top 10 aircraft.

Top 10 Lists: The Best Jet Fighters



May 6, 2005: 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. – Harold C. Hutchison ([email protected])

Any thoughts or additions or deletions from listing.


(mod edit to remove caps from title)

[edit on 9-5-2005 by pantha]

Bar the Dassault Rafale and the Typhoon, how come every aircraft there was US built?

Very, Very bias article i thought.

I can agree with most but not to sure on the number one spot???

Only time will tell!!!

Originally posted by MickeyDee
Bar the Dassault Rafale and the Typhoon, how come every aircraft there was US built?

Very, Very bias article i thought.

I can agree with most but not to sure on the number one spot???

Only time will tell!!!

I counted 4 - Rafale, Flanker, Grippen and Typhoon.

Originally posted by RichardPrice

I counted 4 - Rafale, Flanker, Grippen and Typhoon.

My bad, sorry!!!

Still not too sure on the placing of the F-22.

I dont see what is so marvellous about the Raptor when the Typhoon can practically match it at a fraction of the cost!

Maybe the F-14 could go as it's nearly out of service.
The Mirage 2000 in the latest form would certainly cause an upset?
Maybe putting in more powerful engines into the Tornado ADV?

IMO the F-35 will outshine the F-22 because of its sheer versatility. (Although the wrong F-35 was picked!!!)

And i would place the F-15C Eagle higher up the list! The F-22, F-35 and Typhoon are all relativley unproven compared to the phenomenal performance of the F-15C in the past!

Originally posted by MickeyDee
And i would place the F-15C Eagle higher up the list! The F-22, F-35 and Typhoon are all relativley unproven compared to the phenomenal performance of the F-15C in the past!

I agree with this - everyone seems to worship these aircraft which have yet to seriously be tested in combat conditions. Its like buying a car just by reading the makers sales brochures and not any third party independant testing - you have no idea if the maker is blowing smoke up his own arse.

Originally posted by RichardPrice
I agree with this - everyone seems to worship these aircraft which have yet to seriously be tested in combat conditions. Its like buying a car just by reading the makers sales brochures and not any third party independant testing - you have no idea if the maker is blowing smoke up his own arse.

Agreed!

If the F-22 is number one in 15 yrs time then i might listen.
Until then the F-15C does it for me!

I think Jezza put the F-22 on the top because F-22 in which much more advanced techniques were applied compare with some EuroFighters. I also suspect that he put the EF-2000 behind the Rafale is right way.

I think Jezza put the F-22 on the top because F-22 in which much more advanced techniques were applied compare with some EuroFighters.

But he was asking the best not the most technologically advanced.

The F-22 may be the best on paper, but whats saying it goes into a 'dogfight' and they loose 5 planes.
That never happened to the F-15C so for me the 15 would be the better jet!

Rafale better because of the carrier version, More flexible to possible operators.

Where r u gonna put the JSF when it enters service???

The F-15 if it could be given state of the art engines and avionics would be an awsome machine.
JSF when operational would be a great candidate and don't forget the latest russian aircraft

The F-15 if it could be given state of the art engines and avionics would be an awsome machine.

Pity it wasnt a bit more stealthy or the USAF could have just built the same frame as the F-15 and changed the engines to save money!

As for the JSF.....i think that it may not be as capable at air 2 air combat but it will totally outshine the raptor due to the sheer versatility of it! The JSF will be able to fight anywhere on Earth because of its capabilities!

And which Russian jet do you mean???

The mig 1.44 or mig 1.42 would be an addition.

Did you consider that a fantasy also is a better one?

denial is an ugly thing guys and i think we all know THIS is the future.

style.......class.....and an evil presense in the air......striking fear in to the enemy!