Supersonic aircraft

The North American A-5 Vigilante was a powerful, highly advanced carrier-based supersonic bomber designed for the United States Navy.

North American A-5 Vigilante: A three-quarter starboard aerial view of an RA-5C Vigilante aircraft, Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 7 (RVAH-7) known as the "Peacemakers of the Fleet".

The Convair B-58 Hustler was the first operational jet bomber capable of Mach 2 supersonic flight.

Convair B-58 Hustler: Convair XB-58 Hustler during takeoff. Note the landing gear is just beginning to retract. (U.S. Air Force photo)

The Lockheed SR-71 was an advanced, long-range, Mach 3 strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Lockheed A-12 and YF-12A aircraft by the Lockheed Skunk Works.

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird: Air to air three-quarter-front view of a 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing SR-71 Black Bird as it approaches a tanker for refueling.

The F-5 is a supersonic fighter combining low cost, ease of maintenance and great versatility. More than 2,000 F-5 aircraft have been procured by the USAF for use by allied nations.

Northrop F-5 flight: An air-to-air left rear view of an F-5 Tiger II aircraft banking to the left over a range. One AIM-9J Sidewinder missile is on each wing tip. The aircraft is assigned to the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing.

The Convair F-106 Delta Dart was the primary all-weather interceptor aircraft for the United States Air Force from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Convair F-106 Delta Dart flight: Convair F-106A (S/N 58-0764) in flight. (U.S. Air Force photo)

The F-106 all-weather interceptor was developed from the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger. Originally designated the F-102, it was redesignated F-106 because it had extensive structural changes and a more powerful engine.

The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force.

Republic F-105 Thunderchief: Republic F-105D-30-RE (S/N 62-4234) in flight with full bomb load. USAF photo.

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was an American single-engined, high-performance, supersonic interceptor aircraft that served with the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1958 until 1967.

Lockheed F-104 Starfighter: Lockheed F-104A-10-LO (S/N 56-0761) in flight. Note the tip tanks and pylon tanks. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Mission

Carrying the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1 is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force. It can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time.

B-1B Lancer: B-1B Lancers, like this one, provide close-air support for troops on the ground in Afghanistan.