List compiled from Markosun combat avionics research and technical data base.
Modern Jet Fighters are the key to controlling the battlefield. Since the introduction of the P-51 Mustang in WWII the U. S. has always put the upmost emphasis on air superiority. If you control the air, you control the ground.
Modern Fighters are developed with cutting edge state of the art technology. From stealth designs, advanced engines and pitch axis thrust vectoring. Also new helmet mounted targeting displays make these jets more lethal. But pilot training is still a major factor.
The U. S. air force, navy and marines practice more than any other military air arm in the world. They have the financial resources to gas up the jets and keep the pilots practicing air to air combat on a regular basis. The western Europeans and Japanese pilots also have comprehensive training. The Russians have some of the best pilots in the world, but budget constraints don’t allow them to train as much as they would like. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force of China only provides extra training to the elite pilots that fly their most advanced fighters such as the J-10.
Therefore many factors come into play when determining the best Fighter Jets in the World.
Move forward to the top ten list:
Number 10
F-18 E/F Super Hornet (USA)
Maximum speed: Mach 1. 8+ (1, 190 mph, 1, 900 km/h) at 40, 000 ft (12, 190 m)
Range: 1, 275 nmi (2, 346 km) clean plus two AIM-9s
Combat radius: 390 nmi (449 mi, 722 km) for interdiction mission
Ferry range: 1, 800 nmi (2, 070 mi, 3, 330 km)
Service ceiling: 50, 000+ ft (15, 000+ m)
Wing loading: 92. 8 lb/ft² (453 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 0. 93
f-18
Number 9
J-10 (People’s Republic of China)
Maximum speed: Mach 1. 9 at altitude, Mach 1. 2 at sea level
g-limits: +9/-3 g (+88/-29 m/s², +290/-97 ft/s²)
Combat radius:
On hi-lo-hi mission: 2, 540 km (1, 370 nautical miles) with 4, 000lb/1, 814kg bombload and two air-to-air missiles
On lo-lo-lo mission: 1, 310 km (710 nautical miles with 4, 000lb/1, 814kg bombload and two air-to-air missiles
Maximum range (without refueling): 3, 400 km (2, 113 mi) ()
Service ceiling: 18, 000 m (59, 055 ft)
Wing loading: 335 kg/m² (64 lb/ft²)
Number 8
Dassault Rafale (France)
Maximum speed:
High altitude: Mach 2 (1, 290 knots)
Low altitude: 1, 390 km/h, 750 knots
Range: 3, 700+ km (2, 000+ nmi)
Combat radius: 1, 852+ km (1, 000+ nmi) on penetration mission
Service ceiling: 16, 800 m (55, 000 ft)
Rate of climb: 304. 8+ m/s (1, 000+ ft/s)
Wing loading: 326 kg/m² (83 1/3 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 1. 13
Number 7
F-16 E Fighting Falcon Block 60 (USA)
Maximum speed:
At sea level: Mach 1. 2 (915 mph, 1, 470 km/h)
At altitude: Mach 2+ (1, 500 mph, 2, 414 km/h)
Combat radius: 340 mi (295 nm, 550 km) on a hi-lo-hi mission with six 1, 000 lb (450 kg) bombs
Ferry range: 2, 280 NM (2, 620 mi, 4, 220 km) with drop tanks
Service ceiling: 60, 000+ ft (18, 000+ m)
Rate of climb: 50, 000 ft/min (254 m/s)
Wing loading: approx 40 lb/ft² (430 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 1. 095
Fighting Falcons in Flight
Number 6
Mig-35 (Russia)
Maximum speed: Mach 2. 25 (2, 400 km/h, 1, 491 mph) at altitude
Range: 2, 000 km (1, 240 mi)
Ferry range: 3, 100 km (1, 930 mi) with 3 external fuel tanks
Service ceiling: 17, 500 m (57, 400 ft)
Rate of climb: 330 m/s (65, 000 ft/min)
Thrust/weight: 1. 03
Number 5
Su-27 (Russia)
Maximum speed: Mach 2. 35 (2, 500 km/h, 1, 550 mph) at altitude
Range: 3, 530 km (2, 070 mi) at altitude; (1, 340 km / 800 mi at sea level)
Service ceiling: 18, 500 m (62, 523 ft)
Rate of climb: 300 m/s (64, 000 ft/min)
Wing loading: 371 kg/m² (76 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 1. 09
Number 4
F-15 C/D Eagle (USA)
Maximum speed:
High altitude: Mach 2. 5+ (1, 650+ mph, 2, 660+ km/h)
Low altitude: Mach 1. 2 (900 mph, 1, 450 km/h)
Combat radius: 1, 061 nmi (1, 222 mi, 1, 967 km) for interdiction mission
Ferry range: 3, 450 mi (3, 000 nmi, 5, 550 km) with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks
Service ceiling: 65, 000 ft (20, 000 m)
Rate of climb: >50, 000 ft/min (254 m/s)
Wing loading: 73. 1 lb/ft² (358 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 1. 12 (-220), 1. 30 (-229)
f-15
Number 3
Su-35 (Russia)
Maximum speed: Mach 2. 25 (2, 410 km/h, 1, 500 mph) at altitude
Range: 3, 600 km (1, 940 nmi); (1, 580 km, 850 nmi near ground level)
Ferry range: 4, 500 km (2, 430 nmi) with external fuel tanks
Service ceiling: 18, 000 m (59, 100 ft)
Rate of climb: >280 m/s (>55, 100 ft/min)
Wing loading: 408 kg/m² (84. 9 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 1. 14
.
su-35
Number 2
Eurofighter Typhoon (U. K., Germany, Italy, Spain)
Maximum speed:
At altitude: Mach 2+ (2, 495 km/h, 1, 550 mph)
At sea level: Mach 1. 2 (1470 km/h / 913. 2 mph)
Supercruise: Mach 1. 1-1. 5
Range: 2, 900 km (1, 840 mi)
Combat radius:
Ground attack, lo-lo-lo: 601 km (373 nmi)
Ground attack, hi-lo-hi: 1, 389 km (863 nmi)
Air defence with 3-hr CAP: 185 km (115 nmi)
Air defence with 10-min loiter: 1, 389 km (863 mi)
Ferry range: 3, 790 km (2, 300 mi)
Service ceiling: 19, 810 m (65, 000 ft)
Rate of climb: >315 m/s (62, 000 ft/min)
Wing loading: 307 kg/m² (63 lb/ft²)
RAF No 11 Squadron Typhoon at Green Flag, USA
Number 1
F-22 Raptor (USA)
Maximum speed:
At altitude: Mach 2. 25 (1, 500 mph, 2, 410 km/h)
Supercruise: Mach 1. 82 (1, 220 mph, 1, 963 km/h)
Range: 1, 600 nmi (1, 840 mi, 2, 960 km) with 2 external fuel tanks
Combat radius: 410 nmi (471 mi, 759 km)
Ferry range: 2, 000 mi (1, 738 nmi, 3, 219 km)
Service ceiling: 65, 000 ft (19, 812 m)
Wing loading: 77 lb/ft² (375 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 1. 08 (1. 26 with loaded weight & 50% fuel)
Maximum g-load: -3. 0/+9. 0 g
Not on the top ten list, but worthy of mention is the SU-30 MKI from the Indian Air Force
Modern Jet Fighters are the key to controlling the battlefield. Since the introduction of the P-51 Mustang in WWII the U. S. has always put the upmost emphasis on air superiority. If you control the air, you control the ground.
Modern Fighters are developed with cutting edge state of the art technology. From stealth designs, advanced engines and pitch axis thrust vectoring. Also new helmet mounted targeting displays make these jets more lethal. But pilot training is still a major factor.
The U. S. air force, navy and marines practice more than any other military air arm in the world. They have the financial resources to gas up the jets and keep the pilots practicing air to air combat on a regular basis. The western Europeans and Japanese pilots also have comprehensive training. The Russians have some of the best pilots in the world, but budget constraints don’t allow them to train as much as they would like. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force of China only provides extra training to the elite pilots that fly their most advanced fighters such as the J-10.
Therefore many factors come into play when determining the best Fighter Jets in the World.
Move forward to the top ten list:
Number 10
F-18 E/F Super Hornet (USA)
Maximum speed: Mach 1. 8+ (1, 190 mph, 1, 900 km/h) at 40, 000 ft (12, 190 m)
Range: 1, 275 nmi (2, 346 km) clean plus two AIM-9s
Combat radius: 390 nmi (449 mi, 722 km) for interdiction mission
Ferry range: 1, 800 nmi (2, 070 mi, 3, 330 km)
Service ceiling: 50, 000+ ft (15, 000+ m)
Wing loading: 92. 8 lb/ft² (453 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 0. 93
f-18
Number 9
J-10 (People’s Republic of China)
Maximum speed: Mach 1. 9 at altitude, Mach 1. 2 at sea level
g-limits: +9/-3 g (+88/-29 m/s², +290/-97 ft/s²)
Combat radius:
On hi-lo-hi mission: 2, 540 km (1, 370 nautical miles) with 4, 000lb/1, 814kg bombload and two air-to-air missiles
On lo-lo-lo mission: 1, 310 km (710 nautical miles with 4, 000lb/1, 814kg bombload and two air-to-air missiles
Maximum range (without refueling): 3, 400 km (2, 113 mi) ()
Service ceiling: 18, 000 m (59, 055 ft)
Wing loading: 335 kg/m² (64 lb/ft²)
Number 8
Dassault Rafale (France)
Maximum speed:
High altitude: Mach 2 (1, 290 knots)
Low altitude: 1, 390 km/h, 750 knots
Range: 3, 700+ km (2, 000+ nmi)
Combat radius: 1, 852+ km (1, 000+ nmi) on penetration mission
Service ceiling: 16, 800 m (55, 000 ft)
Rate of climb: 304. 8+ m/s (1, 000+ ft/s)
Wing loading: 326 kg/m² (83 1/3 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 1. 13
Number 7
F-16 E Fighting Falcon Block 60 (USA)
Maximum speed:
At sea level: Mach 1. 2 (915 mph, 1, 470 km/h)
At altitude: Mach 2+ (1, 500 mph, 2, 414 km/h)
Combat radius: 340 mi (295 nm, 550 km) on a hi-lo-hi mission with six 1, 000 lb (450 kg) bombs
Ferry range: 2, 280 NM (2, 620 mi, 4, 220 km) with drop tanks
Service ceiling: 60, 000+ ft (18, 000+ m)
Rate of climb: 50, 000 ft/min (254 m/s)
Wing loading: approx 40 lb/ft² (430 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 1. 095
Fighting Falcons in Flight
Number 6
Mig-35 (Russia)
Maximum speed: Mach 2. 25 (2, 400 km/h, 1, 491 mph) at altitude
Range: 2, 000 km (1, 240 mi)
Ferry range: 3, 100 km (1, 930 mi) with 3 external fuel tanks
Service ceiling: 17, 500 m (57, 400 ft)
Rate of climb: 330 m/s (65, 000 ft/min)
Thrust/weight: 1. 03
Number 5
Su-27 (Russia)
Maximum speed: Mach 2. 35 (2, 500 km/h, 1, 550 mph) at altitude
Range: 3, 530 km (2, 070 mi) at altitude; (1, 340 km / 800 mi at sea level)
Service ceiling: 18, 500 m (62, 523 ft)
Rate of climb: 300 m/s (64, 000 ft/min)
Wing loading: 371 kg/m² (76 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 1. 09
Number 4
F-15 C/D Eagle (USA)
Maximum speed:
High altitude: Mach 2. 5+ (1, 650+ mph, 2, 660+ km/h)
Low altitude: Mach 1. 2 (900 mph, 1, 450 km/h)
Combat radius: 1, 061 nmi (1, 222 mi, 1, 967 km) for interdiction mission
Ferry range: 3, 450 mi (3, 000 nmi, 5, 550 km) with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks
Service ceiling: 65, 000 ft (20, 000 m)
Rate of climb: >50, 000 ft/min (254 m/s)
Wing loading: 73. 1 lb/ft² (358 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 1. 12 (-220), 1. 30 (-229)
f-15
Number 3
Su-35 (Russia)
Maximum speed: Mach 2. 25 (2, 410 km/h, 1, 500 mph) at altitude
Range: 3, 600 km (1, 940 nmi); (1, 580 km, 850 nmi near ground level)
Ferry range: 4, 500 km (2, 430 nmi) with external fuel tanks
Service ceiling: 18, 000 m (59, 100 ft)
Rate of climb: >280 m/s (>55, 100 ft/min)
Wing loading: 408 kg/m² (84. 9 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 1. 14
.
su-35
Number 2
Eurofighter Typhoon (U. K., Germany, Italy, Spain)
Maximum speed:
At altitude: Mach 2+ (2, 495 km/h, 1, 550 mph)
At sea level: Mach 1. 2 (1470 km/h / 913. 2 mph)
Supercruise: Mach 1. 1-1. 5
Range: 2, 900 km (1, 840 mi)
Combat radius:
Ground attack, lo-lo-lo: 601 km (373 nmi)
Ground attack, hi-lo-hi: 1, 389 km (863 nmi)
Air defence with 3-hr CAP: 185 km (115 nmi)
Air defence with 10-min loiter: 1, 389 km (863 mi)
Ferry range: 3, 790 km (2, 300 mi)
Service ceiling: 19, 810 m (65, 000 ft)
Rate of climb: >315 m/s (62, 000 ft/min)
Wing loading: 307 kg/m² (63 lb/ft²)
RAF No 11 Squadron Typhoon at Green Flag, USA
Number 1
F-22 Raptor (USA)
Maximum speed:
At altitude: Mach 2. 25 (1, 500 mph, 2, 410 km/h)
Supercruise: Mach 1. 82 (1, 220 mph, 1, 963 km/h)
Range: 1, 600 nmi (1, 840 mi, 2, 960 km) with 2 external fuel tanks
Combat radius: 410 nmi (471 mi, 759 km)
Ferry range: 2, 000 mi (1, 738 nmi, 3, 219 km)
Service ceiling: 65, 000 ft (19, 812 m)
Wing loading: 77 lb/ft² (375 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 1. 08 (1. 26 with loaded weight & 50% fuel)
Maximum g-load: -3. 0/+9. 0 g
Not on the top ten list, but worthy of mention is the SU-30 MKI from the Indian Air Force
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