U.S. Army B-2 bombers perform at an air show in St. Joseph, Missouri, May 2.
The United States is the only country in the world that implements a global military strategy. The U.S. military has pushed its lines of defense far from the homeland, truly defending itself from enemies, and has also taken responsibility for maintaining stability in all regions, deterring regional military conflicts, and gaining the approval of most countries. As a result, the United States has the largest number of military allies in the world, which also ensures the implementation of a global strategy that significantly amplifies the U.S. military’s ability to deploy and operate with mobility. Of course, the U.S. military itself is the most powerful in the first place in the Global Firepower ranking.
U.S. Air Force
The U.S. Air Force has approximately 330,000 active duty personnel, 70,000 in the reserves, over 100,000 in the Air Guard, and employs over 170,000 civilians, operates over 5,000 aircraft, and is also in charge of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The U.S. Air Force is the world’s only truly global-strike capable air force, with not only fifth-generation air superiority and multi-role warplanes, but also long-range bombers, and a variety of reconnaissance and special mission aircraft. The U.S. military also has the world’s largest number of refueling aircraft, and through cooperation with allies and the deployment of overseas military bases, is able to support the U.S. Air Force’s long-range air attack and prolonged air control capabilities.
The U.S. Air Force is the second pillar in executing the U.S. military’s global strategy.
F-22 Raptor fighter jets fly over the Gulf of Mexico, April 1, 2017.
I. Air Superiority Fighter
The U.S. Air Force has two air superiority fighters, 187 fifth-generation F-22 Raptor stealth fighters (Raptor) and 266 fourth-generation F-15C Eagle fighters (Eagle).
The F-22 is the world’s first mass-produced fifth-generation stealth fighter, and its combination of stealth, aerodynamic performance and advanced avionics makes it the world’s best all-around air superiority fighter. The fighter can cruise at supersonic speeds of Mach 1.82 (1,963 km/h) without the use of afterburners.
The F-22 is designed with a stealthy structure, painted with stealth materials, and low radiation from on-board electronics, with a minimum radar reflective surface of only about 0.005-0.01 square meters, the equivalent of a small bird. the F-22 can detect enemy aircraft up to 400 kilometers away, with a detection capability comparable to that of an RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft. The built-in magazine can carry six AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles and two AIM-9 rattlesnake missiles, capable of over-the-horizon operations.
Prior to the F-22, the F-15C was the world’s best fourth-generation air superiority fighter, equipped with a versatile avionics system and also capable of over-the-horizon operations with a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 (3,062.6 km/h); including exported models that have participated in all combat operations, setting an air combat record of 104:0.
The U.S. Army is still ordering the F-15EX on top of the F-15E to enhance its ground-strike capability; a sixth-generation air superiority fighter is in development.
Two F-16Cs (left) and two F-35A Lightning IIs (right) fly over the Alaska Range, April 21, 2020.
II. Multi-Purpose Fighter Aircraft
The U.S. Air Force’s multi-role fighters include: F-35 Lightning II (Lightning II) stealth fighters at least 283; F-15E multi-role fighters 219; F-16C multi-role fighters nearly 1,000. The multipurpose fighters can be used for both air combat and ground and sea strike missions.
The F-35 is a fifth-generation medium-sized fighter aircraft, second only to the F-22 fighter in air combat capability. The U.S. Air Force uses the F-35A, the Marine Corps uses the F-35B, and the F-35C is used as a carrier-based aircraft for the U.S. Navy.
The F-35 was developed later and is equipped with an avionics system and even a stealth structure that is actually more advanced than the F-22 and also uses more composite materials; the built-in bomb bay carries four AIM-120 advanced air-to-air medium-range missiles, which can act as a trailblazer and share intelligence for subsequent precision strikes. When not required for stealth missions, the F-35 has six external attachment points to carry a variety of missiles and bombs.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a fourth-generation multi-role light fighter, and its cost effectiveness has made it the most widely produced aircraft for export, with more than 4,600 produced, followed by the F-16E/F and F-16V, which have reached fourth-and-a-half-generation performance.
The F-16’s advanced radar can support beyond visual range operations, and its current air combat record is at least 76:2, which is the best combat record outside of the F-15. The F-16 has participated in all major U.S. air strikes, completing more than 13,000 combat missions in the 1991 Gulf War.
The U.S. Army also has the F-15E multi-role fighter, the latest delivery of which is the F-15EX, with more advanced avionics and reportedly capable of carrying up to 22 air-to-air missiles.
The U.S. Army also has 287 A-10C strike aircraft that focus more on ground strikes, particularly against enemy armored forces. These multi-role warplanes are primarily used for large-scale tactical air strikes.
U.S. Army’s B-1B long-range heavy strategic bomber.
III. Strategic Bomber
The U.S. Air Force is the only air force in the world capable of truly global strategic bombing missions, with 59 B-1B strategic bombers, 19 B-2 stealth bombers, and 74 B-52 bombers.
The B-1 Gunfighter (Lancer) is a supersonic heavy long-range bomber developed and produced at the end of the Cold War, with a maximum number of 95 in service. the B-1B is designed to reduce the radar signature or radar cross section and can fly at low altitudes up to Mach 0.92, close to the speed of sound, and at high altitudes at supersonic speeds up to Mach 1.2. the B-1B can fly at 60 meters The B-1B can fly at low altitudes, with the nose constantly detecting the terrain in its flight path, so that the fuselage can automatically rise and fall to maintain a certain altitude with the ground; three built-in bomb bays can carry 75,000 pounds (34,000 kg) of munitions, and 59,000 pounds (27,000 kg) of external munitions can also be mounted.
The B-2 Spirit, the most advanced U.S. bomber in service and currently the world’s only stealth strategic bomber, has a maximum radar cross-sectional area of only 0.1 square meters, almost like a large bird. the B-2 bomber primarily conducts penetrating missions, penetrates enemy territory stealthily, and can drop nuclear and other conventional weapons. the B-2 is heavily automated and requires one person to operate most of its flights. The B-2 is heavily automated, requiring only one pilot for most of its flights, with the other able to rest, meeting the need for long-range runs.
The B-52 bomber will be in service until 2050, when it will be more than 100 years old. The upgraded B-52H has the advantages of easy operation, simple maintenance and low flight costs, and can also carry a large number of missiles and bombs, as well as nuclear bombs, and is still part of the U.S. Air Force’s strategic bomber fleet.
The USAF’s three strategic bombers, all of which have been in combat for many years, are ready for long-range operations from the homeland as well as dynamic forward deployments, representing the world’s most powerful long-range air attack force. A new B-21 stealth bomber is in development and is expected to replace the B-1B bomber.
A U.S. Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft receives aerial refueling during a mission in the Central Command area, May 26, 2019.
iv. various reconnaissance aircraft, etc.
The U.S. Air Force has more than 130 early warning, reconnaissance and command aircraft of all kinds; 19 electric warplanes; more than 500 air refueling aircraft, more than 600 transport aircraft and more than 1,000 trainer aircraft. The U.S. Air Force also has a unique variety of high-altitude and long-range unmanned aircraft.
These aircraft have powerful reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, integration and support capabilities and are equally critical to the battlefield.
- Reconnaissance aircraft
The U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, nicknamed Dragon Lady, flew in 1955 and has been upgraded and improved many times since then, and is still in service today.
RC-135 is a large reconnaissance aircraft for real-time collection, analysis and distribution of various types of information on the battlefield, directly providing a basis for battlefield decision making; can detect signals such as audio, voice frequency, telex and telegram, and at 10,000 meters altitude can detect radio stations at a distance of 600 to 800 kilometers; can distinguish objects up to 3.7 meters in length within 360 kilometers. RC-135 has a variety of models and different purposes.
The RC-135S Cobra Ball electronic reconnaissance aircraft is used to track ballistic missiles and quickly measure information such as launch sites, intercept points and attack targets, providing information for defense and counterattack.
RC-135U (Combat Sent) electronic reconnaissance aircraft are used to collect all types of enemy ground, naval and airborne radar signals, and to locate, identify and analyze them.
RC-135V/W electronic reconnaissance aircraft can collect, analyze, record, and transmit theater and national-level intelligence, including identifying the location and movement of enemy forces, and intercepting and collecting enemy electronic and communications intelligence.
Equipped with long-range visual infrared reconnaissance sensors, measurement systems and mission checkout software, the RC-135X communicates directly with USAF warplanes, ground command centers and satellites to deliver timely information to commanders everywhere.
An E-3 AWACS aircraft flies a mission over Southwest Asia, Aug. 30, 2017.
- airborne early warning, command aircraft
The upper part of the E-3 Sentry early warning aircraft is equipped with a rotating radar dome for air reconnaissance, control and communication, etc. It can detect low-flying targets above 400 km radius and high-flying targets within 650 km; it can display the latest battlefield status in a comprehensive manner, continuously track enemy aircraft and ships, transmit information to the command center, and can coordinate various missions.
The E-8 Joint Star Command aircraft is equipped with a 12-meter canoe-shaped radome under the forward fuselage, capable of covering 50,000 square kilometers and tracking 600 targets simultaneously from 250 kilometers away, combining ground surveillance, battle management, command and control functions to track ground vehicles and some aircraft, collect imagery, and transmit tactical imagery to commanders on the ground and in the air.
The E-4B command aircraft is the U.S. National Air Operations Center, serving the President, Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control and communications center in the event of a national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centers, and is also known as the “doomsday aircraft.
- Electric Warfare Aircraft
The EC-130H Compass Call is a U.S. Air Force electronic attack aircraft used to disrupt enemy command and control communications, suppress enemy air defense systems, and counter enemy electronic attacks; it can carry a crew of four and nine equipment operators, such as electronic commanders, weapons systems officers, cryptologic linguists, analysis operators, and maintenance technicians. The U.S. Navy shipboard electric warfare aircraft is the EA-18G Growler.
An MQ-9 drone flies over a test training range in Nevada on Jan. 14, 2020.
- Unmanned aircraft
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-range unmanned reconnaissance aircraft that can operate for more than 32 hours, significantly improving continuous reconnaissance capabilities; the aircraft is equipped with a high-resolution synthetic aperture radar that penetrates clouds, sand and wind, and an electro-optical infrared module that provides long-range, long-duration, full-area dynamic surveillance; the daytime surveillance area exceeds 100, The MQ-9 Reaper is equipped with a high-resolution synthetic aperture radar that can penetrate clouds, sand and winds, and an electro-optical infrared module that provides long-range, long-duration, full-area dynamic surveillance.
The MQ-9 Reaper can remain in the air for extended periods of time, both for reconnaissance and for hunting, and can carry up to eight AGM-114 Hellfire missiles (Hellfire) simultaneously.
In late 2020 the U.S. Army tested the XQ-58A Valkyrie low-cost drone for joint exercises with the F-22 and F-35, which will act as a wingman. In 2021, the U.S. Army also demonstrated the aerial release of a swarm of drones from a large transport aircraft.
The various types of reconnaissance, electric warfare, and unmanned aircraft owned by the U.S. military constitute a three-dimensional system of aerial reconnaissance, intelligence analysis, delivery, electronic jamming, and integrated command, which, in conjunction with the U.S. military’s powerful air strike capability, is currently unmatched in the world.
A Volunteer III (Minuteman III) intercontinental ballistic missile is launched at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Feb. 5, 2020.
V. Land-based ballistic missiles
The U.S. Air Force is also in charge of 675 land-based ballistic missiles and has 400 Minuteman III missiles in operational readiness with a range of more than 13,000 kilometers, each carrying a nuclear warhead with a yield of 335,000 to 475,000 tons. The upgraded YPG III missiles and nuclear warheads will be in service until at least 2030. Development of the next generation of new missiles and nuclear warheads has already begun. The U.S. Air Force has a dual mission of land-based and air-based nuclear countermeasures.
Summary
The U.S. Air Force operates the world’s largest and most advanced aircraft, has the most combat experience, the highest overall training and tactical sophistication, and boasts the highest level of reconnaissance, air control, transportation, and global strike capabilities. With approximately $165 billion in 2020 funding, the U.S. Air Force is even more unmatched.
The U.S. also has an Air National Guard of more than 100,000 personnel operating more than 1,000 aircraft. In addition, the U.S. Army operates more than 4,400 aircraft, the U.S. Navy operates more than 2,600 aircraft, and the Marine Corps operates more than 1,300 aircraft. (To be continued)
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