The United States Air Force (USAF) has assembled the most fearsome stockpile of flying machines the world has ever seen. Perhaps that is why the men, women and machines that make up the USAF have higher favorability ratings than all of the other branches by the general public, at least according to a Gallup poll.
No doubt that much of that love for the Air Force has been baked into our brains thanks to the iconic film Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer. The movie depicts the flyboys as macho winged-cowboy types who risk life and limb to carve out a winning path in the sky.
More likely is the fact that the Air Force has badass planes, and lots of them. Fighters, refuelers, bombers, transports - the technological marvels never cease to amaze even the casual viewer, as well they should. Here are some of the best the USAF has to offer.
15 Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II
The A-10C Thunderbolt II's primary mission is to provide close air support to troops on the ground. The lethal jet is known for having excellent low altitude maneuverability, redundant control systems, and a titanium "bathtub" shell that helps the pilot survive dangerous situations. The Fairchild Republic is now part of Northrup Grumman.
14 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II
Lockheed Martin calls the F-35 the "most lethal, survivable, and connected fighter jet in the world." They are probably right. The radar-jamming jet has enhanced stealth capability, can carry up to 18,000 pounds of weapons, is capable of hitting Mach 1.6, and can stay airborne for extended periods of time.
13 Boeing KC-46 Pegasus
Don't hate on the Pegasus because it has a wide body. Jets that refuel other jets in mid-air are extremely important to the cause. But the KC-46 is so much more, as it was created to carry people and cargo. The giant gas can in the sky can hold up to 212,299 lbs of fuel.
12 Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor
The F-22, now a fifth-generation aircraft, is very lethal to opponents, whether they are on the ground or in the air. Lockheed Martin hails the Raptor as "the best air dominance fighter in the world" thanks to great speed, maneuverability, and stealth capabilities. The jet is powered by two F119-PW-100 turbofans.
11 Boeing B-52H Stratofortress
The long-range B-52H Stratofortress is what is known as a "heavy bomber." It is perhaps most famous for its ability to carry nuclear weapons. It also lugs the regular stuff into the sky too. And even though it is a massive plane, it can reach incredible subsonic speeds all the way up to 50,000 feet.
10 Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit
The B-2A Spirit isn't just another bomber, it is the Stealth Bomber. This 200-ton long-range striker is a marvel of modern technology which puts it on top of most people's list as their favorite military aircraft. The jet's wingspan is 172 feet and it can fly 6,000 nautical miles before it needs a fill-up.
9 General Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon
When people think of jet fighters, they often think of the F-16, now a fourth-generation killing machine. The General Dynamics-designed multi-role fighter has more than proven itself in combat situations all over the world. The Fighting Falcon has a wingspan of 31 feet and can reach 1,500 mph - that's more than Mach 2.
8 Boeing E-3G Sentry
The E-3G Sentry is more widely known as AWACS, or airborne warning and control system. To build the Sentry, they took a Boeing 707 and slapped a massive rotating radar dome to its backside. The result is a monster jet that provides the Joint Air Operations Center with highly accurate information of an ongoing "situation."
7 Lockheed C-5M Galaxy
The biggest of the bunch, the Lockheed Martin C-5M Galaxy is a marvel of flight. It is capable of carrying five helicopters (or six MRAP vehicles). In fact, this sky whale manages to haul two times the amount of cargo as another plane in the fleet. It is also known for its long-distant flight capabilities.
6 McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle
It takes both a pilot and a weapons system officer to man this dual-role fighter jet, now built by Boeing. The Strike Eagle can fly at very low altitudes in any weather situation, making it one of the more versatile planes in the Air Force's arsenal. This highly maneuverable aircraft has been in the sky since 1972.
5 Northrop Grumman E-8C Joint STARS
STARS stands for Surveillance Target Attack Radar System and it is not kidding around. The Northrop Grumman E-8C is the premier plane of its type, sending target information to both ground forces and other aircraft at the same time. The advanced machine has dutifully served the Air Force well for more than 25 years.
4 Northrop T-38C Talon
Besides being one of the safest jets out there, the T-38 is also cheap to operate and easy to fix. That makes the Talon, which first hit the skies back in 1959, a perfect supersonic trainer. It has a wingspan of just over 25 feet and cost less than $800,000 to buy new. What a bargain.
3 Lockheed U-2S
The "Dragon Lady" as it is known, boasts an outstanding 97% mission success rate over a ten-year period. The U2-S's specialty is high-altitude reconnaissance. A fleet of around 30 of these amazingly durable planes keeps a constant eye on things 24/7. Modular design allows rapid upgrades to the latest technology.
2 McDonnell Douglas C-17A Globemaster III
Military outfits around the world trust the Globemaster III to move large volumes of cargo and personnel in and out of tight spaces. The C-17A uses four Pratt & Whitney PW2040 engines producing an astounding 40,440 pounds of thrust each. The massive, four-engine long-hauler has been in service since the early '90s and is maintained by Boeing.
1 Rockwell B-1B Lancer
The Air Force calls the B-1, "the backbone of America's long-range bomber force." The amount of munitions this plane holds is truly astonishing - it can carry up to 75,000 lbs of destructive force. The $317 million Lancer, which debuted in 1986 and is now built and maintained by Boeing, holds more than 50 records.
Sources: Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, USAF