The Most Successful Bomber, Ranked

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

Updated on Apr 22, 2024 07:53

In the realm of military aviation, the effectiveness of bombers has been a topic of heated debate and analysis among experts and enthusiasts alike. Estimating the success of these powerful aircraft not only deepens understanding but also stirs a sense of connection to historic events. Ranking these formidable machines helps clarify which models had the biggest impact in their time. By participating in this ranking, you contribute to a community-driven evaluation, where each vote helps paint a clearer picture of historical military prowess. This crowd-sourced approach not only increases the accuracy of the rankings but also engages users in a shared exploration of aviation history. Your vote is crucial in helping determine which bomber stands out among the rest.

What Is the Most Successful Bomber?

1

49
votes
Staff Sgt. Bob Simons · Public domain

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

Boeing

The B-52 has been in service since the 1950s and is still used by the United States Air Force today. Its long-range capabilities and ability to carry a variety of weapons make it a versatile bomber.
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 4 of 10 in Most advanced bomber in the world
2

33
votes
United States Air Force · Public domain

Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit

Northrop Grumman Corporation

The B-2 Spirit is a stealth bomber that was introduced in the 1990s. Its ability to evade detection and deliver precision strikes make it a valuable asset to the United States military.
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 1 of 10 in Most advanced bomber in the world
3

12
votes
Royal Air Force official photographer · Public domain

Avro Lancaster

The Lancaster was a British bomber used extensively during World War II. It was known for its durability and ability to carry heavy payloads.
The Avro Lancaster is a British heavy bomber aircraft that was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. It is one of the most famous and iconic bombers of the war, primarily known for its role in the night bombing campaign against German industrial targets. The Lancaster had a distinctive twin-boom tail design and was powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, which provided it with excellent performance and carrying capacity.

Wingspan: 102 feet (31 meters)

Length: 69 feet 4 inches (21.03 meters)

Height: 20 feet 6 inches (6.25 meters)

Empty Weight: 36,900 pounds (16,733 kilograms)

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 72,000 pounds (32,659 kilograms)
Avro Lancaster in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular Airfix model
4

12
votes
Airwolfhound · CC BY-SA 2.0

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Boeing

The B-17 was another bomber used by the United States during World War II. Its ability to withstand heavy damage and still complete missions made it a popular choice among pilots.
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps. It became one of the most iconic and successful bombers of World War II, known for its ruggedness, long-range capability, and heavy bombing capacity.

Crew: 10

Length: 74 ft 4 in (22.66 m)

Wingspan: 103 ft 9 in (31.62 m)

Height: 19 ft 1 in (5.82 m)

Maximum Speed: 287 mph (462 km/h)
5

9
votes
USN · Public domain

Tupolev Tu-95

Andrei Tupolev

The Tu-95 is a Soviet-era bomber that is still in service with the Russian military. Its long-range capabilities and ability to carry nuclear weapons make it a formidable weapon.
The Tupolev Tu-95, also known as the Bear, is a long-range strategic bomber developed by the Soviet Union. It is one of the most successful bomber aircraft in history.

First Flight: 12 November 1952

Wingspan: 50.04 meters

Length: 49.50 meters

Height: 13.53 meters

Maximum Speed: 920 km/h
6

17
votes
Handley Page Halifax

Handley Page Limited

The Halifax was a British bomber used during World War II. It was known for its ability to carry heavy payloads and was used in a variety of missions, including bombing raids and transport.
The Handley Page Halifax was a four-engined heavy bomber used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II. It was primarily designed to target German industries and infrastructure, participating in numerous strategic bombing raids throughout the war. The Halifax was well-regarded for its versatility, reliability, and its capability to sustain heavy damage and still return safely to base.

First Flight: 25 October 1939

Length: 23.74 m (77 ft 10 in)

Wingspan: 31.80 m (104 ft 4 in)

Height: 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in)

Empty Weight: 16,590 kg (36,570 lb)
7

5
votes
Tequask · CC BY-SA 4.0

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

The B-24 was another bomber used by the United States during World War II. Its long-range capabilities and ability to carry heavy payloads made it a popular choice for bombing missions.
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was a long-range heavy bomber used primarily by the United States and Allied forces during World War II. It was designed to carry a large payload and had a longer range than its contemporaries. The aircraft played a crucial role in various missions including strategic bombing, maritime patrol, and transport.

Wingspan: 110 ft 0 in (33.53 m)

Length: 67 ft 2 in (20.47 m)

Height: 18 ft 0 in (5.49 m)

Max Speed: 290 mph (467 km/h)

Cruising Speed: 215 mph (346 km/h)
8

6
votes
Adrian Pingstone · Public domain

Vickers Valiant

Vickers-Armstrongs

The Valiant was a British bomber used during the Cold War. It was known for its ability to carry nuclear weapons and was used in a variety of strategic missions.
The Vickers Valiant was a British four-engine, high-altitude strategic bomber that served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the 1950s and 1960s. It was the first of the V-bombers, a series of three aircraft designed to carry out nuclear deterrent missions in the Cold War era.

First flight: 18 May 1951

Introduction: 1955

Role: Strategic bomber

Crew: 4

Length: 34.91 m (114 ft 6 in)
9

5
votes
General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark

General Dynamics

The F-111 was a multi-role fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. Its ability to carry a variety of weapons and deliver precision strikes made it a valuable asset in combat.
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is a supersonic, medium-range interdictor and tactical strike aircraft. It was designed to meet the requirements of the United States Air Force (USAF) for a versatile and highly capable bomber.

First flight: December 21, 1964

Length: 73 ft 6 in (22.4 m)

Wingspan: 63 ft 0 in (19.2 m)

Height: 17 ft 1 in (5.2 m)

Maximum speed: Mach 2.5 (1,650 mph)
10

4
votes
Dornier Do 17

Dornier Flugzeugwerke

The Do 17 was a German bomber used during World War II. It was known for its speed and maneuverability, which made it difficult for enemy fighters to shoot down.
The Dornier Do 17 was a World War II bomber aircraft produced by the German manufacturer Dornier. It was known for its distinctive slim and sleek design, earning it the nickname 'Flying Pencil'. The Do 17 played a significant role in the early stages of the war, particularly during the Blitzkrieg operations.

Role: Bomber

Manufacturer: Dornier Flugzeugwerke

First flight: 23 November 1934

Introduction: 1937

Crew: 4

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Ranking factors for successful bomber

Effectiveness

The success of a bomber should be determined by its ability to effectively carry out its mission, which is usually to destroy or damage enemy targets.
Range

The range of the bomber is important as it determines how far it can fly without refuelling. A longer range allows the bomber to reach more targets and stay in the air for longer.
Payload capacity

The amount of bombs or weapons a bomber can carry and drop on enemy targets is also an important factor in determining its success.
Survivability

Bombers need to be able to survive enemy attacks and return to their base. The ability to withstand enemy fire and other forms of attack is therefore a critical factor in determining the success of a bomber.
Speed

A faster bomber can evade enemy air defences and get to its target more quickly, increasing its chances of success.
Maneuverability

The ability of the bomber to change course, evade enemy fire, and return to friendly territory is important in achieving mission success.
Technology and innovation

The use of advanced technology and innovative designs in building a bomber is also an important factor that can determine its success. For example, stealth technology allows bombers to evade enemy radar, making them more effective in accomplishing their missions.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful bomber. 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!

Statistics

1032 views
150 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

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.

More information on most successful bomber

As warfare has evolved over the years, so too has the technology and design of bombers. From the heavy bombers of World War II to the supersonic bombers of today, these aircraft have played a crucial role in military strategy and force projection. But which bomber can be considered the most successful? There are many factors to consider when answering this question, such as the bomber's range, payload, speed, and maneuverability. Additionally, the success of a bomber can be measured by its performance in various conflicts, as well as its impact on military operations and national security. Some of the most notable bombers in history include the B-52 Stratofortress, known for its versatility and longevity, and the B-2 Spirit, a stealth bomber that can penetrate heavily defended airspace. Other contenders include the Avro Lancaster, which played a pivotal role in the bombing campaign against Germany in World War II, and the Tupolev Tu-160, a Russian bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Ultimately, the answer to what is the most successful bomber may vary depending on one's criteria and perspective. Nevertheless, these aircraft continue to play a critical role in modern warfare and remain a topic of fascination among military enthusiasts and historians alike.