The Most Advanced Bomber in the World, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the bomber you think is the most advanced!

Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:16

In the realm of military technology, the sophistication of bombers holds pivotal importance for national security. Analysts and strategists continuously monitor advancements to gauge which aircraft might best fulfill defense objectives while ensuring technological superiority. This assessment is not just for military professionals but also for enthusiasts and citizens who take an interest in their nation's security measures. By participating in ranking these outstanding aircraft, users contribute to a broader dialogue about technological advances and defense readiness. This process of evaluation and comparison provides a dynamic overview of where different countries stand in terms of aerospace innovation. Voting on these bombers allows participants to engage actively with the latest developments in military aviation, fostering a knowledgeable community around global defense technologies.

What Is the Most Advanced Bomber in the World?

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57
votes
United States Air Force · Public domain

Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit

Northrop Grumman Corporation

The B-2 Spirit is the most advanced bomber in the world with its stealth technology, advanced avionics, and long-range capabilities. It can carry conventional and nuclear weapons and is capable of penetrating heavily defended airspace undetected.
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is a stealth strategic bomber with low observable technology, designed for penetrating dense anti-aircraft defenses and conducting long-range missions. It is commonly referred to as the B-2 Stealth Bomber due to its advanced stealth capabilities.

First flight: July 17, 1989

Wingspan: 52.43 m (172 ft 0 in)

Length: 21.0 m (69 ft 0 in)

Height: 5.18 m (17 ft 0 in)

Empty weight: 52,436 kg (115,580 lb)
Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most successful bomber
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13
votes
Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway by U.S. Air Force · Public domain

Rockwell B-1 Lancer

The B-1 Lancer is a supersonic strategic bomber with variable-sweep wings and advanced avionics. It has a long-range and can carry a variety of ordnance.
The Rockwell B-1 Lancer is a supersonic variable-sweep wing, heavy bomber designed for the United States Air Force. It is commonly referred to as the B-1 bomber. It has the ability to fly at high speeds and altitudes, carry a large payload, and execute both low-level penetration and high-altitude bombing missions. The B-1 Lancer is known for its long-range capabilities and mission flexibility, making it a highly versatile strategic bomber.

Crew: 4

Length: 146 ft (44.5 m)

Wingspan: 137 ft (41.8 m) unswept, 79 ft (24.1 m) swept

Height: 34 ft (10.4 m)

Maximum speed: Mach 1.25 (950 mph, 1,529 km/h)
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26
votes
Andrei Shmatko · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tupolev Tu-160

Tupolev Design Bureau

The Tu-160 is a Russian supersonic strategic bomber, capable of carrying nuclear and conventional weapons. It has a range of over 7,000 miles and can fly at speeds of over Mach 2.
The Tupolev Tu-160, also known as the Blackjack, is a supersonic strategic bomber designed and manufactured by the Tupolev Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It is considered one of the most advanced bombers in the world.

Length: 54.1 meters (177.5 ft)

Wingspan: 55.7 meters (182.7 ft)

Height: 13.1 meters (43.0 ft)

Maximum Speed: Mach 2.05 (2,220 km/h, 1,380 mph)

Range: 12,300 km (7,643 mi)
Tupolev Tu-160 in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most advanced fighter jet in Russia
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9
votes
Staff Sgt. Bob Simons · Public domain

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

Boeing

The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic strategic bomber that has been in service since the 1950s. It has been upgraded over the years with advanced avionics and weapons systems.
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range strategic bomber developed by Boeing. It has been in service with the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s and is one of the most iconic and longest-serving bombers in history. The B-52 is designed to carry out diverse missions, including nuclear deterrence, conventional strike, and maritime patrol.

First Flight: April 15, 1952

Length: 159 feet, 4 inches (48.5 meters)

Wingspan: 185 feet (56.4 meters)

Height: 40 feet, 8 inches (12.4 meters)

Maximum Speed: 650 mph (1,046 km/h)
Boeing B-52 Stratofortress in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most successful bomber
5

22
votes
Alex Beltyukov · CC BY-SA 3.0

Sukhoi Su-34

Sukhoi

The Su-34 is a Russian fighter-bomber with advanced avionics and long-range capabilities. It can carry a variety of ordnance and has a range of over 2,000 miles.
The Sukhoi Su-34, also known by its NATO reporting name Fullback, is a highly advanced bomber aircraft developed by the Russian aerospace company Sukhoi. It was primarily designed to perform long-range precision strike missions, but also has the capability to conduct air superiority, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare operations.

Crew: 2

Length: 23.34 m

Wingspan: 14.7 m

Height: 6.09 m

Max Speed: 1,900 km/h
Sukhoi Su-34 in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most advanced fighter jet in Russia
6

11
votes
Alert5 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Chengdu J-20

The J-20 is a Chinese stealth fighter-bomber with advanced avionics and long-range capabilities. It is capable of carrying a variety of ordnance and has a range of over 1,200 miles.
Chengdu J-20 in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most advanced Chinese fighter jet
- Position 6 of 10 in Most advanced planes
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9
votes
Tim Felce (Airwolfhound) · CC BY-SA 2.0

Dassault Rafale

Dassault Aviation

The Rafale is a French multirole fighter-bomber with advanced avionics and long-range capabilities. It can carry a variety of ordnance and has a range of over 2,000 miles.
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, delta-wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. It is considered one of the most advanced planes in the world, featuring advanced avionics and weapons systems.

Length: 15.3 m

Wingspan: 10.8 m

Height: 5.3 m

Max takeoff weight: 24,500 kg

Max speed: 2,223 km/h
Dassault Rafale in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most advanced planes
8

11
votes
U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon · Public domain

F-15E Strike Eagle

McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing)

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a U.S. multirole fighter-bomber with advanced avionics and long-range capabilities. It can carry a variety of ordnance and has a range of over 2,000 miles.
The F-15E Strike Eagle is a multi-role, all-weather strike fighter aircraft designed for long-range, high-speed, precision strikes. It is an evolution of the F-15 Eagle and is considered one of the most advanced bombers in the world.

Crew: 2

Length: 19.43 m (63.7 ft)

Wingspan: 13.05 m (42.8 ft)

Height: 5.63 m (18.5 ft)

Max Takeoff Weight: 36,700 kg (81,000 lb)
9

3
votes
Jwnabd · CC BY-SA 3.0

Eurofighter Typhoon

Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH

The Typhoon is a European multirole fighter-bomber with advanced avionics and long-range capabilities. It can carry a variety of ordnance and has a range of over 2,000 miles.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, delta-wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by a consortium of European countries including the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. It is known for its high agility, advanced avionics, and heavy use of composite materials.

Length: 15.96m

Wingspan: 10.95m

Height: 5.28m

Empty weight: 11,000 kg

Max takeoff weight: 23,500 kg
Eurofighter Typhoon in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most overrated plane
- Position 5 of 10 in Most advanced planes
10

8
votes
Su-57

The Su-57 is a Russian fifth-generation fighter-bomber with advanced avionics and long-range capabilities. It is capable of carrying a variety of ordnance and has a range of over 2,000 miles.
The Su-57 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter jet designed and manufactured by the Russian aerospace company Sukhoi. It is also known as the T-50 and PAK FA. The Su-57 is intended to be a direct competitor to the American F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.

Maximum speed: 2,441 km/h

Range: 3,500 km

Ceiling: 20,000 m

Thrust vectoring: Yes

First flight: 29 January 2010

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Ranking factors for advanced bomber

Stealth Capability

The ability of the bomber to fly undetected, avoiding radar and other surveillance systems, is crucial for a successful mission. Stealth capability is a result of the aircraft's shape, materials, and other technologies employed.
Payload Capacity

The aircraft should have the ability to carry a significant number of weapons, including bombs and missiles, and deliver them accurately and efficiently to their targets. This includes both conventional and nuclear payloads.
Range

The operational range of the bomber should be sufficient to reach any potential target without the need for multiple refueling stops. Long range ensures the bomber's ability to perform missions across vast distances and project power globally.
Speed and Maneuverability

A high top speed and good maneuverability allow the bomber to penetrate enemy defenses quickly, reach its target, and return safely. This also helps to evade enemy fighters and missile defenses.
Advanced Avionics and Electronics

An advanced bomber should be equipped with cutting-edge avionics, sensors, communication systems, and electronic warfare equipment. This allows the aircraft to navigate and target enemies with high precision and stay ahead of emerging threats.
Survivability

The aircraft should be designed with features that increase its survivability in enemy airspace, such as countermeasures, radar-absorbing materials, and other protective systems.
Maintenance and Support

An advanced bomber should be relatively easy to maintain and support, ensuring a high level of combat readiness and cost-effectiveness.
Interoperability

The bomber should be able to integrate and communicate with other military assets, such as fighter jets, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, as well as ground and naval forces.
Network-Centric Warfare Capability

The aircraft should be able to operate as part of a larger network-centric warfare system, sharing information and coordinating with other assets in real-time to enhance situational awareness and increase combat effectiveness.
Future Growth Potential

The bomber should have the ability to adapt and upgrade as new technologies and threats emerge. This includes the capacity to integrate new weapons, sensors, and systems, ensuring the platform remains relevant and effective for years to come.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most advanced bomber in the world. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or bomb is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

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154 votes
10 ranked items

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A participant may cast an up or down vote for each bomb once every 24 hours. The rank of each bomb is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most advanced bomber in the world

Background Information: Bombers have been an integral part of military strategy since the beginning of aerial warfare. These aircrafts are designed to carry and drop bombs on enemy targets. Over the years, advancements in technology have led to the development of more advanced bombers that are capable of delivering more destructive payloads, while also incorporating stealth technology to evade detection. Today, the world's most advanced bomber is the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit. This stealth bomber is capable of penetrating deep into enemy territory undetected, thanks to its unique shape and design. It is also equipped with advanced radar and electronic countermeasures, making it difficult for enemy air defenses to track and target the aircraft. The B-2 Spirit is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads, making it a formidable weapon in any military arsenal. Despite its advanced capabilities, the B-2 Spirit is not the only advanced bomber in the world. Other notable contenders include the Russian Tupolev Tu-160 and the Chinese Xian H-20, both of which are currently in development. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that we will see even more advanced bombers in the future.