Fighter Jets

Fighter Jets

Fighter jets are the Air Force's greatest achievement. They came a long time from the first Messerschmitt Me 262 and now to the newest jet F47; they have evolved through time more than anything.

F-22 Raptor

The F-22 Raptor is an American twin-engine, single-seat,and a supersonic stealth fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force (USAF). The F-22 Raptor is a 5th-generation fighter jet, designed primarily for Air superiority, but also capable of ground attacks, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence missions. The F-22 features a low-observable design with radar-absorbing materials and internal weapons bays, making it difficult to detect on enemy radar. This allows it to operate effectively in contested environments. The Raptor can sustain supersonic speeds (Mach 1.5 or greater). This greatly expands its operational envelope in both speed and range. The F-22 fleet remains a critical component of U.S. air power and is undergoing continuous modernization, including new sensors, weapons integration (like the AIM-260 JATM), and capabilities for manned-unmanned teaming with collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) drones. It is expected to remain in service until it is succeeded by the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program around the 2030s. 

F-35 Lightning II

The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, and a multirole stealth fighter designed for a wide range of missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strike, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). It is the cornerstone of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps' future tactical aviation and is operated by numerous U.S. allies. The F-35's design, including its radar-absorbent coating, internal weapons bays, and specific geometric shaping, significantly reduces its radar cross-section, allowing it to operate in contested airspace undetected. The aircraft is often described as a supercomputer but with wings. It features a sophisticated suite of integrated sensors, including the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) and the Distributed Aperture System (DAS), which provide the pilot with 360-degree situational awareness and the ability to gather, process, and share data in real-time with other forces. The F-35 is a key example of international military cooperation, with nine initial partner countries involved in its development, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Australia. Other nations, such as Japan, South Korea, Israel, and Belgium, have also ordered the aircraft through the Foreign Military Sales program.

F-15 Eagle

The F-15 Eagle is a legendary twin-engine, all-weather American fighter jet, originally built for air superiority, boasting unparalleled maneuverability, speed, and firepower, with an unmatched combat record of 104 aerial victories and zero losses. Designed to dominate the skies, its powerful engines give it thrust greater than its weight, allowing vertical climbs. It can carry a vast array of weapons, including AMRAAMs, hypersonic missiles, and bunker busters.

Eurofighter Typhoon

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a European multinational twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft known for its exceptional agility and "swing-role" capabilities in combat. The Eurofighter Typhoon is in service with the air forces of nine nations, including the four core partner nations (the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain), as well as Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar. The aircraft first saw combat in 2011 during the military intervention in Libya with the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Italian Air Force.

Sukhoi Su-35

The Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-E/M) is a highly maneuverable, twin-engine, 4.5-generation multirole fighter jet developed from the Su-27 air defense fighter. Designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, it is one of the most advanced fighters in the Russian Air Force's current inventory. The aircraft is known for its exceptional supermaneuverability, achieved through its powerful Saturn AL-41F1S turbofan engines with thrust vectoring nozzles. The Su-35 can reach speeds in excess of Mach 2.25 and has a range of approximately 2,237 miles (3,600 km). The Su-35 entered service with the Russian Aerospace Forces in 2014 and has been deployed to Syria and Ukraine. It is a key component of Russia's air power and is also used by the People's Liberation Army Air Force.

Dassault Rafale

The Dassault Rafale (French: "gust of wind" or "burst of fire") is a French twin-engine, canard-delta-wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Often described as an "omnirole" aircraft, it is designed to perform a wide range of combat missions, including air superiority, interdiction, reconnaissance, ground support, anti-ship strike, and nuclear deterrence. The Rafale is considered a 4.5-generation fighter jet, incorporating advanced avionics and capabilities without full stealth, which keeps it relevant in the modern combat environment. The Rafale is powered by two Snecma M88 turbofan engines and is capable of supercruise (sustained supersonic flight without afterburners). It has a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 at high altitude. The Rafale entered service with the French Navy in 2004 and the French Air Force in 2006. It has been extensively combat-proven in various theaters since 2007, including Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, and Syria.

Written By Ryan Yoo

Edited By Taylor Cho