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AC-130

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 targets or targets of opportunity. Force protection missions include air base defense and facilities defense.
Entered service: AC-130H, 1972; AC-130U, 1995
Power Plant: Four Allison T56-A-15 turboprop engines
Thrust: 4,910 shaft horsepower each engine
Length: 97 feet, 9 inches
Height: 38 feet, 6 inches (11.7 meters)
Wingspan: 132 feet, 7 inches
Ceiling: 25,000 feet
Speed: 300 mph (Mach .4) (at sea level)
Range: Approximately 1,300 nautical miles; unlimited with air refueling
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 155,000 pounds (69,750 kilograms)
Armament: AC-130H/U: 40mm cannon and 105mm cannon; AC-130U: 25mm gun
Crew: AC-130U - Five officers (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, fire control officer, electronic warfare officer) and eight enlisted (flight engineer, TV operator, infrared detection set operator, loadmaster, four aerial gunners

F-117 Stealth fighter

The F-117A Nighthawk is the world's first operational aircraft designed to exploit low-observable stealth technology. It was used for the first time in Panama in 1989 and extensively in the Gulf War. The larger bomber version, the B-2 Stealth bomber, is not deployed in the gulf.

Contractor: Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Co.
Power plant: Two General Electric F404 engines
Length: 65 feet, 11 inches
Height: 12 feet, 5 inches
Weight: 52,500 pounds
Wingspan: 43 feet, 4 inches
Speed: High subsonic
Range: Unlimited with air refueling
Armament: Internal weapons carriage
Unit Cost: $45 million
Crew: One
Date deployed: 1982
Inventory: Active force, 54; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0

B-2 "Spirit" Stealth bomber

The B-2 bomber quickly became the mainstay of the U.S. Air Force after making its debut in the Kosovo conflict. In that conflict, it changed the face of tactical military doctrine by flying all of its missions from bases in the United States, refueling in the air along the way. The United States now has 21 on active service.

Builder: Northrop Grumman Corp.
Contractor Team: Boeing Military Airplanes Co., General Electric Aircraft Engine Group and Hughes Training Inc., Link Division
Power plant: Four General Electric F-118-GE-100 engines
Thrust: 17,300 pounds each engine
Length: 69 feet
Wingspan: 172 feet
Height: 17 feet
Weight: 
Maximum takeoff weight: 336,500 pounds
Speed: High subsonic
Range: Intercontinental, unrefueled
Ceiling: 50,000 feet
Crew: Two pilots
Armament: Conventional or nuclear weapons
Payload: 40,000 pounds
Date deployed: December 1993
Unit cost: $1.3 billion
Inventory: Active force: 21 (1 test); ANG: 0; Reserve: 0

F/A-18 Hornet

The F/A-18C Hornet is an all-weather, multirole light fighter and attack aircraft. It was designed for traditional strike applications such as interdiction and close air support without compromising its fighter capabilities.

Unit cost: $ 24 million
Propulsion: Two F404-GE-402 enhanced performance turbofan engines
Thrust: 17,700 pounds static thrust per engine
Length: 56 feet
Height: 15 feet 4 inches
Maximum Take Off Gross Weight: 51,900 pounds
Wingspan: 40 feet 5 inches
Range (w/external tanks): 
Fighter: 1,379 nautical miles, 1585.9 miles
Attack: 1,333 nautical miles, 1532.9 miles
Ceiling: 50,000+ feet
Speed: Mach 1.7+
Armament: One 20mm MK-61A1 Vulcan cannon, AIM 9 Sidewinder, AIM 7 Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Harpoon, Harm, Shrike, SLAM, SLAM-ER, Walleye, Maverick missiles; Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW); Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM); various general purpose bombs, mines and rockets
Crew: One

F-14 Tomcat

The F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep-wing, two-place fighter designed to attack and destroy enemy aircraft at night and in all weather conditions. The F-14 can track up to 24 targets simultaneously with its advanced weapons-control system and attack six with Phoenix AIM-54A missiles while continuing to scan the airspace. Armament also includes a mix of other air intercept missiles, rockets and bombs.

Unit cost: $38 million
Propulsion: F-14: two Pratt & Whitney TF-30P-414A turbofan engines with afterburners
F-14B and F-14D: two General Electric F-110-GE-400 augmented turbofan engines with afterburners
Thrust: F-14A: 20,900 pounds static thrust per engine;
F-14B and F-14D: 27,000 pounds per engine
Length: 61 feet 9 inches
Height: 16 feet
Maximum takeoff weight: 72,900 pounds
Wingspan: 64 feet unswept, 38 feet swept
Ceiling: Above 50,000 feet
Speed: Mach 2+
Crew: Two: pilot and radar intercept officer
Armament: Up to 13,000 pounds of AIM-54 Phoenix missile, AIM-7 Sparrow missile, AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, air-to-ground ordnance, and one MK-61A1 Vulcan 20mm cannon

F-15 Eagle

The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It's out of production for the United States but has spawned lucrative export versions operated by Israel, Saudi Arabia and several NATO air forces.

Contractor: McDonnell Douglas Corp.
Power plant: Two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100 turbofan engines with afterburners.
Thrust: C/D models 25,000 pounds each engine
Length: 63 feet, 9 inches
Height: 18 feet, 8 inches
Wingspan: 42 feet, 10 inches
Speed: 1,875 mph (Mach 2.5 plus at sea level)
Ceiling: 65,000 feet
Maximum takeoff weight: C/D models 68,000 pounds
Range: 3,450 miles ferry range with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks.
Armament: One M-61A1 20mm multibarrel gun mounted internally with 940 rounds of ammunition; four AIM-9L/M Sidewinder and four AIM-7F/M Sparrow missiles, or a combination of AIM-9L/M, AIM-7-F/M and AIM-120 missiles.
Crew: F-15A/C: one. F-15B/D: two.
Unit cost: $15 million.
Date deployed: July 1972
Inventory:Active force, 403; ANG, 126; Reserve, 0.

F-16 Falcon fighter

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multirole fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attacks. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. With the Soviet MiG-29, it is the world's premier fighter aircraft.

Builder: Lockheed Martin Corp.
Power plant: F-16C/D: one Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229 or General Electric F110-GE-100/129
Thrust: F-16C/D, 27,000 pounds
Length: 49 feet, 5 inches
Height: 16 feet
Wingspan: 32 feet, 8 inches
Speed: 1,500 mph (Mach 2 at altitude)
Ceiling: Above 50,000 feet
Maximum takeoff weight: 37,500 pounds
Range: More than 2,000 miles ferry range
Armament: One M-61A1 20mm multibarrel cannon with 500 rounds; external stations can carry up to six air-to-air missiles, conventional air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions and electronic countermeasure pods.
Unit cost: F-16C/D, $20 million plus
Crew: F-16C: one; F-16D: one or two
Date deployed: January 1979
Inventory: Active force, 444; Air National Guard, 305; Reserve, 60.

B-1 bomber Lancer

The B-1B is a long-range strategic bomber, capable of flying intercontinental missions without refueling, then penetrating present and future sophisticated enemy defenses. It can perform a variety of missions, including that of a conventional weapons carrier for theater operations. The bombers were involved in a series of controversial crashes early in its lifetime and were a highly debated and expensive addition to the U.S. arsenal.

Builder: Rockwell International, North American Aircraft
Power plant: Four General Electric F-101-GE-102 turbofan engine with afterburner
Thrust: 30,000-plus pounds with afterburner, per engine
Length: 146 feet
Wingspan: 137 feet extended forward, 79 feet swept aft
Height: 34 feet
Weight: Empty, approximately 190,000 pounds
Maximum takeoff weight: 477,000 pounds
Speed: 900-plus mph, Mach 1.2 at sea level
Range: Intercontinental, unrefueled
Ceiling: Over 30,000 feet
Crew: Four (aircraft commander, pilot, offensive systems officer and defensive systems officer)
Armament: Up to 84 Mark 82 conventional 500-pound bombs and 30 CBU-87/89/97. Also can be reconfigured to carry a wide range of nuclear weapons
Date deployed: June 1985
Unit cost: $200-plus million per aircraft
Inventory: Active force, 51 primary mission aircraft inventory (PMAI), 72 (actual), 2 (test); ANG, 18 PMAI, (20 actual); Reserve, 0

B-52 Stratofortress

The 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. It can carry nuclear or conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability. It was the primary long-range nuclear bomber of the Cold War and was used intensively both in Vietnam and the Gulf War.

Contractor: Boeing Military Airplane Co.
Power plant: Eight Pratt & Whitney engines TF33-P-3/103 turbofan
Thrust: Each engine up to 17,000 pounds
Length: 159 feet, 4 inches
Height: 40 feet, 8 inches
Wingspan: 185 feet
Speed: 650 mph; Mach 0.86
Ceiling: 50,000 feet
Weight: Approximately 185,000 pounds empty
Maximum takeoff weight: 488,000 pounds
Range: Unrefueled 8,800 miles
Armament: Approximately 70,000 pounds mixed ordnance -- bombs, mines and missiles. Modified to carry air-launched cruise missiles, Harpoon anti-ship and Have Nap missiles.
Crew: Five—aircraft commander, pilot, radar navigator, navigator and electronic warfare officer
Accommodations: Six ejection seats
Unit cost: $30 million
Date deployed: February 1955
Inventory: Active force, 85; ANG, 0; Reserve, 9

A-10 Thunderbolt

The A-10, flown by the U.S. Air Force, is a "tank-buster." They're 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 other armored vehicles.

Contractor: Fairchild Republic Co.
Power plant: Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans
Thrust: 9,065 pounds each engine
Length: 53 feet, 4 inches
Height: 14 feet, 8 inches
Wingspan: 57 feet, 6 inches
Speed: 420 mph, Mach 0.56
Ceiling: 45,000 feet
Maximum takeoff weight: 51,000 pounds
Range: 800 miles
Armament: One 30 mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun; up to 16,000 pounds of mixed ordnance on eight under-wing and three under-fuselage pylon stations, including 500 pounds of retarded bombs, 2,000 pounds of general-purpose bombs, incendiary and Rockeye II cluster bombs, combined effects munitions, Maverick missiles and laser-guided/electro-optically guided bombs; infrared countermeasure flares; electronic countermeasure chaff; jammer pods; 2.75-inch rockets; illumination flares and AIM-9
Sidewinder missiles
Crew: One
Date deployed:March 1976
Unit cost: $8.8 million
Inventory: Active force, A-10, 72 and OA-10, 72; Reserve, A-10, 24 and OA-10, 12; ANG, A-10, 64 and OA-10, 30

C-2A Greyhound

The twin-engine C-2A Greyhound cargo aircraft provides critical logistics support to aircraft carriers. Its primary mission is onboard delivery. Powered by two T-6 turboprop engines, the C-2A can deliver a payload of up to 10,000 pounds. The cabin can readily accommodate cargo, passengers or both. It is also equipped to accept litter patients in medical evacuation missions.

Unit cost: $38.96 million
Propulsion: Two Allison T-56-A-425 turboprop engines; 4,600 shaft horsepower each
Length: 57 feet 7 inches
Height: 17 feet
Weight: Max. gross, take-off: 57,000 lbs
Cruising Speed: Max.: 300 knots, 345 miles
Ceiling: 30,000 feet
Range: 1,300 nautical miles, 1,495 statute miles
Crew: Four

EA-6B Prowler

The EA-6B Prowler provides an umbrella of protection over strike aircraft and ships by jamming enemy radar, electronic data links and communications. The EA-6B Prowler is a twin-engine, mid-wing aircraft designed for carrier and advanced base operations with a fully integrated electronic warfare system combining long-range, all-weather capabilities with advanced electronic countermeasures. A forward equipment bay and pod-shaped faring on the vertical fin, house the additional avionics equipment. The side-by-side cockpit arrangement gives maximum efficiency, visibility and comfort

Propulsion: Two Pratt & Whitney J52-P408 engines (11,200 pounds thrust each)
Length: 59 feet 10 inches
Wingspan: 53 feet
Height: 16 feet 3 inches
Weight: Max gross take-off: 61,000 pounds
Speed: Over 500 knots, 575 mph
Range: Over 1,000 nautical miles, 1,150 miles
Ceiling: 37,600 feet
Armament: AGM-88A HARM missile
Crew: Four: pilot and three electronic countermeasures officers

E-2C Hawkeye

The E-2C Hawkeye is the Navy's all-weather, carrier-based tactical warning and control system aircraft. Additional missions include surface surveillance coordination, strike and interceptor control, search and rescue guidance and communications relay. An integral component of the carrier air wing, the E-2C uses computerized sensors to provide early warning, threat analyses and control of counteraction against air and surface targets.

Unit cost:$51 million
Propulsion:Two Allison T-56-A427 turboprop engines; (5,000 shaft horsepower each)
Length: 57 feet 6 inches
Wingspan: 80 feet 7 inches
Height: 18 feet 3 inches
Weight: Max. gross, take-off: 53,000 lbs; 40,200 lbs basic
Speed: 300+ knots, 3;5 mph
Ceiling: 30,000 feet
Crew: Five
Armament: None

Harrier jump jet

The AV-8B Harrier "jump jet" can take off and land vertically on a space only a bit larger than itself. The Royal Navy flies a Sea Harrier variant off of its aircraft carriers. Those deployed in the Gulf, however, are operated by the U.S. Marines from amphibious assault ships. India's navy also operates the jet.

Contractor: British Aerospace
Power plant: One Rolls-Royce Pegasus 106 engine
Length: 46 feet 6 inches
Height: 12 feet 2 inches
Wingspan: 25 feet 3 inches
Speed: 665 mph, Mach .97
Ceiling: 65,000 feet
Range: About 800 miles
Armament: AIM-120 Air-to-air missiles, Sidewinders or a bomb load. Up to two 2,000 pound bombs.
Crew: one
Date deployed: December 1978

S-3B Viking

The Vikings are used in the detection and attack of submarines. The extremely versatile Viking also is used as an armed scout in the anti-surface role, as well as tanking, mining and limited electronic surveillance.

Unit cost: $27 million
Propulsion: Two General Electric TF-34-GE-400B turbofan engines; 9,275 pounds of thrust each
Length: 53 feet 4 inches
Wingspan: 68 feet 8 inches
Height: 22 feet 9 inches
Weight: Max design gross take-off: 52,539 pounds
Speed: 450 knots; 518 mph
Ceiling: 40,000 feet
Range: 2,300+ nautical miles; 2,645 statute miles
Armament: Up to 3,958 pounds of AGM-84 Harpoon and AGM-65 Maverick missiles, torpedoes, mines, rockets and bombs.
Crew: Four

SH-60F Seahawk

The Seahawks are used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, anti-ship warfare, cargo lift and special operations. (This is the naval version of the more widely known Army helicopter, the AH-60 Blackhawk.)

Unit cost: Up to $10.2 million
Power plant: Two General Electric T700-GE-700 or T700-GE-701C engines
Length: 64 feet 10 inches
Rotor diameter: 53 feet 8 inches
Height: Varies with the version; from 13 to 17 feet
Weight: Varies; 21,000 to 23,000 pounds
Speed: 180 knots maximum
Range: Generally about 380 nautical miles; range becomes unlimited with air refueling capability.
Armament: Usually two 7.62mm machine guns mounted in the windows; can also be equipped with three Mk46 or Mk 50 torpedoes or additional .50-caliber machine guns mounted in the doors.
Crew: Usually three or four

ES-3B Shadow

TThe ES-3B Shadow is used for reconnaissance. The ES-3 is a carrier-based subsonic, all-weather, long-range, electronic reconnaissance aircraft. It operates primarily with carrier battle groups providing Indications and Warning (I&W) support to the battle group and joint theater commanders. It carries an extensive suite of electronic sensors and communications gear.

Unit cost: $27 million (original airframe) + $65 million (conversion) = $92 million
Propulsion: Two General Electric TF-34-GE-400B turbofan engines (9,275 pounds of thrust each)
Length: 53 feet, 4 inches
Wingspan: 68 feet, 8 inches
Height: 22 feet, 9 inches
Weight: Max design gross take-off: 52,539 pounds
Speed: 450 knots; 518 mph
Ceiling: 40,000 feet
Range: 2,300+ nautical miles; 2,645 statute miles
Armament: None
Crew: Four

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