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The United States Air Force, with the motto "Aim High … Fly-Fight-Win," has more than 5,000 aircraft, making it the largest in the world, according to Wisevoter. Its ranks include, among others, bombers and fighters. While the former are designed to unload munitions against ground targets, the latter are primarily intended to fight other aircraft. The following are the in-service models of these two types of aircraft.
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The first version of the B-52 Stratofortress entered service in 1954. For more than 60 years, it has been "the backbone of the strategic bomber force" of the Air Force. The only version in service is the B-52H. In Operation Desert Storm, it supplied 40% of all weapons dropped by coalition forces.
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Nicknamed "The Bone," the B-1B Lancer is the Air Force's most capable bomber (75,000 pounds). It had to be redesigned in the mid-1990s, when the Air Force discharged it from its original purpose of carrying nuclear weapons. In thirty years it has achieved nearly 50 world records.
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The B-2 Spirit is a bomber designed during the Cold War to carry nuclear munitions and infiltrate enemy lines. It was the first "stealth" bomber, i.e., undetectable by radar. With a cost of more than $2 billion per unit, it is, according to several sources, the most expensive aircraft in history.
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The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multi-purpose fighter, suitable for both air-to-air battles and attacks on ground targets. Its maneuverability and endurance in the air distinguish it from other fighters. It can battle in all weather conditions, including low or no visibility.
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The F-15 Strike Eagle was the first U.S. aircraft that could accelerate vertically (because the thrust of its engine exceeds its weight). Although its primary role is attacking ground targets, it also excels in aerial combat. The F-15C can fly at night and in all weather conditions, attacking targets at low altitude thanks to its infrared guidance system.
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Fifteen years after the first flight of the Strike Eagle (pictured above), the Air Force debuted the F-15E. Among other improvements, this latest model includes a rear cockpit for the Combat Systems Officer, which uses four screens to display radar information, infrared sensors, weapons status and potential threats.
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"The F-22 cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft," according to the official Air Force website. It points out that the 'Raptor,' in addition to having the most powerful engine in its category, has invisibility technology which allows it to hide from enemy radar detection.
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