Locator: 52003USAF.
The F-35 Lightning II: the quarterback
- multi-role stealth fighter
- advanced sensors to network the entire battlespace
- shares targeting data with other forces
- short range, low payload
- Pentagon announced today (October 22, 2026) it will almost double procurement of the F-35 with new orders, link here; will more than double the number of "combat-coded" F-35s;
- currently: 544 F-35As; only about 344 are designated as "combat-coded"
The F-15EX: running back — think Emmitt Smith, the league’s all-time leading rusher
- 29,500 lbs total payload
- 100% external (23 hardpoints)
- up to 12 A/A missiles standard (up to 22 via advanced racks), or
- heavy outsized hypersonic missiles
The B-1 Lancer: tight end -- non-stealth -- think Travis Kelce (think KC chiefs; Taylor Swift's husband)
- currently about 45; major reduction of 17 airframes in 2021; Dyess AFB (Abilene, TX) and Ellsworth AFB (Rapid City, SD)
- supersonic heavy bomber (non-stealth)
- carriers largest conventional payload of any US bomber
- can rapidly rush massive amounts of precision ordnance to a theater at supersonic speeds
- zero radar-evading stealth capabilities
- payload
- 125,000 lbs total payload
- 24 internal cruise missiles (JASSM) or 84 conventional bombs (Mk-82)
- largest payload of any US bomber
The B-2 Spirit: the wide receiver -- stealth -- think CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys)
- penetrating strategic stealth bomber
- can fly completely undetected through the world's most advance air defense networks
- can deliver heavy conventional or nuclear ordnance anywhere on Earth
- fewer than 20 air frames active; extremely fragile, high maintenance radar-absorbent skin
- payload:
- 40,000 lbs total payload (all internal, stealth)
- up to 16 nuclear bombs (B61/B83) or two 30,000-lb GBU-57 bunker busters
- only a/c capable of carrying the massive deep-penetrating bunker busters into denied space
