Military Jet Aircraft

Images of various military jet aircraft in flight or on the ground, showcasing powerful designs and dynamic aerial movements.

Brazilian Air Force Mirage 2000 flying over Brazil.

F-16 in Flight, Bank Turn

A British Harrier Jump Jet

An air-to-air right side view of the first C-5 Galaxy aircraft to be painted in a camouflaged pattern. State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

M2-F3 on Rogers Dry Lake

110211-O-XX000-001NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (Feb. 11, 2011) The U.S. Navy variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C, conducts a test flight over the Chesapeake Bay. Lt. Cmdr. Eric "Magic" Buus flew the F-35C for two hours, checking instruments that will measure structural loads on the airframe during flight maneuvers. The F-35C is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear for greater control when operating in the demanding carrier take-off and landing environment.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet from the South Carolina Air National Guards 169th Fighter Wing departs Columbia Metropolitan Airport in West Columbia, South Carolina to an alternate airfield September 29, 2022. The temporary relocation is a safety precaution ahead of the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Ian. The aircraft will return to South Carolina and resume their normal flight training operations just as soon as conditions allow.

Illusration of three F-22 fighter jets flying over clouds.

Russian Aerospace Forces Tu-22M3 taking off from Dyagilevo Air Base, Russia.

A sleek fighter jet flies high above the clouds, showcasing its aerodynamic design. The aircraft is illuminated by sunlight, creating a striking contrast against the blue sky.

The Active Aeroelastic Wing F-18A lifts off on its first checkout flight November 15, 2002, from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The checkout flight initiated a two-phase NASA--Air Force flight research program that will investigate the potential of aerodynamically twisting flexible wings to improve maneuverability of high-performance aircraft at transonic and supersonic speeds.

An air-to-air right side view of an OV-10A Bronco aircraft banking to the left. The Bronco is from the 19th Tactical Airlift Squadron (19th TASS), Osan Air Base, Korea. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air left side view of a Northrop F-20 Tigershark aircraft firing rockets during a demonstration. The aircraft is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Panavia Tornado Gr.1 from the Royal Air Force during an open day in the Netherlands.

An air-to-air right side view of a Soviet MiG-23 Flogger aircraft. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

HiMAT in Flight

A left front view of the X-31 Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability demonstrator aircraft as it is towed to a hangar for its rollout ceremony. The X-31 is being produced jointly by Rockwell International Corporation of the US and Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm of West Germany. Base: Palmdale State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

. The NASA ER-2 high-altitude aircraft supported the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Storms (IMPACTS) mission. For this mission, the IMPACTS team tracked storms across the Eastern United States to help understand how winter storms form and develop. The aircraft, which is based at NASAs Armstrong Flight Research Center Building 703 in Palmdale, California, was temporarily based at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia. The three-year IMPACTS campaign concluded on Feb. 28, 2023.

An F-22 Raptor from the 411th Flight Test Squadron, 412th Test Wing, takes off from Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 23. (Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

AN air-to-air left side view of two F-101 Voodoo aircraft in flight. The aircraft are assigned to the 107th Fighter Interceptor Group, New York Air National Guard, North American Air Defense Command (NORAD). Base: Niagara Falls Air Base State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the USAF Thunderbird Team taxis out from Luke Air Force Base, AZ at the start of their Luke Day Air Show. The Thunderbirds demonstrated combat formations and capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Base: Luke Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-35B on the flight line Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

A U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 209 taxis on the runway at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-1, May 2, 2022. This exercise provides unique opportunities to integrate various forces into joint and multilateral training from simulated forward operating bases.

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec. 9, 2012) The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator prepares to conduct various tests aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman is the first aircraft carrier to host test operations for an unmanned aircraft.

Close-up of the nose cone on a Su-35S jet fighter of the Russian Knights aerobatics team.

An Air Force C-17A heavy-lift, air-refuelable cargo transport, flying overhead on its maiden flight, just after take-off. Base: Long Beach State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds taxi on the flight line at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 25, 2023. The Thunderbirds have been representing the U.S. Air Force as an aerial demonstration team since 1953.

R F-4C "Phantom II"

DN-SC-89-09043. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

The first Norwegian F-35 Lightning II lands at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Nov. 10, 2015. The jet marks the scheduled arrival of the first of two F-35s for the Royal Norwegian Air Force, making Norway the newest partner in the international F-35 joint partnership program at Luke.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet, assigned to the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, taxis down the runway to prepare for takeoff at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, South Carolina, September 15, 2022. The 169th Fighter Wing is temporarily flying out of the Columbia Metropolitan Airport while the McEntire Joint National Guard Base runway undergoes construction.

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II taking off, Aviano, Italy.

NASA Dryden's highly modified F-15B aircraft, tail number 837, serves as an Intelligent flight Control System (IFCS) research testbed aircraft.

Cockpit

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor taxis at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Northern Territory, Australia, Aug. 30, 2022. The F-22 performs both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, making it a vital asset to the U.S. Air Forces tenants of airpower.

Air to air front view of a C-141B Starlifter from the 63rd Military Airlift Wing, Norton AFB, California taking off from Norton with San Gorgonio mountain in the background. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

060728-N-7241L-010. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

1/3/1992 - A left side view of a QF-86F drone aircraft parked on the flight line..

The Wingman air combat drone.

DF-SC-87-02082. Country: Unknown

040623-F-6911G-008. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-88-00392. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

historical warbird on a runway

AN air-to-air left side view of an F-45G Phantom II aircraft carrying an AGM-78 Standard Arm missile on its right wing and an ALQ-119 electronic countermeasures pod on its left wing. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

AERO VODOCHODY L39 Albatross racing at the Reno Air Races at Reno Stead airport, Reno Nevada. In flight flying

NASAs ER-2 No. 806 returns to flying high-altitude on April 7, 2022, after three years of heavy maintenance. NASA Armstrong operates two ER-2 aircraft to collect information about Earth resources, celestial observations, atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, and oceanic processes.

A T-45A Goshawk trainer aircraft lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) during its first series of carrier qualifications. Country: Unknown

. The ALOFT mission, Airborne Lightning Observatory for Flys eye simulator and Terrestrial gamma ray flashes, is a collaboration between NASA and the University of Bergen, Norway. NASA Armstrong Flight Research Centers ER-2 aircraft flies just above the height of thunderclouds over the Floridian and Caribbean coastlines to collect data about lightning glows and terrestrial gamma ray flashes. Scientists expect to collect more accurate data than ever before that can advance the study of high-energy radiation emissions from thunderstorms.

NASA test pilots Jim Clue” Less and Wayne Ringo” Ringelberg step to the F/A-18 research aircraft at Ellington Field and conduct pre-flight safety checks on the aircraft prior to a supersonic research flight for the QSF18 series.

Two NASA Dryden F/A-18's land on the Edwards Air Force Base runway after completion of an Autonomous Formation Flight (AFF) mission.

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (Dec. 7, 2012) Maj. C. R. Clift, a Marine Corps test pilot, flies BF-1, an F-35B Lightning II, on a short take off and vertical landing mode mission. The flight marked the 1000th developmental test flight for the F-35B Lightning II in the program's program's system development and demonstration phase. The F-35B is the variant of the Lightning II designed for use by the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as F-35 international partners in the United Kingdom and Italy. The F-35B is capable of short takeoffs and vertical landings to enable air power projection from amphibious ships, ski-jump aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields. The F-35B is undergoing flight test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River, Md., prior to delivery to the fleet.

An air-to-air, left underside view of a BQM-34E remotely-piloted target vehicle flying at 10,000 feet over the Pacific Missile Test Center Range. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

The pilot of a 509th Bombardment Wing FB-111A aircraft taxis his plane on the runway prior to takeoff. Base: Pease Air Force Base State: New Hampshire (NH) Country: United States Of America (USA)

This artist's concept depicts the X-34 Demonstrator in flight. Part of the Pathfinder Program, the X-34 was a reusable technology testbed vehicle that was designed and built by the Marshall Space Flight Center to demonstrate technologies that were essential to lowering the cost of access to space. Powered by a LOX and RP-1 liquid Fastrac engine, the X-34 would be capable of speeds up to Mach 8 and altitudes of 250,000-feet. The X-34 program was cancelled in 2001.

An air-to-air front view of a C-5 Galaxy aircraft over Lake Berryessa. The C-5, one of the first to be painted in a camouflage pattern, is en route to Cairo, Egypt. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-ST-88-00399. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

DF-SC-85-01761. Country: Unknown

An F-35 Lightning II from the 461st Flight Test Squadron, 412th Test Wing, takes off from Edwards Air Force Base, California, to conduct a flyover to kick off the 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, July 19. (Air Force photo by Josh McClanahan)

An air-to-air left side view of an F-4E Phantom II aircraft over Mount McKinley. The aircraft is assigned to the 21st Tactical Fighter Wing, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Base: Mount Mckinley State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A left front view of the TR-1 reconnaissance aircraft upon its landing. Base: Beale Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Northrop XB-35 'Flying Wing' in Flight. Northrop XB-35 'Flying Wing' in Flight. Photographer: James Evans

An F-22 Raptor from the 411th Flight Test Squadron, 412th Test Wing, takes off from Edwards Air Force Base, California, to conduct a flyover to kick off the 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, July 19. (Air Force photo by Josh McClanahan)

A right side view of a 55th Reconnaissance Wing (55th RW) T-38A Talon aircraft parked on the flight line. Base: Andrews Air Force Base State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (June 13, 2012) An F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft takes of during an evening flight. This was the first evening flight of an F-35C.

An air-to-air front view of an SR-71A strategic reconnaissance aircraft. The SR-71 is unofficially known as the "Blackbird.". Base: Beale Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A T-45C Goshawk, attached to Training Air Wing (TW) 1, lands on Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in the Atlantic Ocean, Jan. 22, 2024. USS George Washington is underway in support of carrier qualifications.

A close-up photo of the spin chute mounted on the rear fuselage of the AFTI F-16, a safety device designed to prevent the loss of aircraft in spin conditions. Under some circumstances, pilots cannot recover from spins using normal controls. It these instances, the spin chute is deployed, thus "breaking" the spin and enabling the pilot to recover. The spin chute is held in a metal cylinder attached to the AFTI F-16 by four tubes, a structure strong enough to withstand the shock of the spin chute opening. Unlike the air probe in the last photo, spin chutes are not standard equipment on research or prototype aircraft but are commonly attached expressly for actual spin tests.

A US Air Force T-38 Talon from the 87th Flying Training Squadron, Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, Texas, sits on the ramp at sunrise during the annual air defense exercise. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS '95 Base: Roswell State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A F-35A of the Royal Netherlands Air Force touches down on the runway.

Pilot in the cockpit, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 fighter plane, Polish Air Force, International Aerospace Exhibition ILA 2008, Berlin, Germany, Europe

An air-to-air left side of an RF-4 Phantom II aircraft flown by the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, RAF Alconbury. Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

An F/A-18A Hornet aircraft approaches for a landing aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). Country: Unknown

Two T-38 Talons from Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, fly in formation with 2 F-16 Falcons from Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, on April 7, 2022. The 4 aircraft joined up together to practice formation flights over southwest Texas before heading back to Laughlin for a presentation to student pilots.

Artwork: "F-16XL" Artist: Bob Moreau, US Air Force Art Collection. Country: Unknown

An F/A-18F Super Hornet taking off from the flight deck.

A F-22 Raptor assigned to Langley Air Force Base demonstration team performs during the Ellsworth Airshow practice May 14, 2022 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. Attendees enjoyed a variety of aerial acts and static displays showcasing the skills and technology of the U.S. military.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At the NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility, the first of the aircraft carrying STS-123 crew members is ready to taxi to the runway and take off for the return trip to Houston. The STS-123 crew members took part in a terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, in preparation for the launch of space shuttle Endeavour scheduled on March 11. The TCDT enables astronauts and ground crews to participate in various countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency egress training. On the STS-123 mission, Endeavour and its crew will deliver the first section of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and the Canadian Space Agency's two-armed robotic system, Dextre

A left side view of a Training Squadron 7 (VT-7) TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft parked on the flight line. The tail of a NASA T-38 Talon aircraft is on the right. Base: Naval Air Facility, Andrews Afb State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An F-16C Aggressor jet landing on runway in Nevada.

An F-35A Lightning II taxis after landing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Feb. 8, 2016. The F-35, visiting from Edwards AFB, Calif., will be part of an initial operating capability test at a nearby range complex.

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A taxis out for a training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 17, 2022. The conventional takeoff and landing F-35A gives the U.S. Air Force and its allies the power to dominate the skies, anytime, anywhere.

Photographed outside their hangar at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, part of Dryden's F-16 fleet is, left to right; an F-16A, the F-16XL no. 1, and the F-16 AFTI. The F-16A (NASA 516), the only civil registered F-16 in existence, was transferred to Dryden from Langley, and was primarily used in engine tests and for parts. It was subsequently transfered from Dryden.The single-seat F-16XL no. 1 (NASA 849) was most recently used in the Cranked-Arrow Wing Aerodynamics Project (CAWAP) to test boundary layer pressures and distribution. Previously it had been used in a program to investigate the characteristics of sonic booms for NASA's High Speed Research Program. Data from the program will be used in the development of a high speed civilian transport. During the series of sonic boom research flights, the F-16XL was used to probe the shock waves being generated by a NASA SR-71 and record their shape and intensity.The Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) F

November 11, 2012 - An F-15C Eagle landing on the runway at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

A U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptor at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

An F-15 Eagle aircraft takes off for another record breaking mission. Fifteen F-15 Eagle aircrafts from Kadena Air Base, Japan break the record for the most F-15s in the air simultaneously. Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)

A 37th Tactical Fighter Wing (37th TFW) F-117A aircraft taxis along a wet runway. The 37th TFW is preparing to deploy to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

F-16 in Maintenance Hangar, Showing Disassembled Wing, High Dynamic Range, or HDR Image

Vincennes, United States - 18 July 2020: Aerial view of a jet airplane at Indiana military Museum in Vincennes, United States.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the STS-135 crew members arrived aboard their T-38 jets at about 5:30 p.m. EDT to participate in a launch countdown dress rehearsal called the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) and related training in preparation for the upcoming STS-135 mission. Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim are targeted to lift off July 8, taking with them the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the International Space Station.The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites and return a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final missio

A right side view of an F-5F Tiger II aircraft with its canopy raised as it sits on the flight line. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

NAS Fallon airfield has a monumental day. After some three and a half years of construction to re-build our Bravo taxiway, today marked the official re-opening. The project provided a full depth replacement of the airfield pavement for Taxiway Bravo on NAS Fallon. With the support of NAVFAC Southwest, the project was completed in two phases and provides a more robust taxiway to support the growing NAS Fallon mission. (November 28, 2023) Project Cost: $18.6MContract Awarded: 23 Mar 2020Construction Began: Jun 2020Contractor placed nearly 20,000 Cubic Yards of ConcreteReplaced failing pavement, thickened shoulders from 6 to 12 of concrete.

An air-to-air right side view of the first C-5 Galaxy aircraft to be painted in a camouflage pattern. State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Air-to-air right side view of a KC-10A Extender aircraft refueling another KC-10A. Base: Southern California State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Shot of an F-15 Eagle aircraft, armed with GBU-12's, flies along the Florida coastline. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A taxis out for a training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, May 17, 2022. The F-35s advanced sensors and data fusion allow it to gather and share information with other Air Force aircraft, Navy ships and Army units quicker than ever before.

A one-of-a-kind F-15 Eagle called ACTIVE (Advanced Control Technology for integrated Vehicles) in flight over the desert (viewed from above the aircraft), will start test flights in September 1994. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-88-06698. Country: Unknown

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II from the 354th Fighter Wing takes off during the Arctic Thunder Open House (ATOH) at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 30, 2022. ATHOH is a biennial event hosted by JBER and is one of the largest in the state and one of the premier aerial demonstrations in the world. The event features multiple performers to include the JBER Joint Forces Demonstration Team, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, Pacific Air Forces C-17 Demonstration Team and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team.

Three U.S. Navy T-45C Goshawks taking off.

DN-ST-88-04307. Country: Unknown

of 3