Operation Rolling Thunder, a massive U.S. bombing campaign in Vietnam, marked a significant escalation of American involvement in the war. Launched to stop North Vietnam from supporting the Viet Cong, the aerial attacks caused widespread damage, including civilian casualties. Some believe these types of attacks during the Vietnam War were effective in targeting military infrastructure, though U.S. assessments and later historians (e.g., Pentagon Papers, RAND reports) found that the campaign failed to achieve its strategic objectives and often strengthened North Vietnamese resolve. Additionally, they also led to controversy over their impact on non-combatants. (This is every American aircraft that fought in the Vietnam War.)
To identify the American bomber aircraft of the Vietnam War, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of American aircraft from Military Factory, an online database of arms, vehicles, and aircraft used in militaries worldwide. We ordered these bombers chronologically and included supplemental information from the Military Factory regarding the type of aircraft, year introduced, manufacturer, top speed, and armament.
This post was updated on October 22, 2025 to state that several assessments found the U.S. failed to achieve its strategic objectives in Vietnam, as well as to clarify the U.S. version of the English Electric.
Why Are We Covering This?
The Vietnam War was one of the first modern military conflicts to employ helicopters and fighter jets. As such, the tactics and strategies used throughout the conflict would be studied and refined for years to come. Understanding this facet of the conflict gives context to the overall conflict and provides insight into the evolution of military doctrine.
These are the American planes/bombers that fought in the Vietnam War:
PBY Catalina
- Type: Maritime patrol floatplane
- Manufacturer: Consolidated Aircraft
- Year introduced: 1936
- Top speed: 179 mph
- Armament: 7.62mm machine guns, 12.7mm machine guns, torpedoes, anti-ship mines, depth charges, maximum bombload of 4,000 lbs
- Note: Retired from frontline U.S. service by 1957. Used very limitedly early in Vietnam for rescue
A-26 / B-26 Invader
- Type: Heavy attack aircraft
- Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft
- Year introduced: 1944
- Top speed: 355 mph
- Armament: 12.7mm machine guns, guided bombs, rocket pods
B-57 Canberra
- Type: Medium bomber/reconnaissance aircraft
- Manufacturer: Martin
- Year introduced: 1951
- Top speed: 580 mph
- Armament: 20mm cannons, 7.62mm machine gun pods, 51mm rocket pods, AS-30L air-to-surface missiles, drop bombs
P5M Marlin
- Type: Maritime aircraft (limited Vietnam use)
- Manufacturer: Glenn L. Martin Company
- Year introduced: 1952
- Top speed: 252 mph
- Armament: Torpedoes, drop bombs, depth charges, naval mines
B-57 Canberra
- Type: Tactical bomber/reconnaissance aircraft
- Manufacturer: Glenn L. Martin Company
- Year introduced: 1954
- Top speed: 597 mph
- Armament: 12.7mm Browning M2 machine guns, 20mm M39 cannons, conventional drop bombs, unguided rockets
B-52 Stratofortress
- Type: High-altitude, long-range strategic heavy bomber
- Manufacturer: Boeing
- Year introduced: 1955
- Top speed: 595 mph
- Armament: ALCM cruise missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, AGM-142A air-to-surface missiles, free-fall nuclear bombs
A-3 Skywarrior
- Type: Strategic bomber aircraft
- Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft
- Year introduced: 1956
- Top speed: 610 mph
- Armament: 20mm M3L cannons, conventional drop bombs
B-66 / RB-66 Destroyer
- Type: Tactical light bomber/reconnaissance aircraft
- Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft
- Year introduced: 1956
- Top speed: 634 mph
- Armament: 20mm cannons, conventional drop bombs
A-6 Intruder
- Type: Carrierborne heavy strike aircraft
- Manufacturer: Grumman
- Year introduced: 1963
- Top speed: 644 mph
- Armament: Mk-84 cluster bombs, Maverick missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, HARM anti-radiation missiles, Sparrow missiles, Paveway II/III laser-guided bombs
B-26K Counter Invader (A-26B)
- Type: Ground attack aircraft
- Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft
- Year introduced: 1966
- Top speed: 322 mph
- Armament: 12.7mm machine guns, gun pods, cannon pods, drop bombs, rocket pods
F-111 Aardvark
- Type: Long-range strategic medium bomber aircraft/tactical strike aircraft
- Manufacturer: General Dynamics
- Year introduced: 1967
- Top speed: 1,650 mph
- Armament: 20mm M61 Vulcan internal cannon, laser-guided bombs, HARM anti-radiation missiles, Sidewinder missiles, conventional drop bombs
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