Interceptors in The United States Air Force
See also: List of USAF Aerospace Defense Command Interceptor SquadronsFrom 1946 to 1980 the United States maintained a dedicated Aerospace Defense Command, consisting primarily of dedicated interceptors. Many post-war designs were of limited performance, including designs like the F-86D and F-89 Scorpion. In the late 1940s ADC started a project to build a much more advanced interceptor under the 1954 interceptor effort, which eventually delivered the F-106 Delta Dart after a lengthy development process. Further replacements were studied during the 1960s, but came to nothing as the USSR strengthened their strategic force with ICBMs. Hence, the F-106 ended up serving as the primary USAF interceptor into the 1980s. As it was retired, intercept missions were assigned to the contemporary F-15 and F-16 fighters, among their other roles. Presently, the F-22 is the USA's latest combat aircraft that serves in part as an interceptor.
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