous effluents and debris from accessible regions of the atmosphere in support of the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1...
X-26A The X-26A is a two-seat, high performance glider used to train pilots in flying qualities at the USN Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, MD. These aircraft are used to help increase the students' knowledge of the dynamics of flight. The only "lift" th...