F-22 Raptor

Mission: Combat fighter

Crew: One

Cost: $142 million

Length: 62 feet, 1 inch

Wingspan: 44 feet, 6 inches

Speed: Mach 2

The Air Force’s newest fighter combines stealth, speed, maneuverability and integrated avionics. The Air Force says the F-22 cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.

B-2 Spirit

Mission: Conventional and nuclear weapon bomber

Crew: Two pilots

Cost: $1.157 billion (FY 1998 dollars)

Length: 69 feet

Wingspan: 172 feet

Speed: High subsonic

With its composite materials, special coatings and flying wing design, the B-2 is a stealth aircraft that can fly globally. Its combat effectiveness was proven in Kosovo by flying non-stop from the U.S. base there and back. It has supported operations in Afganistan and Iraq. The Boeing Company is on the contractor team.

CV-22 Osprey

Mission: Long range infiltration of troops, exfiltration and resupply for special operations.

Crew: Four (pilot, co-pilot, two flight engineers)

Cost: $89 million (2005 dollars)

Length: 57 feet, 4 inches

Wingspan: 84 feet, 7 inches

Speed: 277 mph

With its tiltrotor engines, the Osprey combines the vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing of a helicopter with the long-range capabilities of a turbo-prop plane. It can carry 24 to 32 troops or 10,000 pounds of cargo.

C-17 Globemaster III

Mission: Rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo

Crew: Three (Pilot, co-pilot, loadmaster)

Cost: $202.3 million (in FY 1998 dollars)

Length: 174 feet

Wingspan: 169 feet, 10 inches

Speed: 450 knots

The C-17 is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. Pierce County residents are very familiar with it because it’s the workhorse of McChord Air Force Base. It has been flying in support of both military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

F-16 (F-16D) Fighting Falcon

Mission: Highly maneuverable multi-role fighter

Crew: One or two pilots

Cost: $14.6-$18.8 million (FY 1998 dollars)

Length: 49 feet, 5 inches

Wingspan: 32 feet, 8 inches

Speed: 1,500 mph

The F-16 is a compact fighter proven in air-to-air and air-to-surface attacks. It can fly in all weather. There are one-seat and two-seat models. Deployed in the Gulf War in 1991, it flew more sorties than any other aircraft. Since 9/11 in has flown thousands of Homeland Security and overseas war zone missions.

Air Force Reserve Jet Car

Mission: Fun, entertainment

Crew: One driver

Car: 2,200 pound Mustang

Power: Westinghouse J34-48 jet engine

Speed: 400 mph

It looks like a long, low toy, but the big jet engine sticking out of the back says “Stand Back!” When driver Bill Braack, a member of the Air Force Reserve for 20 years, cranks it, the jet car can hit top speed in eight seconds. Braack can beat air show performers foolish enough to try to match their planes against him. He even gives them a head start.

Sources: U.S. Air Force Fact Sheets, U.S. Air Force ReserveCompiled by News Tribune staff writer Mike Archbold