The Most Iconic Lockheed Martin Aircraft Ever Built

For decades, Lockheed Martin has played a major role in shaping modern aviation, producing some of the most advanced and recognizable aircraft ever built. From cutting-edge stealth fighters to high-altitude reconnaissance planes, the company’s designs have pushed the limits of speed, engineering, and military technology. Many of these aircraft have not only transformed air combat but have also become symbols of innovation in aerospace history.

Looking at the most iconic aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin offers a glimpse into the evolution of aviation technology and the engineering breakthroughs that made these machines possible. Each aircraft reflects a unique moment in aerospace development, showcasing advances in stealth, range, and performance.

In this slideshow, History Computer takes a closer look at some of the most iconic aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin and the innovations that helped redefine modern flight.

Understanding the military aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin is important for a few reasons. These aircraft represent significant advancements in aerospace technology and innovation, and they have ultimately shaped what we know of modern air combat and transportation. These aircraft also are crucial to the overall defense strategy of the United States and its allies in maintaining global stability.

• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
• Year introduced: 1939
• Top speed: 414 mph
• Armament: 20mm automatic cannon, 12.7mm Browning heavy machine gun, aerial rockets, conventional drop bombs

• Type: Multirole aircraft
• Year introduced: 1939
• Top speed: 249 mph
• Armament: Browning machine guns, conventional drop bombs, depth charges

• Type: Bomber aircraft
• Year introduced: 1942
• Top speed: 322 mph
• Armament: 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns, torpedoes, depth charges

• Type: Electronic warfare / transport aircraft
• Year introduced: 1945
• Top speed: 346 mph
• Armament: None

• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
• Year introduced: 1945
• Top speed: 577 mph
• Armament: 12.7mm machine guns, conventional drop bombs, HVAR rockets

• Type: Interceptor aircraft
• Year introduced: 1950
• Top speed: 585 mph
• Armament: 12.7mm Browning M3 machine guns, Mighty Mouse aerial rockets

• Type: High-altitude surveillance aircraft
• Year introduced: 1955
• Top speed: 475 mph
• Armament: None

• Type: Transport aircraft
• Year introduced: 1956
• Top speed: 373 mph
• Armament: None

• Type: Interceptor aircraft
• Year introduced: 1958
• Top speed: 1,320 mph
• Armament: 20mm M61 Vulcan automatic cannon, Sidewinder missiles, Sparrow missiles, Selenia Aspide missiles, conventional drop bombs, rocket pods

• Type: Anti-submarine warfare aircraft
• Year introduced: 1962
• Top speed: 466 mph
• Armament: Torpedoes, depth charges, Harpoon missiles, SLAM-ER missiles, Maverick missiles

• Type: High-altitude strategic reconnaissance stealth aircraft
• Year introduced: 1963
• Top speed: 2,212 mph
• Armament: None

• Type: High-altitude strategic reconnaissance stealth aircraft
• Year introduced: 1966
• Top speed: 2,274 mph
• Armament: None

• Type: Strategic heavy-lift transport aircraft
• Year introduced: 1970
• Top speed: 578 mph
• Armament: None

• Type: Anti-submarine warfare aircraft
• Year introduced: 1974
• Top speed: 506 mph
• Armament: Torpedoes, depth charges, harpoon missiles, rocket pods, conventional drop bombs, Maverick missiles

• Type: Lightweight multirole fighter
• Year introduced: 1978
• Top speed: 1,317 mph
• Armament: 20mm M61A1 automatic cannon, Sidewinder missiles, AMRAAM missiles, Maverick missiles, Penguin missiles, runway denial bombs, cluster bombs, guided bombs

• Type: Stealth strike aircraft
• Year introduced: 1982
• Top speed: 646 mph
• Armament: Laser-guided bombs, conventional drop bombs, Maverick missiles, HARM anti-radiation / anti-radar missiles, Sidewinder missiles

• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
• Year introduced: 1997
• Top speed: 671 mph
• Armament: 20mm Colt Mk 12 internal cannons, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, drop bombs, rocket pods

• Type: Tactical medium transport aircraft
• Year introduced: 1999
• Top speed: 416 mph
• Armament: None

• Type: Lightweight multirole fighter
• Year introduced: 2004
• Top speed: 1,501 mph
• Armament: 20mm internal cannon, short-range air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, rocket pods

• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
• Year introduced: 2005
• Top speed: 1,599 mph
• Armament: 20mm internal cannon, Sidewinder missiles, AMRAAM missiles, cruise missiles, guided bombs

• Type: Transport / special forces aerial refueler
• Year introduced: 2011
• Top speed: 416 mph
• Armament: None

• Type: Transport / search and rescue / aerial refueling aircraft
• Year introduced: 2013
• Top speed: 364 mph
• Armament: None

• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
• Year introduced: 2016
• Top speed: 1,199 mph
• Armament: 25mm GAU-12/U, Sidewinder missiles, AIM missiles, guided bombs, Brimstone missiles, Stormshadow missiles, cluster bombs

• Type: Ground attack / close-air support special mission aircraft
• Year introduced: 2017
• Top speed: 416 mph
• Armament: 30mm ATK GAU-23/A, 105mm M102 field howitzer, AGM-176 Griffin missiles, GBU-44/B Viper Strike guided bombs, Hellfire guided missiles

• Type: Fourth-generation fighter
• Year introduced: 2017
• Top speed: 917 mph
• Armament: 20mm M61A1 Vulcan, Sidewinder missiles, AMRAAM missiles, guided bombs, rocket pods

• Type: Medium-lift presidential / VIP helicopter
• Year introduced: 2021
• Top speed: 190 mph
• Armament: None