Stealth aircraft are designed to avoid detection and aid in modern military operations.
Although they make up less than 20 percent of the fighter forces in the U.S. services,1 there were just over 700 warplanes that qualify as “stealth” worldwide as of early 2020,2 and the number has risen since then.
These aircraft are renowned for their advanced technology and cutting-edge designs that make them hard to spot on radar.
1. F-35 Lightning II
- Number of Aircraft in Service: Over 900
- Countries in Use: United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Norway, Denmark, and several other allied nations.
- Top Speed: Approximately Mach 1.6 (about 1,200 mph)
- Type: Multirole Stealth Fighter
The F-35 Lightning II is a family of stealth multirole fighters developed by Lockheed Martin. It comes in three variants: the F-35A (conventional takeoff and landing), F-35B (short takeoff and vertical landing), and F-35C (carrier-based).
It is designed for various missions including air superiority, ground attack, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
2. Shenyang Flanker B+ (J-11)
- Number of Aircraft in Service: Around 200
- Countries in Use: China
- Top Speed: Approximately Mach 2.0 (about 1,320 mph)
- Type: Multirole Stealth Fighter
The J-11 is a Chinese multirole fighter based on the Russian Su-27 Flanker. The J-11B variant features improved avionics and stealth capabilities.
While not fully stealth, the J-11B has advanced radar and electronic warfare systems, enhancing its combat effectiveness.
3. F-22 Raptor
- Number of Aircraft in Service: Around 180
- Countries in Use: United States
- Top Speed: Approximately Mach 2.0 (about 1,320 mph)
- Type: Air Superiority Stealth Fighter
The F-22 Raptor, developed by Lockheed Martin and Boeing, is renowned for its superior air dominance capabilities.
It combines stealth, supercruise (sustained supersonic flight), and advanced avionics to dominate in aerial combat. The aircraft’s design emphasizes agility and high-speed performance.
4. Shenyang Red Eagle (J-16)
- Number of Aircraft in Service: Estimated over 100
- Countries in Use: China
- Top Speed: Approximately Mach 2.0 (about 1,320 mph)
- Type: Multirole Stealth Fighter
The J-16 is an advanced multirole fighter developed from the J-11 platform. It features enhanced stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and a variety of weapon systems.
The J-16 is designed for both air superiority and ground attack missions, incorporating cutting-edge technology for improved performance.
5. Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel
- Number of Aircraft in Service: Fewer than 50
- Countries in Use: United States
- Top Speed: Approximately 300 mph
- Type: Stealth Reconnaissance Drone
The RQ-170 Sentinel is a stealth reconnaissance drone developed by Lockheed Martin. It is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, with a focus on avoiding radar detection.
The RQ-170 gained fame for its role in reconnaissance missions and its involvement in high-profile operations.
6. Ryan AQM-91 Firefly
- Number of Aircraft in Service: Approximately 50 (mostly retired)
- Countries in Use: United States (retired)
- Top Speed: Approximately Mach 0.9 (about 700 mph)
- Type: Stealth Reconnaissance Drone
The Ryan AQM-91 Firefly was a reconnaissance drone developed for the U.S. Air Force during the Cold War.
It was designed for high-speed, high-altitude reconnaissance missions and had limited stealth features to evade radar detection. It was retired in the late 1980s and replaced by more advanced drones.
7. Chengdu Black Eagle (J-20)
- Number of Aircraft in Service: Over 50
- Countries in Use: China
- Top Speed: Approximately Mach 2.0 (about 1,320 mph)
- Type: Stealth Fighter Jet
The Chengdu J-20, also known as the Black Eagle, is a Chinese fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. It features advanced stealth technology, supercruise capability, and is designed for both air superiority and strike missions.
The J-20 is part of China’s efforts to modernize its air force with cutting-edge technology.
8. B-2 Spirit
- Number of Aircraft in Service: 20
- Countries in Use: United States
- Top Speed: Approximately Mach 0.95 (about 560 mph)
- Type: Stealth Bomber
The B-2 Spirit, developed by Northrop Grumman, is a strategic stealth bomber known for its distinctive flying wing design. It is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads.
The B-2 is designed for deep penetration into heavily defended enemy airspace and is equipped with advanced stealth and avionics systems to evade detection.
9. Hongdu Gongji-11 (GJ-11)
- Number of Aircraft in Service: Information is limited, but it is believed to be in small numbers
- Countries in Use: China
- Top Speed: Approximately Mach 0.8 (about 600 mph)
- Type: Stealth Combat Drone
The Hongdu GJ-11, also known as the Sharp Sword, is a stealth combat drone developed by China. It is designed for precision strikes and reconnaissance missions.
The GJ-11 features stealth characteristics to reduce radar cross-section and is part of China’s advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities.
10. Northrop Grumman RQ-180
- Number of Aircraft in Service: Exact number is classified, but believed to be limited
- Countries in Use: United States
- Top Speed: Estimated to be around Mach 0.7 to 0.8 (about 530-600 mph)
- Type: Stealth Reconnaissance Drone
The Northrop Grumman RQ-180 is a highly classified stealth reconnaissance drone developed for the U.S. Air Force.
It is designed for high-altitude, long-endurance missions with a focus on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The RQ-180 is known for its advanced stealth technology, making it difficult to detect by radar.
11. Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie
- Number of Aircraft in Service: Limited, with several prototypes and test units
- Countries in Use: United States
- Top Speed: Approximately Mach 0.9 (about 700 mph or 1,100 km/h)
- Type: Stealth Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
The Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie is an experimental stealth UAV developed for the U.S. Air Force as part of its Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) program.
The XQ-58 is designed to be a cost-effective, high-performance drone that can perform a variety of roles, including reconnaissance and strike missions.
12. Sukhoi Felon (Su-57)
- Number of Aircraft in Service: Limited, with around 10 to 20 units delivered to the Russian Air Force
- Countries in Use: Russia
- Top Speed: Approximately Mach 2.0 (about 1,320 mph)
- Type: Stealth Multirole Fighter
The Sukhoi Su-57, also known as the Felon, is a fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter developed by Russia. It is designed for air superiority and ground attack missions.
The Su-57 features advanced avionics, stealth technology, and supercruise capability. Its design emphasizes maneuverability and high-speed performance.
13. Sukhoi Checkmate (Su-75)
- Number of Aircraft in Service: None yet, as it is still in the prototype phase
- Countries in Use: Russia (intended)
- Top Speed: Estimated to be around Mach 1.8 (about 1,200 mph)
- Type: Stealth Fighter Jet
The Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate is a new-generation stealth fighter jet under development by Sukhoi. It is intended to be a more affordable, single-engine counterpart to the Su-57.
The Checkmate aims to offer advanced stealth features, modern avionics, and high agility for a variety of missions.
14. B-21 Raider
- Number of Aircraft in Service: None yet, as it is still in development
- Countries in Use: United States (planned)
- Top Speed: Estimated to be subsonic, likely around Mach 0.85 (about 560 mph)
- Type: Stealth Bomber
The B-21 Raider is the next-generation stealth bomber being developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Air Force. It is designed to replace the aging B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers.
The B-21 will feature advanced stealth technology to penetrate sophisticated air defenses and is intended to carry both conventional and nuclear payloads.
These planes with their impressive features make them key players in securing airspace and achieving strategic goals around the world.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
