McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet

The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets (F/A designation for Fighter/Attack). Designed byMcDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations. It has been the aerial demonstration aircraft for the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, since 1986.Source

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet maneuvers in position behind a KC-10 Extender Nov. 25, 2010, during air refueling operations over the mountains of Afghanistan. The KC-10 is assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron in support of operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- A Navy F/A-18 Hornet gets ready to taxi here. Two Navy Hornet squadrons are visiting Osan for a joint training exercise with local F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt II units. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Stacie Shafran)

An F/A-18 Hornet from the Navy's Blue Angels stands by to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over Alaska on Aug. 14. The Blue Angels team had performed at an air show at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Anthony Nelson Jr.)

Navy F-18 Hornets from the Naval Air Station's Joint Reserve Base in New Orleans arrive to take part in the Valiant Shield exercise Aug. 6 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. During the exercise being held Aug. 6 to 13, Airmen will participate in integrated joint training with Navy and Coast Guard forces. Andersen AFB will also be the beddown location for approximately 64 Air Force and 29 Navy aircraft, plus transient aircraft, during Valiant Shield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Miranda Moorer)

Navy F-18 Hornets from the Naval Air Station's Joint Reserve Base in New Orleans arrive to take part in the Valiant Shield exercise Aug. 6 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. 

U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets deploy heat flares during a combat patrol over Afghanistan Dec. 15. Trust between joint terminal attack controllers and pilots serves as an important aspect of close-air support. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)

Airmen look over a load plan as they prepare to load an F/A-18 Super Hornet onto a C-5 Galaxy on Aug. 18, 2011, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. This marked the first time a U.S. fighter jet had been successfully loaded into a cargo aircraft for transport back to the U.S. The Airmen are assigned to the 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron at Kandahar Airfield and the 22nd Airlift Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman David Carbajal)

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the Kansas Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing prepares to refuel Navy F/A-18 Hornets over Wake Island during an escort mission from Japan to the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ben Fulton)

Four U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets approach a KC-10 Extender for refueling Nov. 25, 2010, over the mountains of Afghanistan. The KC-10 Extender is deployed with the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron in support of operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn at an air base in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

OVER THE PERSIAN GULF -- An F/A-18C Hornet receives fuel from an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker during a combat mission here April 20. (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Don Berry)

Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit - Stealth Bomber

The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit (also known as the Stealth Bomber) is an American strategic bomber, featuring low observable stealth technology designed for penetrating dense anti-aircraft defenses; it is able to deploy bothconventional and nuclear weapons. The bomber has a crew of two and can drop up to eighty 500 lb (230 kg)-class JDAM GPS-guided bombs, or sixteen 2,400 lb (1,100 kg) B83 nuclear bombs. The B-2 is the only aircraft that can carry large air-to-surface standoff weapons in a stealth configuration.Source

OVER KANSAS -- The B-2 Spirit bomber is a revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers. Its unrefueled range is approximately 6,000 nautical miles. Many aspects of the low-observability process remain classified; however, the B-2's composite materials, special coatings and flying-wing design all contribute to its "stealthiness." (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Olsen)

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- B-2 Spirit bombers taxi down the runway in preparation for the largest insertion of bombers since the Viet Nam conflict. This flight will mark the official beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Janice Cannon)

The "Spirit of Missouri" approaches the runway at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The B-2 bomber is returning from a combat sortie supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Francis M. Dupuis)

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Airman First Class Angel Unate (left) and Senior Airman Alex Rodriquez wait to chalk the front gear of their B-2, the "Spirit of Kitty Hawk," as it taxis to final parking at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Both airmen are red flight crew chiefs of the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and will recover the bomber after it's combat mission over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Nixon)

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- A B-2 Spirit, returning from a mission over Iraq, takes on fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Indian Ocean on March 27. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby)

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- A B-2 Spirit drops 32 inert Joint Direct Attack Munitions Aug. 27 at the Utah Testing and Training Range here.

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. (U.S. Air Force photo)

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Tech. Sgt. Kevin Ponton examines the wing surface of a B-2 Spirit Bomber here Oct. 21. Ponton is a structural maintenance technician from the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. He and several other Whiteman airmen were here for a Red Flag exercise. The exercise allows combat aircrews to train in a simulated-war environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Michael R. Nixon)

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- A B-2 Spirit bomber sits on the ramp here Oct 28. The bomber is from the 509th Bomb Wing from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. B-2 aircraft and people from Whiteman were participating in exercise Red Flag 04-01. Red Flags are war exercises that allow combat aircrews training in the most realistic simulated war environment possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Michael R. Nixon)

OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN -- A B-2 Spirit bomber refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker here during a deployment to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The bomber deployed as part of a rotation that has provided U.S. Pacific Command officials a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing regional security and the U.S. commitment to the Western Pacific. The Spirit is from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo. The Stratotanker is assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing at Scott AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis)

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- A B-2 Spirit and F-15E Strike Eagles fly in formation across the Pacific Ocean. The deployed fighters and bomber represent Pacific Air Force's projection of Global Strike and resolve for U.S. allies in the Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN -- A B-2 Spirit soars through the sky after a refueling mission here May 2. The B-2 is assigned to the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. The bomber is currently deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, as part of a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)

F-15 Strike Eagle

A crew chief from the 159th Air National Guard, LA maintenance crew preflights a F-15 fighter jet on Oct. 23, 2002 for Exercise Cope Snapper 2002. Held at NAS Key West Florida, Exercise Cope Snapper 02 is a multi-aircraft exercise that engages dissimilar air combat training with on fighter data link and joint operations with the Navy. The members involved in Cope Snapper consist of the 159th Fighter Wing's, Louisiana F-15 fighters, the 169th McEntire, SC Air National Guard's F-16 fighter jets, maintenance crews, and the Navy's F-18s and F-14 fighter jets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock)

An F-15C from the 67th Fighter Squadron refuels in flight from a KC-135R, from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, June 28, 2001, while on a routine training mission over the Pacific ocean. Both units are stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Marvice Krause)

OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN -- An F-15C from the 67th Fighter Squadron prepares to refuel in flight from a KC-135R, from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, June 28, 2001, while on a routine training mission over the Pacific ocean. Both units are stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Marvice Krause)

 A pair of F-15E Strike Eagles, fly over the pyramids. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Scott McKeever)

A row of F-15s sits on the ramp here. The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. The single-seat F-15C and two-seat F-15D models entered the Air Force inventory beginning in 1979. (U.S. Air Force photo)

A crew chief from the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron prepares an F-15E Strike Eagle for a mission at a forward-deployed location on March 21, 2003. The Strike Eagles from Seymour Johnson A.F.B., are deployed in support of current operations in the Middle East. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derrick C. Goode)

336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron maintainers work on a F-15E Strike Eagle. The 336th EFS is deployed to a location supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The maintanence crews work around the clock to ensure every aircraft is ready for the next mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Donovan)

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- A Japanese air self-defense force F-15J takes off for a familiarization training mission here May 30. The Japanese are in Alaska for Cooperative Cope Thunder, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored air-combat training exercise set for June 5 to 20. Cope Thunder represents the first time the Japanese have deployed F-15 aircraft to North America for an exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Keith Brown)

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- An F-15E Strike Eagle waits at the end of the runway here before taking off for a deployment supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. William Greer)

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Seventy-five F-15E Strike Eagles from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., are waiting out Hurricane Isabel on a runway here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eddie Edge)

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Master Sgt. Scott Lemak (left) guides a vehicle operator as Senior Airman Nicholas Surita (center) and Staff Sgt. Maurice Williams help remove an M-61A1 gun from an F-15E Strike Eagle. The airmen are deployed from the 494th Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. Lemak is a weapons flight chief, Surita is a weapons loader, and Williams is a weapons-load team chief. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. William J. Sharp)

LMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- An F-15 Eagle from the 12th Fighter Squadron here prepares to taxi out for a real world deployment Oct. 26. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Adrian Cadiz)

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 391st Fighter Squadron here, takes off for an early morning sortie during an Operational Readiness Inspection on Oct. 17. The 366th FW was evaluated on how well it responded to crisis, employed forces, provided mission support and survived and operated in hostile environments. ORIs are conducted to evaluate the ability of units with a wartime or contingency mission to conduct assigned operational missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis)

B-52 Stratofortress Strategic Bomber

ROYAL AIR FORCE FAIRFORD, England -- Three B-52 Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., taxi to the runway here. The B-52s are forward deployed to RAF Fairford to support NATO Operation Allied Force. The B-52s have been launching missiles in support of allied NATO air strikes. Air Combat Command's B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. (U.S. Air Force photo)

DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Island Territory -- A B-52H Stratofortress from the 96th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., deployed to the 2nd Air Expeditionary Group, Naval Station Diego Garcia, drops away after air refueling. The 96th Bomb Squadron and support personnel from the 2d Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, are deployed in support of Desert Thunder. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sarah E. Shaw)

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- A B-52 Stratofortress receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Indian Ocean. The KC-135 crew is from the 931st Air Refueling Group at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and is deployed to the 405th Air Expeditionary Wing to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby)

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Capt. Jason McNutt maneuvers his B-52 Stratofortress into position beneath a KC-135 Stratotanker for aerial refueling. The B-52 bomber crew from the 40th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron dropped 45 500-pound bombs on targets in Iraq on April 4. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Richard Freeland)

ANDERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- A B-52 Stratofortress deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La. lands here April 2, 2003. Aircraft and personnel are deplyed here in support of the 7th Air Expeditionary Wing's mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christina M. Rumsey)

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- B-52 Stratofortress bombers surge from the flightline here in response to an exercise Oct. 31, despite a winter storm that passed through the area. The storm reduced temperatures to 26 degrees, and dropped six inches of snow. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brandy Turner)

OVER NEVADA -- A B-52H Stratofortress drops a load of M-117 750-pound bombs during a training run here. During Desert Storm, B-52s delivered 40 percent of all the weapons dropped by coalition forces. The first Gulf War saw the longest strike mission in the history of aerial warfare when B-52s took off from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., launched conventional air-launched cruise missiles and returned to Barksdale -- a 35-hour, non-stop combat mission. (U.S. Air Force photo)

1950's -- B-52

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Capt. Jeremiah Baldwin (left), a pilot, and 1st Lt Bentley Brooks, a co-pilot, conduct a preflight check in their B-52 Stratofortress here. Six B-52s and about 300 support people from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., are the first to deploy here following the decision to station a rotating bomber force here. Both Airmen are from the 23rd Bomb Squadron at Minot AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Val Gempis)

OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN -- NASA's B-52B launch aircraft cruises to a test range here carrying an X-43A hypersonic research aircraft attached to a Pegasus rocket Nov. 16. It was taken to launch altitude by the aircraft from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. About an hour later the Pegasus booster was released from the B-52 to accelerate the X-43A to its intended speed of Mach 10. (National Aeronautics and Space Administration photo by Carla Thomas)

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFPN) -- Munitions on display show the full capabilities of the B-52 Stratofortress. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Robert J. Horstman)

A B-52 Stratofortress takes off Wednesday, April 13, 2006, from a forward operating location in Southwest Asia. The B-52s are seeing increased operations tempo while providing close-air support for Operation Mountain Lion. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. John Rohrer)

A B-52 Stratofortress is on its way to a combat mission over Afghanistan. The B-52s provide close-air support for U.S. and coalition forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. John Rohrer)

A B-52 Stratofortress deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, stands ready Feb. 12 for its next mission. Bombers deployed from the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La., provide a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Don Perrien)

A row of B-52 Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and Minot AFB, N.D., await their next mission on the flightline Feb. 1 at Andersen AFB, Guam. The different colored tail markings represent the individual squadrons each bomber is assigned to at their home station. Approximately 300 Airmen from Barksdale AFB arrived on Guam recently as part of a scheduled rotation of bomber units into the Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Don Perrien)

A B-52 Stratofortress leads a formation of Air Force and Navy F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-15 Eagles, and F-18 Hornetst over the USS Kitty Hawk, USS Nimitz and USS John C. Stennis Strike Groups during Exercise Valiant Shield exercise Aug.14 in the Pacific. The forces participated in Valiant Shield, the largest joint exercise in the Pacific this year. Held in the Guam operating area, the exercise includes 30 ships, more than 280 aircraft and more than 20,000 servicemembers from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. (U.S. Navy photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Jarod Hodge)

Air Force fighters, bombers, tankers and air control aircraft occupy the flightline at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The aircraft, deployed from several Air Force bases, are here to promote regional security and stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1St Class Cory Todd)

A B-52 Stratofortress flies a routine mission Nov. 12 over the Pacific Ocean. The B-52 is deployed from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., to Andersen AFB, Guam, and is part of a continuing operation of maintaining a bomber presence in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

A B-52 Stratofortress flies April 20, 2011, during an eight-hour sortie to practice bomb-dropping sequences and aerial refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

A B-52 Stratofortress lands at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., June 30, 2011, after a sortie. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael J. Veloz)