As of late, the Boeing Company has been making headlines. Between safety concerns over the 737 Max jet and delays due to a helium leak in the Starliner spaceship — the company has been dealing with one unfortunate incident after the other. This negative press is not common for a multi-billion dollar company known for its innovative products.
Boeing — a company widely associated with its defense contracts (but also has its hands in commercial airlines, aerospace, etc) — has fueled battlefields with fighter aircraft and bombers for roughly a century now. One of the most important events in military history, the dropping of the atomic bomb, was carried out by one of Boeing’s aircraft. Out of all combat aircraft Boeing produced over the years, many have gone on to gain iconic status. (These are 26 iconic aircraft built by Lockheed Martin.)
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is one of Boeing’s most iconic fourth generation fighter jets. It originally entered service in 1999 and still makes up a sizable portion of the U.S. Air Force’s combat aircraft. The Super Hornet can hit a top speed of nearly 1,200 mph, making it ideal for reconnaissance and interception. (These companies built World War II’s iconic planes, guns, tanks and ships.)
To identify the most iconic combat aircraft manufactured by Boeing, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of Boeing aircraft from Military Factory, an online database of arms, vehicles, and aircraft used by militaries worldwide. We ordered these aircraft chronologically and included supplemental information regarding the type of aircraft, total units produced, top speed, and armament.
Why This Matters
24/7 is covering Boeing’s most iconic combat aircraft because Boeing is a multi billion dollar company that has a significant presence in the military and the economy. Boeing’s innovations in defense and security have changed geopolitical relations and shifted the balance of power throughout history. Not only do Boeing’s products and technologies affect the economy through sales, they impact communities in 65 different countries through the creation of jobs.
Scroll below to see the most iconic combat aircraft built by Boeing you won’t guess:
PW-9 (FB-5 / Model 15)
F2B (Model 69)
The F2B (Model 69) is a carrierborne fighter biplane. Introduced in 1928, there were 33 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 158 mph and it was equipped with 12.7mm Browning M2 heavy machine guns, .30 caliber Browning M1919 medium machine guns, and conventional drop bombs.
F4B / P-12
The F4B / P-12 is a carrierborne pursuit fighter biplane. Introduced in 1929, there were 586 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 189 mph and it was equipped with .30 Browning M1919 medium machine guns, .50 caliber Browning heavy machine gun, and conventional drop bombs
B-17 Flying Fortress
The B-17 Flying Fortress is a heavy bomber aircraft. Introduced in 1937, there were a whopping 12,731 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 287 mph and it was equipped with 12.7mm Browning heavy machine guns, and conventional drop bombs.
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a high-altitude long-range strategic heavy bomber. Introduced in 1943, there were 3,970 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 358 mph and it was equipped with 12.7mm Browning M2 heavy machine guns, 20mm M2 automatic cannon, conventional drop bombs, and nuclear bombs.
B-50 Superfortress
The B-50 Superfortress is a heavy bomber/long-range reconnaissance aircraft. Introduced in 1948, there were 370 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 380 mph and it was equipped with a 20mm cannon 12.7mm machine guns and conventional drop bombs.
Washington (B-29)
The Washington (B-29) is a high-altitude long-range strategic heavy bomber. Introduced in 1950, there were only 83 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 224 mph and it was equipped with 12.7mm Browning M2 heavy machine guns, conventional drop bombs, and nuclear bombs.
B-47 Stratojet
The B-47 Stratojet is a strategic medium/heavy bomber aircraft. Introduced in 1951, there were 2,039 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 600 mph and it was equipped with a 20mm cannons, conventional drop bombs, and nuclear bombs.
B-52 Stratofortress
The B-52 Stratofortress is a high-altitude long-range strategic heavy bomber. Introduced in 1955, there were 744 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 595 mph and it was equipped with air-launched cruise missiles, free-fall nuclear bombs, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and joint direct-attack munitions.
AC-130H Spectre / AC-130U Spooky
The AC-130H Spectre / AC-130U Spooky is a close air-support force protection gunship. Introduced in 1972, there were 21 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 300 mph and it was equipped with 20mm gatling-style automatic cannons, 40mm automatic cannon, and 105mm field gun.
F-15 Eagle
The F-15 Eagle is an air superiority/multirole fighter aircraft. Introduced in 1976, there were 1,500 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 1,875 mph and it was equipped with a 20mm M61A1 automatic cannon, Sidewinder missiles, Sparrow missiles, Maverick missiles, HARM missiles, laser-guided bombs, and cluster bombs.
F-15J (Peace Eagle)
The F-15J (Peace Eagle) is an air superiority fighter aircraft. Introduced in 1981, there were 223 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 1,656 mph and it was equipped with a 20mm M61 Vulcan gatling-style cannon, Sidewinder missiles, Sparrow missiles, conventional drop bombs, and CBU cluster bombs.
F/A-18 Hornet
The F/A-18 Hornet is a multirole carrierborne strike fighter aircraft. Introduced in 1983, there were 1,480 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 1,190 mph and it was equipped with a 20mm M61 Vulcan gatling-style cannon, Sidewinder missiles, Sparrow missiles, Maverick missiles, Harpoon missiles, HARM missiles, and laser-guided bombs.
CF-18 Hornet
The CF-18 Hornet is a multirole jet-powered fighter aircraft. Introduced in 1983, there were 138 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 1,128 mph and it was equipped with a 20mm M61A1 Vulcan gatling-style cannon, Sidewinder missiles, AMRAAM missiles, Sparrow missiles, Maverick missiles, rocket pods, laser-guided bombs, and conventional drop bombs.
AV-8B Harrier II
The AV-8B Harrier II is a short take-off and vertical landing strike aircraft. Introduced in 1985, there were 500 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 665 mph and it was equipped with a 25mm GAU-12U Equalizer cannon, laser-guided bombs, Maverick missiles, Harpoon missiles, Sidewinder missiles, and Napalm.
B-1 Lancer
The B-1 Lancer is a long-range strategic heavy bomber aircraft. Introduced in 1986, there were 104 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 833 mph and it was equipped with general purpose bombs, CBU cluster munitions, freefall nuclear bombs, and air-launched cruise missiles.
F-15E Strike Eagle
The F-15E Strike Eagle is a strike fighter aircraft. Introduced in 1988, there were 420 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 1,653 mph and it was equipped with a 20mm M61A1 internal gatling-style cannon, Sparrow missiles, Sidewinder missiles, AMRAAM missiles, Maverick missiles, and laser-guided bombs.
F/A-18 Super Hornet
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a carrierborne strike fighter aircraft. Introduced in 1999, there were 615 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 1,187 mph and it was equipped with a 20mm M61A1 Vulcan automatic cannon, Sidewinder missiles, AMRAAM missiles, Harpoon missiles, Maverick missiles, Rockeye II cluster bombs, and laser-guided bombs.
F-22 Raptor
The F-22 Raptor is an air dominance fighter aircraft. Introduced in 2005, there were 195 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 1,599 mph and it was equipped with a 20mm internal automatic cannon, Sidewinder missiles, AMRAAM missiles, GBU-32 joint direct munitions, and air launched cruise missiles.
F-15EX Eagle II
The F-15EX Eagle II is an air superiority/multirole fighter aircraft. Introduced in 2021, there were 144 units produced. This aircraft touts a top speed of 1,864 mph and it was equipped with a 20mm M61A1 Vulcan gatling gun/cannon, Sidewinder missiles, and various air-to-air missiles.
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