United States Air Force (2023)

Current Active Inventory: 5,209 Aircraft

Last Updated: 12/04/2022 | © www.WDMMA.org

The following represents an overview of the modern aerial fighting capabilities of the United States Air Force (2023). The service currently counts 5,209 total units in its active aircraft inventory. The WDMMA review takes into account specific categories of aircraft covering attack, logistics, special-mission, and general support types. Inventory numbers and related aircraft types / variants are provided as-is and derived from publically-available information / sources. "Outlook" results are related to any future airframes currently under procurement though said airframes may not be delivered for service in the current year for various reasons. "Readiness Rates" are based on the published USAF standard. Due to discrepancies regarding UAV reporting between countries and sources, unmanned vehicles are currently not tracked by WDMMA.

Total Aircraft: 5,209

2,605 / 5,209
Total available aircraft assuming a Below Average Readiness Rate of 50.0%.

3,646 / 5,209
Total available aircraft assuming an Average Readiness Rate of 70.0%.

3,907 / 5,209
Total available aircraft assuming an Above Average Readiness Rate of 75.0%.

4,167 / 5,209
Total available aircraft assuming an Excellent Readiness Rate of 80.0%.

TvR:
242.9

This service's TrueValue Rating formulated by assessment of an air service's current strengths and weaknesses matched against the top performer - the USAF (242.9).

Global Rank:
1/127

This air service's Global Rank when compared to the rest of the national powers of WDMMA. A total of 127 air services from 101 nations are currently tracked. View the current ranking.

FORCE CONCENTRATION:
Attack: 1,976 units
Support: 1,692 units
Training: 1,541 units
Future: 2,419 units

Suppliers

Primary (1)

Secondary (9)

Fighters (1,511)

Airframes detailed as fighter, interceptor, or general attack types including multi-role though excluding dedicated bombers and CAS.

OUTLOOK

POSITIVE

789

F-16C

Multirole

218

F-15E

Multirole/Strike

210

F-15C

Fighter

178

F-22A

Air Superiority

116

F-35A

Strike Fighter

Total Units: 1,511 (29%)

Bombers (152)

Airframes developed for the strategic-level direct-attack role; typical qualities include subsonic or supersonic performance, long range, and high-altitude capabilities.

OUTLOOK

POSITIVE

74

B-52H

Strategic

59

B-1B

Strategic

19

B-2

Strategic

Total Units: 152 (3%)

Close-Air Support (313)

Airframes utilized in the direct-attack role; typically featuring extended loitering and excellent low-and-slow capabilities.

OUTLOOK

STABLE

286

A-10C

Close-Air Support

10

AC-130U

Close-Air Support

10

AC-130W

Close-Air Support

7

AC-130J

Close-Air Support

Total Units: 313 (6%)

Helicopters (213)

Airframes detailed as manned rotary-wing platforms used in the transport, special-mission, or direct-attack roles.

OUTLOOK

POSITIVE

92

HH-60G

Multirole

65

AC-130U

Utility

51

AC-130W

Transport

3

AC-130J

Multirole

1

AC-130J

Medium-Lift

1

AC-130J

Utility

Total Units: 213 (4%)

Transports (677)

Airframes used in the dedicated hauler role, serving either military or high-government personnel or in supply / cargo delivery.

OUTLOOK

POSITIVE

222

C-17

Strategic/Tactical

182

C-130H

Tactical

136

C-130J

Tactical

52

C-5M

Strategic

23

C-12

Utility

20

C-146

Airliner

18

C-21A

Utility

12

U-28 (PC-12)

Utility

5

M28

Tactical

3

C-12J

Utility

2

C-208

Utility

1

DHC-6

Utility

1

C-20H

VIP

Total Units: 677 (13%)

Trainers (1,541)

Airframes reserved for dedicated Basic, Advanced, Flight, and Helicopter airman training.

OUTLOOK

POSITIVE

503

T-38A/C

Advanced Jet Trainer

445

T-6

Basic Trainer

176

T-1A

Advanced Jet Trainer

150

F-16D

Fighter Trainer

105

F-35A

Strike Trainer

52

DA-20

Flight Trainer

40

UH-1H

Helicopter Trainer

26

F-15D

Fighter Trainer

25

T-53A (SR20)

Flight Trainer

6

EMB-314

Basic Trainer

5

G-120TP

Flight Trainer

4

TU-2S

Special Mission

3

TC-135

Crew Trainer

1

E-8C

Reconnaissance Trainer

Total Units: 1,541 (30%)

Aerial Tankers / Refuelers (555)

Airframes modified for the purpose of aerial fuel delivery to support allied aircraft / operations.

OUTLOOK

POSITIVE

396

KC-135R/T

Aerial Refueling

58

KC-10

Aerial Refueling

51

MC-130J

Aerial Refueling

36

KC-46A

Aerial Refueling

14

MC-130H/P

Aerial Refueling

Total Units: 555 (11%)

Special-Mission (247)

Airframes modified for Special-Mission roles - typically these are dedicated, role-specific types.

OUTLOOK

POSITIVE

34

HC-130J

Search & Rescue

32

MC-12W

Reconnaissance

31

E-3B/C/G

Airborne Early Warning

26

U-2S

Reconnaissance

23

U-28 (PC-12)

Utility

22

RC-135S/U/V/W

ELINT

16

E-8C

Reconnaissance

12

EC-130H

Electronic Warfare

11

RC-26B

Reconnaissance

9

HC-130N/P

Search & Rescue

7

EC-130J

Electronic Warfare

5

CN-235

Reconnaissance

4

E-4B

Communications

4

C-32B

Reconnaissance

3

E-11A

Communications

3

Dash 8

Reconnaissance

2

HU-25 (Falcon 20)

Reconnaissance

2

OC-135B

Observation

1

Cessna 208

Reconnaissance

Total Units: 247 (5%)

On Order (2,419)

Aircraft set to be delivered in the current procurement year or in subsequent year(s).

1518

F-35A

Strike Fighter

351

T-7A

Advanced Jet Trainer

144

F-15C/E/X

Air Dominance

134

KC-46A

Aerial Refueling

100

B-21A

Strategic Bomber

79

MH-139 (AW139)

Utility

41

C-130J

Tactical

23

MC-130J

Aerial Refueling

13

HC-130J

Search & Rescue

10

G550

Utility

3

EMB-314

Trainer/Light Attack

2

AT-6

Basic Trainer

1

F-35A

Strike Trainer

Total Units: 2,419

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