War by air: the hardware: from bombers to missiles, the U.S. military arsenal has major tools of battle targeted at Afghanistan.

• Position: Brief Article

* B-52 STRATOFORTTRESS

A long-range bomber with a crew of five, the B-52 is capable of dropping or launching a wider array of U.S. weapons than any other plane. It can carry up to 70,000 pounds of bombs, including up to 20 precision-guided cruise missiles. The B-52, which has been in use since 1954, can fly at 650 mph and at altitudes up to 50,000 feet--higher than commercial aircraft. Since the B52 can be refueled in flight, its range is virtually unlimited.

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* B-1B LANCER

With its crew of four, the B-1B is capable of flying intercontinental missions without needing to refuel. It's also one of the fastest bombers in the U.S. arsenal, able to hit speeds of more than 900 mph. It is equipped with a Global Positioning System, a satellite navigational tool that allows it to track enemies, steer precisely toward targets, and map terrain without ground communication. The B-1B holds several world records for speed, payload, and distance.

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* B-2 SPIRIT

Sleek and sly, the two-person B-2 is the world's most expensive aircraft, costing $2.2 billion each. Prepared to deliver high-explosive or nuclear munitions at a moment's notice, the B-2 has massive firepower. It also has stealth features--technologies that make it less detectable by radar--which give it greater freedom to maneuver and attack in secret. But there have been problems with its radar-absorbing skin, which can be damaged by moisture and bad weather.

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* C-17 GLOBEMASTER III

The C-17, with a crew of three, is used to deliver material like bread, not bombs. It is a cargo and troop transport, able to carry a load of up to 170,000 pounds. On their first humanitarian aid missions in...