Which is the best fighter jet?

Question

I think the F15 is the best fighter jet in the world. Does anyone else have an opinion on the subject?

Answer 1

Jet Li

Answer 2

F-15 is old hat and no longer anywhere near the top of the table.

Its a tough choice between the F-22 and the Typhoon (Eurofighter). The F-22 is a good combat fighter, its faster than the Typhoon, although the Typhoon is a bloody good jet that has amazing agility for something that can fill more roles than the F-22. The Typhoon also costs less than half than an F-22.

In terms of which is more technically advanced....the Typhoon wins hands down. Not many people know that the weapons system, HUD, stability control systems are all from the same supplier for both planes and the Typhoon has the more advanced versions. It can carry more bombs and operate better as a Beyond Visual Range fighter.

I suppose the best way to decide which is the best is to look at sales. The Typhoon has 620 orders, the F-22 has only 330. I would buy the Eurofighter if it were my money and then with the 60million$ i had saved in not buying the F-22, I would buy another Eurofighter....

Answer 3

Lockheed Martin's F22 Raptor The deadliest fighter jet goes operational.
March 2006

The F22 Raptor air superiority fighter is the meanest airplane in the skies, and now its' coming to a TFR near you.


It’s official: The United States Air Force has certified the world’s only "fifth generation" fighter jet as operationally ready. The Lockheed Martin F-22 combines supersonic speed (including supersonic cruise without afterburner) with stealth and advanced targeting, weaponry and defense capabilities to make it hands down the most advanced fighter jet on the planet. With plans to field 183 Raptors in all, the Air Force has already begun to fly operational missions with the jet, including homeland defense missions, so you might see one any day now.

It wasn’t a short gestation period for the world’s best air superiority fighter. The need for a jet like the F-22 to replace the F-15 was first officially voiced by the Air Force in the early 1980s. But the first flight of the prototype YF-22 didn’t take place until 1990, while the first supersonic flight wouldn’t occur for another seven years.

While much of its performance remains classified, according to some reports, in aerial combat tests against F-15s and other frontline U.S. fighters, the

F-22 had a near perfect "kill record" and was never picked up by its foes’ radar during mock combat flights.

Such capabilities come at a price, though: The cost of each F-22, by some estimates, is around $125 million.

Answer 4

Yeah, I'm an old guy and to tell the truth those F-22 sound awesome! But you just have to love the old Sea Harriers of the 1980s.

They were at first, actually considered much inferior to the Argentinian Mirage III and Mirage V Daggers during the Falklands War. They were slower, less maneuverable, lower ceiling, less payload. Considering the the Argentinian Air force was extremely well trained and the Mirage was considered one of the best planes of its day, the world's military "experts" were expecting a complete British debacle in the Falklands air war.

Apparently NOBODY, outside of the British that is, had seemed to understand that the ability of a fighter jet to put THE BRAKES ON in mid air would have been such a dramatic advantage in combat!

The final score British Sea Harriers - 21

Argentinian Mirages - 0

(Yes, I know we are supposed to be talking about today's fighters, but it just had to be said!)

Answer 5

What are the ten best fighter aircraft out there, and which of these planes are better than the others at the top of the heap? Fighters have one primary mission: seize control of the air, and enable their side’s attack planes to get through while also preventing the opposing side from attacking friendly forces and bases. Many of these fighters have also proven themselves to be adept at other roles (ground attack, anti-ship) as well, but their primary purpose is to control the air.

10. The JAS.39 Gripen. This is a small single-seat fighter using the American F404 turbofan engine. This aircraft is capable of numerous missions (point-defense interceptor, ground attack fighter, and even anti-shipping). It is highly maneuverable, and is a worthy successor to the Draken and Viggen interceptors that Sweden has built. This is what the 1980s F-20 Tigershark (an early competitor of the F-16 and F-18) could have been, had it not been stillborn.

9. F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. This is the ultimate Hornet, without the range limitations of the F/A-18A/B/C/D, and with two extra weapons pylons. This fighter is based on a proven design, and has even been used as a tanker with the premature retirement of the S-3 Viking. Sheer versatility – and improvement from the original make the Super Hornet’s place on this list a secure one.

8. F-15C Eagle. This is perhaps one of the last of the single-purpose aircraft. This plane has done one thing for 30 years (air-to-air combat), and done it well (over 100 kills to no losses). However, what is remarkable is the almost-untapped potential the airframe has as a ground-attack platform. The F-15E Strike Eagle has become a superb multi-role fighter. However, the F-15 has gotten long in the tooth for air superiority.

7. F-16C Fighting Falcon. This is a bird that has become a classic. Widely exported, and it has amassed a solid record. Still being built to special order for export customers, it not only has scored air-to-air kills in service with the United States, Israel, and Pakistan, but it is also one of the most numerous modern fighters in service today.

6. Su-27 Flanker. This was built to counter the F-15, and it has become one of the more feared aircraft out of Russia. Highly maneuverable, it is equipped and designed for a dogfight, it has been exported. The wide export market for this plane and its variants (the Su-30 in particular) is the primary reason for the F-22.

5. F-14D Tomcat. This is a plane that had aged like fine wine. Originally designed to face the Tu-22M3 Backfire bomber in protection of American carriers, it has become a carrier-launched version of the F-15E. Capable of long-range attacks using the AIM-54 Phoenix, the F-14 proved it was capable of dogfighting in two incidents with Libya (the U.S. Navy fighters scored four kills for no losses). This is a plane retiring before its time.

4. Eurofighter Typhoon. A low-observable multi-role fighter. It is fast, maneuverable, and carries a lot of air-to-air missiles. It also can be used for attack missions as well. This is a fighter that will be the backbone of at least four air forces (the UK, Spain, Germany, and Italy).

3. Dassault Rafale. Another European multi-role fighter with some stealth built in, this aircraft not only carries out the air-to-air and attack missions, it also comes in a naval version. Its first export order was recently signed – to Saudi Arabia. Equipped with French air-to-air missiles, it edges out the Eurofighter since its naval version could interest other countries who have carriers (Brazil and India come to mind).

2. F-35. This plane will be the new F-16 in ten years. Not only is this replacing the F-16, the A-10, the AV-8B, and some F/A-18s in U.S. service, but it will replace aircraft in other countries as well. Like the F-16, it will be produced in numbers. When it enters service, it will outclass many aircraft.

1. F/A-22 Raptor. This is the F-15C’s replacement. Entering service this year, it renders every other air-superiority aircraft obsolete. This is a plane that can not only outfly any other plane in the world, outrun any other plane in the world, and it can do so while remaining virtually unseen. The F-22 is a true heir to the F-15, and could do so in another fashion if Lockheed’s FB-22 proposal takes off.

Answer 6

It depends on the role that the jet is expected to perform. An aeroplane designed solely for air to air intercepts tends to be fairly useless at low level bombing runs! Some fighters can be designed with swing roles but there is usually a trade off that means a loss in effectiveness in one role or the other.

But since this is an opinion question, I'll throw in my two-penny's worth - and avoid using maunfacturer propoganda.........!!

Air superiority:

The F15 has been the one to beat in recent times but only because of the fact that in recent conflicts it has been up against markedly inferior opposition. The best air superiority fighter is the one with the best radar - it doesnt matter how agile the aeroplane is, if you can see the enemy on radar before he sees you.....you can blow him out of the sky before he knows about it. Stealth aircraft make this difficult, but nothing is completely invisible on radar and there are ways of detecting them. Therefore, the Eurofighter Typhoon gets my vote - astonishing performance and agility - the F22 is still behind in terms of development, but has to potential to out perform even the Typhoon once ready.

Close Air Support:

I'd normally pick the Harrier but the F16 gets my vote here. Has been the workhorse of numerous air forces for over a decade and is hugely capable fighter in many roles.

Strike Bomber:

Tornado GR4. No other aircraft can steam in under radar at 600mph, 50 ft off the deck and use precision ordanance against a target. An aging, but awesome weapon delivery platform.

Answer 7

The best; F-22 Raptor.
2nd best; Eurofighter Typhoon
3rd best S-37 Berkut.

The F-15 is an awesome aircraft, but it is dated in today's standard. It's design is around 30 years old. the above three aircraft could fly rings around the F-15. I've seen the Typhoon fly regularly, it is a fantastic aircraft. Extremely manoeuvrable. I've also seen the F-22 fly, even better than the Typhoon.


btw, ehc 11 has made a mistake, the Harrier isn't the only VSTOL aircrfat in the world, the YAK 141 is in use with the Russian Navy, and there is a VSTOL version of the JSF in production.

Answer 8

although many people said that the f22 is the best,i still think it is the boeing f15 strike eagle,i would choose fighter jets with 2 seaters than a single so thats why my favourite is still the f15.

Answer 9

yes, the best fighter in the world is most probably a contest between the Su-27 and Sea Harrier... both of which whill outmatch any jet in the USAF or US Navy...

but, that said... the Pilot is the Master of the Jet... thus, it's not only the tools that count but also how good the mind using the tool is....!!!

Nothing beats experience and cunning :) Nothing!

Answer 10

English Electric Lightning circa 1960s

Answer 11

F22 Raptor

As of 2005, the F-15 in all air forces has a combined kill record of 104 kills to zero losses in air combat.

I watched a special on testing the F22 and it was going up against 5 F15's in winning consistantly! Discovery channel.