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
- not stealthy, but doesn't need to be in its role;
- 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
- simply a monster of an offensive fighter/bomber.
- the F-15 was my primary a/c while on active duty for 30 years.
The B-1 Lancer: tight end -- non-stealth -- think Travis Kelce (think KC chiefs; Taylor Swift's husband)
- currently about 45 B-1s in the inventory;
- 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)
- the FedEx a/c: when you positively, absolutely need to take out a deep subterranean target;
- 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
- Whiteman, MO
- 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
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The Old Workhorse
The B-52:
- think Larry Csonka, age 79, retired. Born December 25, 1946. Oldest living Hall of Fame fullback.
- the B-52: entered service in 1955;
- prototype, first flight: April 15, 1952
