The best and baddest of U.S. stealth bombers

The evolution of American stealth aircrafts in pictures.

LOCKHEED SR-71 BLACKBIRD

1. LOCKHEED SR-71 BLACKBIRD Role: Strategic reconnaissance aircraft Manufacturer: Lockheed, Skunk Works division Status: Retired The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is a long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft that was operated by the United States Air Force.It was developed as a black projectfrom the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by Lockheed and its Skunk Works division. The SR-71 served with the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998. A total of 32 aircraft were built; 12 were lost in accidents with none lost to enemy action. The SR-71 has been given several nicknames, including Blackbird and Habu. It has held the world record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft since 1976; this record was previously held by the relatedLockheed YF-12.

LOCKHEED F-117 NIGHTHAWK

2. LOCKHEED F-117 NIGHTHAWK Role: Stealth attack aircraft Manufacturer: Lockheed Corp. Status: Retired The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is a single-seat, twin-engine stealth attack aircraft that was developed by Lockheed's secretive Skunk Works division and operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). The F-117 was based on the Have Blue technology demonstrator, and was the first operational aircraft to be designed around stealth technology. The maiden flight of the Nighthawk happened in 1981 and the aircraft achieved initial operating capability status in 1983.

LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35 Lightning

3. LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35 Lightning II Role: Stealth multirole fighter Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Status: In testing and training use The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole fighters undergoing final development and testing by the United States. Thefifth generation combat aircraft is designed to perform ground attack, aerial reconnaissance, and air defense missions.

NORTHROP GRUMMAN B-2 SPIRIT

4. NORTHROP GRUMMAN B-2 SPIRIT Role: Strategic stealth bomber Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman Status: In service Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber, is an American heavy strategic bomber, featuring low observable stealth technology designed for penetrating dense anti-aircraft defenses; it is a flying wing design with a crew of two.

GENERAL ATOMICS MQ-1 PREDATOR

5. GENERAL ATOMICS MQ-1 PREDATOR Role: Remote piloted aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle Manufacturer: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Status: In service The General Atomics MQ-1 Predator is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) built by General Atomics and used primarily by the United States Air Force (USAF) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Initially conceived in the early 1990s for aerial reconnaissance and forward observation roles, the Predator carries cameras and other sensors but has been modified and upgraded to carry and fire two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles or other munitions (Unmanned combat aerial vehicle).

NEXT GENERATION BOMBER

6.NEXT GENERATION BOMBER Role: Stealth bomber Manufacturer: Boeing/Lockheed Martin Status: Terminated The Next-Generation Bomber (formerly called the 2018 Bomber) was originally a program to develop a new medium bomber for the United States Air Force. The NGB was originally projected to enter service around 2018 as a stealthy, subsonic, medium-range, medium payload bomber to supplement and possibly to a limited degree replace the U.S. Air Force's aging bomber fleet (B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer). The NGB program was superseded by the Long-Range Strike-B (LRS-B) heavy bomber program.