A Brief Guide To The 6 Types Of Military Planes Used In Combat

A Brief Guide To The 6 Types Of Military Planes Used In Combat

• Fighter aircraft are crucial for air-to-air combat, carrying various weapons and flying at supersonic speeds.
• Bomber aircraft conduct air-to-ground attacks with large payloads, categorized as strategic or tactical.
• Attack aircraft target enemy armors while supporting ground troops, offering precision strikes and applying closer proximity tactics.

A wide range of military aircraft are used in combat missions. Such missions call for everything from air-to-air and air-to-ground combat to patrolling and strategic reconnaissance. Global air forces make use of a variety of aircraft during combat missions.

Simple Flying compiled a list of major types of aircraft used in combat, as highlighted in Aero Corner.

Fighter aircraft

Primary role: Destroy enemy aircraft

Fighter aircraft are designed for offensive and defensive counter air operations. The primary purpose of such aircraft is to destroy enemy aircraft during air-to-air combat. Fighter aircraft are some of the most common combat aircraft, capable of engaging enemy aircraft.

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Fighters are designed to carry a wide range of weapons, including machine guns, cannons, guided missiles, and bombs. Most modern fighter jets can fly at supersonic speeds, allowing a high-speed run and chase. Fighters are capable of hitting targets from a great distance. Some of the examples of fighters are

Bomber aircraft

Primary role: Air-to-ground attack

Bomber aircraft are larger, heavier, and less agile than fighter aircraft. These aircraft are used in many combat missions. The primary purpose of bombers is to conduct air-to-ground attack. Bombers may be piloted by one or more crew members. Some bombers feature stealth abilities that prevent them from being detected by enemy aircraft.

Bombers are categorized into two major classifications: strategic and tactical. Strategic bombers are large, heavy, and designed for long-range missions against enemy targets. Tactical bombers are generally smaller and short-ranged support offensive operations and are designed to counter enemy military activities.

Bombers carry large payloads of bombs, missiles, and torpedoes. Some of the examples of bombers are B-2 Spirit, B-52 Statofortress, and Rockwell B-1 Lancer.

Keep up with the latest Simple Flying coverage of military aviation here.

Attack aircraft

Primary role: Attack enemy armor

Attack aircraft are designed to provide support to friendly troops on the ground. These attack enemy armors on the ground, while protecting friendly forces. Attacker aircraft can carry out airstrikes with much more precision than bombers, primarily due to their proximity to the ground.

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In some forces, attack aircraft overlap the tactical bomber missions and provide support for naval air-to-surface missions. In some cases, fighter aircraft can also carry out ground support missions. Attack aircraft are capable of encountering strong low-level defenses. Attack aircraft are equipped with gunships and other weapons ideal for closer proximity to targets. Some examples are AgustaWestland Apache, Ilyushin IL-2, and Lockheed AC-130.

Electronic warfare

Primary role: Degrade enemy radar and systems

Electronic warfare aircraft are designed for electronic intelligence of radar and communication systems. The primary purpose of these aircraft is to degrade the effectiveness of enemy communication, radar, and satellite systems. The designs of these aircraft are generally based on pre-existing aircraft.

Electronic warfare aircraft are equipped with missile launch rails for targeting and self-protection. The aircraft features some of the most advanced avionics, including electronic scan array capabilities, tactical jamming systems, and airborne integrated jamming receivers. Some examples are Boeing EA-18G Growler, Kawasaki RC-2, and Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler.

Maritime Patrol

Primary role: Maritime patrolling missions

Maritime patrol aircraft are designed to fly for long durations over water to carry out maritime patrol missions. Maritime patrol aircraft are generally fixed-wing aircraft that spend a lot of time in the air. These aircraft can either be purpose-built or modified from pre-existing designs.

Some of the missions maritime patrol aircraft are involved in are anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, and search and rescue missions. Maritime patrol aircraft typically carry air-deployable sonar buoys and torpedoes. These aircraft are capable of carrying out low-altitude flights for long periods of time. Some examples are the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, Kawasaki P-1, and Lockheed CP-140 Aurora.

Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV)

Primary role: Various forms of drone warfare

Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV) are remote-controlled aircraft designed for a variety of tactical missions. These aircraft may feature varying degrees of autonomy, particularly specific to the missions. UCAVs can fly into and approach closer to enemy targets.

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Depending on the size, these drones may feature bombs, torpedoes, and air-to-surface missiles. Global air forces use such combat vehicles for air interdiction. Drones are also used for targeted and precise airstrikes. A wide range of abilities is possible with combat drones. Some examples of combat UAVs are MQ-9A Reaper, Chengdu GJ-1, and GIDS Shahpar-II.

What are your thoughts on the different types of military aircraft that are used in combat? Share your views in the comments section.