| The United States military has seven categories of | | | | where they could not land and refuel. |
| aircrafts. They are: fighter, bomber, tanker, trainer, | | | | Trainer Aircrafts |
| transport, ground attack, and surveillance. Sometimes | | | | A trainer aircraft does just that, it trains pilots, |
| the same model aircrafts used for fighter operations | | | | navigators, and flight crews. Many trainers are two |
| will also be used for ground attack or even | | | | seat versions of combat crafts, and if needed can |
| surveillance. | | | | quickly be converted to be used in time of need. |
| Fighter Aircrafts | | | | Transport Aircrafts |
| A fighter is used mainly for attacking other aircrafts. | | | | Transport aircrafts are also known as cargo aircrafts |
| Fighters are small, fast and easily maneuvered. | | | | and are designed to carry goods and troops. This type |
| Fighters were developed during World War I in | | | | of aircraft has a many wheels that allow it to land in |
| response the use of aircrafts to drop bombs. The | | | | different locations, and has a large fuselage. |
| earliest fighters were wooden planes with only | | | | Ground Attack Aircrafts |
| machine guns for weapons. Now fighters have | | | | This type of aircraft has numerous names including; |
| missiles and a radar to track a target. | | | | attack aircraft, fighter-bomber, tactical fighter, tank |
| Bomber Aircrafts | | | | buster and dive-bomber. It is made to be used close to |
| A bomber is used to attack ground targets by | | | | the ground supporting ground operations. They are |
| dropping bombs. Within this category there are | | | | used to attack tanks and other targets in battle unlike |
| different types of bombers: | | | | the bombers which are used to attack strategic |
| ·Strategic Bombers-this type of bomber is | | | | targets. This type of aircraft is usually signified by an |
| used for long range missions against targets such as | | | | "A" prefix. These planes are usually fighter planes or |
| supply bases, bridges, roads, shipyards and other | | | | light bombers that have been moved to another use. |
| targets that will hurt an enemies ability to continue | | | | Surveillance Aircraft |
| fighting | | | | This aircraft is used to watch enemy movements. |
| ·Tactical Bombers-this type is used in | | | | They usually have no weapons. The first |
| conjunction with ground troops and is meant for | | | | reconnaissance flight was performed in 1912, and the |
| shorter range missions | | | | practice quickly caught on during World War I. Today |
| ·Fighter Bombers-this type is used to fight both | | | | there are unmanned surveillance aircraft that are |
| in the air and to hit ground targets | | | | remotely controlled, known as UAVs in development. |
| Tanker Aircrafts | | | | Military aircraft are a vital part of military efforts and |
| This type of aircraft carries fuel and is equipped to | | | | will continue to be used and developed despite low |
| refuel other aircrafts while in flight. This allows for other | | | | funding. |
| aircrafts to complete longer missions even in areas | | | | |