The US continues to lead the list of countries with the largest Armed Forces in the world. The North American country has all types of military aircraft of last generation and constantly renews its arsenal. Know what are its five most deadly combat aircraft
Since the end of World War II, USA has counted on the best combat aircraft in the world, according to the opinion of Evan Gottesman of the magazine. In this way, Washington's biggest 'rival' during the Cold War, the Soviet Union, often built its advanced aircraft in response to American aircraft.
American designs are still the most desired by the engineers of the Armed Forces around the world, which shows the last great American project, the F-35 fighter, says the expert and highlights the five deadliest fighter planes in the US .US
F / A-18 Hornet
The F / A-18 multipurpose fighter, developed in the 70s by the McDonnell Douglas company (currently integrated in Boeing), stands out for its versatility and in addition to the US Navy is in service in Canada, Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia , Spain and Switzerland. Its combat radius reaches more than 900 kilometers while its speed is greater than Mach 1.7.
The Hornet can be equipped with a variety of weapons systems so it can carry out both combat and attack missions. In this way, in the case of an air-to-air combat, it can carry the short-range Sidewinder or medium-range AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. In turn, the Paveway laser-guided bombs, from the Raytheon company, are used for attack missions.
F-22 Raptor
The fugitive air superiority fighter F-22 Raptor of Lockheed Martin represents the greatest achievement of American military technology, says Gottesman. It entered service in 2005 and due to its importance, the US government imposed a ban on the export of the aircraft. Its pair of engines F119-PW-100, allow the fighter of fifth generation to reach a speed of Mach 1.8. At the same time, its configuration is important: all the weapons systems are inside the aircraft, which improves its furtive capabilities and reduces resistance.
It is equipped with a series of weapons that make the presence of the aircraft essential in air-to-air combat and air-ground operations. In September 2014 the F-22 participated in its first combat mission: the American fighter along with the Arab air forces carried out several attacks against the positions of the Islamic State in SYRIA
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)
The development of the fifth-generation F-35 furtive multi-purpose fighter, also known as Lightning II, was financed primarily by the United States. although support was also provided by Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. The aircraft is used by the US Marine Corps. As of 2016, the aircraft will enter the service of the North American Air Force, while in 2018 it will be received by the Navy. Subject to criticism for its immense cost, the F-35 promises to be a powerful tool for the US Army and its allies, writes the expert.
Like the F-22, the Lightning II is almost 'invisible' to radars. Its combat radius is over 1,100 kilometers and the speed amounts to Mach 1.6. In relation to the armament it differs from the Raptor by the possibility of carrying a B61 nuclear bomb. In addition to the US, all the countries that financed the project will also use the fighter for their armed forces. In turn, Israel, Singapore, Japan and possibly South Korea, could buy the aircraft for their armies.
MQ-9 Reaper
The MQ-9 is an unmanned aerial combat vehicle designed by the manufacturer General Atomics to perform attacks against targets on the ground. Since its entry into service in 2007, the drone was deployed in Afghanistan and on the US border. with Mexico. It has a combat radius of more than 1,800 kilometers and a speed of up to 480 kilometers per hour. At the same time, it is capable of transporting about 1,800 kilograms of weaponry
The drone can be equipped with a series of weapons, among which are laser-guided bombs Enhanced Paveway II or missiles to destroy Hellfire II combat vehicles. Sophisticated cameras allow the aircraft to conduct surveillance missions. Outside the US, the MQ-9 is also used by its NATO allies, Italy and the United Kingdom.
B-2 Spirit
The stealth strategic bomber B-2 was designed at the end of the Cold War and entered service in 1997. It is currently used exclusively by the US Air Force. It can fly more than 11,100 kilometers without refueling and reach subsonic speeds. In addition to conventional armament, the aircraft can carry nuclear bombs B-61 and B-83. Even more, Washington made a series of updates so that the plane is capable of carrying the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, the largest conventional pump in the world.
The plane was deployed for missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. The US authorities even considered the idea of using it for the bombing of Osama Bin Laden's base in Pakistan, but the mission was ultimately carried out by the arsenal of the special operations force NavySEALs