14 Lockheed Martin Military Aircraft That Shaped Aviation History

Lockheed Martin, a titan of the aerospace industry, has been at the forefront of military aviation for over a century. With a staggering 122,000 employees worldwide and arms sales reaching nearly $60 billion,¹ this defense giant has consistently delivered aircraft that have redefined warfare. 

From the earliest days of flight to the cutting-edge designs of today, Lockheed Martin’s aircraft have redefined warfare. Here are 14 of Lockheed Martin’s most iconic military aircraft, marvels of engineering that have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in the skies.

1. SR-71 Blackbird

The SR-71 Blackbird is a legendary reconnaissance aircraft that holds the record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft. It could fly at speeds over Mach 3 and altitudes above 85,000 feet, making it virtually untouchable by enemy defenses.

The Blackbird’s sleek design and cutting-edge technology made it an icon of the Cold War era.

• Developed by Lockheed’s Skunk Works division
• First flight in 1964, retired in 1998
• Only 32 SR-71s were ever built
• Set the coast-to-coast speed record in 1 hour 4 minutes on its final flight

2. F-117 Nighthawk

The F-117 Nighthawk was the world’s first operational stealth aircraft. Its unique angular shape and radar-absorbent coating made it nearly invisible to radar, allowing it to penetrate heavily defended airspace undetected.

The Nighthawk played a crucial role in the Gulf War and other conflicts before being retired in 2008.

• Developed in secrecy by Lockheed’s Skunk Works
• First flight was in 1981, publicly unveiled in 1988
• A total of 64 F-117s were built
• Nicknamed the “Wobblin’ Goblin” due to its unstable flight characteristics at low speeds

3. F-22 Raptor

The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation air superiority fighter that combines stealth, speed, and agility. It’s designed to dominate the skies and protect friendly forces from enemy aircraft and missiles.

The Raptor’s advanced avionics and thrust-vectoring engines make it one of the most maneuverable fighters ever built.

• Entered service with the US Air Force in 2005
• Can cruise at supersonic speeds without afterburners (supercruise)
• Has a top speed of Mach 2.25 (1,500 mph)
• A total of 195 F-22s were built before production ended in 2011

4. F-35 Lightning II

The F-35 Lightning II is a family of fifth-generation multirole fighters designed for the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, as well as several international partners. It comes in three variants: the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL), and the F-35C carrier-based variant.

The F-35 combines advanced stealth, integrated avionics, and powerful sensors to provide unmatched situational awareness.

• Development began in 1992 under the Joint Strike Fighter program
• Over 890 F-35s have been delivered worldwide as of April 2023
• The F-35B variant can take off from short runways and land vertically like a helicopter
• Lockheed Martin plans to deliver over 3,000 F-35s through 2044

5. C-130 Hercules

The C-130 Hercules is a versatile four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft that has been in continuous production since 1954. It can carry up to 42,000 pounds of cargo or 92 combat troops and operate from rough, dirt strips.

The C-130 has been used for a wide variety of missions, including troop and cargo transport, aerial refueling, search and rescue, and scientific research.

• Over 2,500 C-130s have been built in more than 70 variants
• The latest model, the C-130J Super Hercules, entered service in 1999
• C-130s have been operated by more than 60 nations worldwide
• The C-130 can airdrop loads up to 42,000 pounds or use its high-flotation landing gear to land and deliver cargo on rough, dirt strips

6. U-2 Dragon Lady

The U-2 Dragon Lady is a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft that has been in service since 1955. It’s designed to fly at altitudes over 70,000 feet, allowing it to gather intelligence and take high-resolution photos while staying out of reach of most enemy defenses.

The U-2 played a crucial role in the Cold War, providing valuable intelligence on Soviet military capabilities.

• Developed by Lockheed’s Skunk Works division in just 8 months
• Has a wingspan of 103 feet, almost twice the length of its 63-foot fuselage
• Can carry a variety of sensors and cameras for reconnaissance missions
• Still in active service with the US Air Force and NASA

7. P-38 Lightning

The P-38 Lightning was a unique twin-engine fighter aircraft that served in World War II. Its distinctive twin-boom design and powerful armament made it an effective fighter, bomber escort, and ground-attack aircraft.

The P-38 was the only American fighter in continuous production throughout the war and was used in all theaters of operation.

• First flown in 1939, over 10,000 P-38s were built
• Top speed of 414 mph, faster than most other fighters of its time
• Equipped with four .50-caliber machine guns and a 20mm cannon
• Famous P-38 pilots include Richard Bong, the top-scoring American ace of WWII

8. F-104 Starfighter

The F-104 Starfighter was a supersonic interceptor aircraft that served with the US Air Force and several NATO countries during the Cold War. Its sleek, rocket-like design and powerful engine allowed it to reach speeds of Mach 2 and climb rapidly to intercept enemy bombers.

The F-104 also set several speed and altitude records in its time.

• First flown in 1954, over 2,500 F-104s were built
• Could climb to 50,000 feet in just 5 minutes
• Equipped with a powerful M61 Vulcan 20mm rotary cannon
• Nicknamed the “missile with a man in it” due to its small, aerodynamic design

9. F-16 Fighting Falcon

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multirole fighter aircraft that has been in service since 1978. It’s known for its agility, versatility, and relatively low cost compared to other modern fighters. The F-16 has been widely exported and serves in the air forces of 25 nations, with over 4,600 aircraft built.

• Originally designed as a lightweight air-to-air day fighter
• Can perform a wide range of missions, including air-to-air combat, ground attack, and reconnaissance
• Has a top speed of over Mach 2 and a combat radius of 340 miles
• The F-16 has been involved in numerous conflicts, including the Gulf War, the Balkans, and the war in Afghanistan

10. C-5 Galaxy

The C-5 Galaxy is a massive strategic airlift aircraft that has been in service with the US Air Force since 1970. It’s one of the largest military aircraft in the world, capable of carrying oversized cargo like tanks, helicopters, and even other aircraft.

The C-5 has been a vital asset for rapidly deploying troops and equipment globally.

• Can carry up to 270,000 pounds of cargo or 350 combat-equipped troops
• Has a range of over 7,000 miles with a full payload
• Features a nose and aft cargo doors for easy loading of large equipment
• The modernized C-5M Super Galaxy has upgraded engines and avionics for improved performance and reliability

11. S-3 Viking

The S-3 Viking was a carrier-based anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft that served with the US Navy from 1974 to 2009. It was designed to track and destroy enemy submarines using a variety of sensors and weapons, including torpedoes and depth charges.

The S-3 also performed reconnaissance, surface surveillance, and aerial refueling missions.

• Powered by two turbofan engines, giving it a top speed of 450 knots
• Equipped with a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) boom for detecting submerged submarines
• Could carry up to 4,900 pounds of weapons, including torpedoes, mines, and anti-ship missiles
• The S-3 played a key role in the Cold War, monitoring Soviet submarine activity

12. P-3 Orion

The P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop aircraft designed for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare.

It has been in service with the US Navy and several international operators since the 1960s, and has also been adapted for a variety of other missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and scientific research.

• Based on the Lockheed L-188 Electra commercial airliner
• Has a range of over 4,000 miles and can loiter for extended periods
• Equipped with advanced sensors, including radar, sonar, and electronic surveillance systems
• Over 750 P-3s have been built, with many still in service today

13. F-94 Starfire

The F-94 Starfire was an early jet-powered interceptor aircraft that served with the US Air Force in the 1950s. It was designed to counter the threat of Soviet bombers during the early years of the Cold War, and was one of the first operational aircraft equipped with an afterburning jet engine.

• Developed from the Lockheed T-33 trainer aircraft
• Had a top speed of 640 mph and a service ceiling of 51,800 feet
• Equipped with four 20mm cannons and could carry up to 24 unguided rockets
• The F-94C variant introduced a nose-mounted radar for all-weather interception capabilities

14. F-80 Shooting Star

The F-80 Shooting Star was the first operational jet fighter to enter service with the US Air Force, paving the way for the jet age in military aviation. It was designed during World War II but did not see combat until the Korean War, where it proved its effectiveness against Soviet-built MiG-15 fighters.

• First flew in 1944 and entered service in 1945
• Powered by a single General Electric J33 turbojet engine, giving it a top speed of 600 mph
• Equipped with six .50-caliber machine guns and could carry up to 2,000 pounds of bombs or rockets
• The F-80 set numerous speed and distance records in the late 1940s, showcasing the potential of jet aircraft

From the designs of the early jet age to the cutting-edge stealth technology of today, Lockheed Martin has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in military aviation.

These 14 iconic aircraft represent just a fraction of the company’s contributions to aerospace history, but they stand as a testament to the ingenuity, skill, and dedication of the men and women who have worked to keep America and its allies safe and secure for over a century.

Source:

1. Statista