Military aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor or the B-2 Spirit aren’t technically invisible on radar, but their stealth technology makes them harder to detect and track. A stealth aircraft’s general design effectively reduces radar and thermal detection.
According to Forbes, no country operates more stealth aircraft than the U.S. The technology was primarily developed in the 1970s by Denys Overholser, a mathematician working for Lockheed Aircraft. The now-retired American Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk ground-attack fighter officially became the first aircraft with operational stealth technology in 1983. (This is every plane in the U.S. military.)
It is believed that the U.S. and Israel are the only countries that have used stealth aircraft in combat. The U.S. used them in the invasion of Panama, the first Gulf War, the Kosovo Conflict, the War in Afghanistan, the War in Iraq, and the 2011 military intervention in Libya. However, China, Iran, and Russia have their own stealth aircraft. (This is every plane in Russia’s air force.)
To identify the military aircraft that can’t be detected by the enemy, 24/7 Wall St. consulted a number of resources, including the U.S. Airforce and individual manufacturers for aircraft specifications. Aircraft are ordered by first flight date.
Click here to see 12 stealth planes used by global superpowers.
SR-71 Blackbird
> Nation: United States
> Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin
> First flight: Dec. 22, 1964
[in-text-ad]
F-117 Nighthawk
> Nation: United States
> Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin
> First flight: Jun. 18, 1981
B-2 Spirit
> Nation: United States
> Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman
> First flight: Jul. 17, 1989
F-22 Raptor
> Nation: United States
> Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin
> First flight: Sept. 7, 1997
[in-text-ad-2]
F-35 Lightning II
> Nation: United States
> Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin
> First flight: Dec. 15, 2006
RQ-170 Sentinel
> Nation: United States
> Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin
> First flight: 2007
[in-text-ad]
Sukhoi Su-57
> Nation: Russia
> Manufacturer: United Aircraft Corporation
> First flight: Jan. 29, 2010
24/7 Wall St.
Chengdu J-20
> Nation: China
> Manufacturer: Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group
> First flight: Jan. 11, 2011
RQ-180
> Nation: United States
> Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman
> First flight: 2013
[in-text-ad-2]
Sharp Sword
> Nation: China
> Manufacturer: Hongdu Aviation Industry Group
> First flight: Nov. 21, 2013
Shahed 171 simorgh
> Nation: Iran
> Manufacturer: Aerospace Force of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution
> First flight: 2014
[in-text-ad]
Wind Shadow
> Nation: China
> Manufacturer: Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group
> First flight: 2014
In 20 Years, I Haven’t Seen A Cash Back Card This Good
After two decades of reviewing financial products I haven’t seen anything like this. Credit card companies are at war, handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers.
A good cash back card can be worth thousands of dollars a year in free money, not to mention other perks like travel, insurance, and access to fancy lounges.
Our top pick today pays up to 5% cash back, a $200 bonus on top, and $0 annual fee. Click here to apply before they stop offering rewards this generous.
Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.
You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.