The most important evaluation criterion is combat experience. All fighters presented, except for the 10th place (but for a good reason), participated in combat operations. Secondly, all cars, without exception, have some kind of clear advantage; most have outstanding performance characteristics.
10th place – F-22 “Raptor”
The only 5th generation fighter in the world, built according to the concept of “first to see, first to shoot, first to hit the target.” Supersonic stealth vehicle, equipped with last word technology has become the subject of heated debate about its price, capabilities and relevance. Literally from the words of the American program: “Why spend 66 billion dollars on the F-22 program if deep modernization of the F-15 and F-16 can give a comparable effect? Because technology must develop, progress cannot be stopped..."
Lack of real combat experience negatively affects Raptor's valuation. The most modern fighter takes only 10th place.
9th place - Messerschmitt Me.262 “Schwalbe”
The world's first jet combat aircraft. 900 km/h. It was a breakthrough. It was used as a fighter-interceptor, blitz-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft.
The airborne complex included 4 30 mm cannons with 100 shells per barrel and 24 unguided missiles, which made it possible to riddled a 4-engine bomber in one go.
Having received the captured Swallows, the Allies were impressed by their technical excellence and manufacturability. What did crystal clear radio communication cost?
Before the end of the war, the Germans managed to release 1,900 Swallows, of which only three hundred were able to take to the skies.
8th place – MiG-25
Soviet supersonic high-altitude interceptor that set 29 world records. In this role, the MiG-25 had no competitors, but it combat capabilities remained unclaimed. The only victory was achieved on January 17, 1991, when an Iraqi MiG shot down a US Navy F/A-18C Hornet carrier-based fighter.
His service as a scout turned out to be much more productive. During combat service in the Arab-Israeli conflict zone, MiG-25Rs opened the entire fortification system of the Bar-Lev line. The flights took place at maximum speed and altitude of 17-23 km, which was the only means of protecting an unarmed reconnaissance officer. In this mode, the engines burned half a ton of fuel every minute, the plane became lighter and gradually accelerated to 2.8 M. The MiG's skin heated up to 300 °C; according to the pilots, even the cockpit canopy became so hot that it was impossible to touch it. Unlike the titanium SR-71 "Black Bird", the thermal barrier became a problem for the MiG-25. The permitted flight time at a speed of more than 2.5 Mach was limited to 8 minutes, which, however, was enough to cross Israeli territory.
Another remarkable feature of the MiG-25R was its potential ability to “catch” 2 tons of bombs in flight. This especially tickled the nerves of the Israeli military: an indestructible reconnaissance aircraft was still tolerable, but an indestructible bomber was really scary.
7th place - British Aerospace Sea Harrier
The first vertical take-off and landing aircraft ( land version Hawker Siddeley Harrier appeared back in 1967). Having gone through a series of modernizations, it still remains in service with the Corps. Marine Corps USA under the name McDonnell Douglas AV-8 Harrier II. The clumsy-looking aircraft is very photogenic in flight - the sight of a combat vehicle hovering in one place will not leave anyone indifferent.
The main secret of British designers was the method of creating lifting traction. Unlike their Soviet colleagues from Yakovlev Design Bureau, who used a scheme with 3 independent jet engines, The Harrier uses a single Rolls-Royce Pegasus power unit with thrust vectoring. This made it possible to increase the aircraft's combat load to 5,000 pounds (about 2.3 tons).
During the Falklands War, the Royal Navy's Harriers operated at a distance of 12,000 km from home and achieved excellent results: they shot down 23 Argentine aircraft, without a single loss in air combat. Quite good for a subsonic aircraft. In total, 20 Harriers took part in the hostilities, of which 6 were shot down while attacking ground targets.
According to all experts, without the support of carrier-based aircraft, the Royal Navy would not have been able to defend the Falklands.
6th place – Mitsubishi A6M
The legendary deck Zero-sen. A mystery plane from Mitsubishi engineers, which combined the incongruous. Excellent maneuverability, powerful weapons and a record flight range - 2600 km (!) with a curb weight of 2.5 tons.
“Zero” was the embodiment of the samurai spirit, with its entire design demonstrating contempt for death. The Japanese fighter was completely stripped of armor and protected fuel tanks; the entire payload reserve was spent on fuel and ammunition.
For a whole year, aircraft of this type dominated the skies above Pacific Ocean, ensuring a victorious offensive Imperial Navy. Towards the end of World War II, the Zero played a grim role, becoming one of the main weapons of kamikaze pilots.
5th place – F-16 “Fighting Falcon”
The F-16 review is written in the form of a comparison with the MiG-29, I hope this will help answer many questions for readers.
Rule fighter aircraft says: whoever discovers his opponent first has an advantage. Therefore, the optical review in air combat It has great importance. Here the “American” has an advantage. The frontal projection of the F-16 almost matches the MiG-21, which American pilots said was almost impossible to visually notice at a distance of 3 kilometers. Visibility from the F-16's cockpit is also better, thanks to the canopy. For the MiG-29, the disadvantage is that the RD-33 engine creates a dense plume of smoke in some flight modes.
In close maneuver combat, thanks to the integral layout and the presence of 2 engines, the MiG has outstanding flight characteristics. The F-16 lags somewhat behind. The MiG-29's turn speed reaches, according to Russian data, 22.8 °/s, while the F-16's turns at 21.5 °/s. The MiG climbs at a speed of 334 m/s, the rate of climb of the F-16 is 294 m/s. The difference is not that big and good pilots can level it out.
The frontline fighter's armament must include both air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon categories. The F-16 has the largest range of weapons at its disposal and is capable of using guided and unguided bombs and anti-radar missiles. Electronics housed in an additional container make targeted use of weapons possible. The MiG-29, on the contrary, is forced to limit itself to unguided bombs and NURS. In terms of carrying capacity, there is a net loss: for the MiG-29 this figure is 2200 kg, for the F-16 - up to 7.5 tons.
Such a huge difference can be explained simply: the MiG-29’s payload reserve “ate” the second engine. According to many experts, the MiG has a largely flawed layout; 2 engines for a front-line fighter is too much. General Designer of the MiG Design Bureau Rostislav Belyakov said it best on this occasion at Farnborough-88: “If we had such a reliable and high-torque engine as Pratt & Whitney, we would without a doubt design a single-engine aircraft.” The range of the MiG-29 also suffered from such vicissitudes: the MiG-29 does not exceed 2000 km with a PTB, while the F-16 has a flight range with a PTB and 2 2000-pound bombs that can reach 3000-3500 km.
Both fighters are equally armed with missiles medium range air-to-air class. For example, the Russian R-77 has impressive declared performance characteristics, while the American AIM-120 has repeatedly confirmed its rather modest characteristics in combat. Pure parity. But the MiG-29 has a greater firing range from an air cannon and larger caliber. The six-barreled Vulcan F-16, on the contrary, has more ammunition (511 rounds versus 150 for the MiG).
The most important element is avionics. Radars are difficult to evaluate because manufacturers hide the exact characteristics. But according to some statements by pilots, it can be determined that the MiG-29 radar has the largest viewing angle - 140 degrees. The APG-66 radar for the F-16A and, accordingly, the APG-68 for the F-16C have viewing angles of no more than 120 degrees. A significant advantage of the MiG-29 aircraft is that the pilot has a helmet with a “Schel-ZUM” sight, which gives decisive superiority in close air combat. But the F-16 again has its own important advantage - the flight control system (Fly-by-Wire) and the HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) engine control system, which makes the aircraft extremely easy to fly. With just the press of a single switch, the Falcon is ready for battle. In contrast, the MiG-29 is manually tuned, which takes much longer to get into combat.
MiG Design Bureau and General Dynamics demonstrated completely different approaches to solving the same problem. Both aircraft implement interesting design solutions and, in general, the verdict is this: the F-16 is a multirole fighter, while the MiG is a pure air fighter, focused primarily on close maneuver combat. Here he has no equal.
Why did the Falcon win, and the MiG-29 not even enter the “Top 10” rating? Once again, the answer will be results. combat use these cars. The F-16 fought in the skies of Palestine and went through the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. A separate page of Falcon was the raid on the Iraqi nuclear center "Ozirak" in 1981. Having covered 2800 km, the F-16s of the Israeli Air Force secretly penetrated into Iraqi airspace, destroyed the reactor complex and returned to the Etzion airbase without losses. Total number of aircraft F-16 victories under the control of pilots from NATO countries, Israel, Pakistan and Venezuela amount to about 50 aircraft. There is no data on the defeat of F-16s in air combat, although one aircraft of this type was shot down by air defense missiles in Yugoslavia.
4th place – MiG-15
A single-seat jet fighter, the name of which became a household name in the West for all Soviet fighters. Entered service with the Air Force Soviet Union in 1949. The plane that prevented the Third world war.
Verbatim from the words of the Military Channel: “In Western society there was an opinion that Soviet technology was something bulky, heavy and outdated. There was nothing like this in the MiG-15. A fast and maneuverable fighter with clean lines and an elegant shape...” Its appearance in the skies of Korea caused a furor in the Western press and headache for the US Air Force Command. All plans for applying nuclear strike across the territory of the USSR, from now on the B-29 strategic bombers had no one chance break through the screen of MiG jets.
And one more important point, - The MiG-15 became the most produced jet aircraft in history. It was in service with the air forces of 40 countries.
3rd place - Messerschmitt Bf.109
Favorite fighter of the Luftwaffe aces. Four famous modifications: E (“Emil”) – the hero of the Battle of England, F (“Friedrich”) – it was these fighters that “broke the silence at dawn” on June 22, 1941, G (“Gustav”) – the hero of the Eastern Front, the most successful modification, K ("Elector") - an overpowered fighter, an attempt to squeeze out all the remaining reserves from the vehicle.
104 German pilots who fought on Messerschmitt were able to bring their tally to 100 or more downed vehicles.
A sinister, fast and powerful aircraft. A real fighter.
2nd place - MiG-21 vs F-4 “Phantom II”
Two different views in appearance jet fighter 2 generations. An 8-ton light front-line fighter and a 20-ton universal fighter-bomber, which became the basis of the fighter fleet of the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
Two irreconcilable opponents. Hot battles in the skies of Vietnam, Palestine, Iraq, India and Pakistan. Hundreds of downed cars on both sides. Bright combat history. They are still in service with the air forces of many countries.
Soviet designers relied on maneuverability. Americans - on missiles and radio-electronic equipment. Both views turned out to be wrong: after the first air battles, it became clear that the Phantom had given up its guns in vain. And the creators of the MiG realized that 2 air-to-air missiles were unacceptably few.
1st place – F-15 “Eagle”
Murderer. 104 confirmed aerial victories without a single loss. None of the modern aircraft can boast of this indicator. The F-15 was created specifically as an air superiority aircraft and for 10 years, before the advent of the Su-27, it was completely out of competition.
The first time the F-15 went into battle was on June 27, 1979, when Israeli “Needles” shot down 5 Syrian MiG-21s in close maneuver combat. Over more than 30 years of combat service, F-15 trophies included MiG-21, MiG-23, Mirage F1, Su-22 and MiG-29 (4 in Yugoslavia, 5 in Iraq). No less impressive were the achievements of the Eagles in Asia, for example, during the “Team Spirit-82” exercise, 24 F-15 fighters based on the island of Okinawa carried out 418 “combat” sorties in 9 days, of which 233 were for three days, while the level of combat readiness of all aircraft was almost continuously 100%.
High flight characteristics of the F-15, its ability to operate autonomously when used by the enemy electronic warfare equipment, day and night, in simple and difficult weather conditions, at high and low altitudes, made it possible to create the F-15E “Stike Eagle” attack aircraft based on its design (340 aircraft were produced). By 2015, the troops will receive a “stealth” version of the fighter-bomber based on the F-15 - the F-15SE “Silent Eagle”.
The combat use of the F-15 is the cause of much controversy. Particularly questionable is the fact that not a single Eagle was lost in battle. According to statements by Syrian and Yugoslav pilots, at least ten F-15s were shot down over Lebanon, Serbia and Syria. But it is not possible to confirm their words, because... No one on either side was able to demonstrate the wreckage. One thing is certain: the participation of F-15s in hostilities largely determined the course of many military operations (for example, the Lebanon War of 1982).
The F-15 Eagle is the most formidable and effective combat vehicle, and therefore deservedly takes 1st place.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, many of the outstanding designs remained outside the “Top 10” ranking. The hero of all air shows, the Su-27 is the best peacetime aircraft, flight qualities which allows you to perform the most complex figures aerobatics was not included in the rating. The Supermarine Spitfire, which is simply a good aircraft in all respects, was also not included in the rating. Too much has been created successful designs and it was very difficult to choose the best among them.
The most important evaluation criterion is combat experience. All fighters presented, except for the 10th place (but for a good reason), participated in combat operations. Secondly, all cars, without exception, have some kind of clear advantage; most have outstanding performance characteristics.
10th place – F-22 “Raptor”
The only 5th generation fighter in the world, built according to the concept of “first to see, first to shoot, first to hit the target.” The supersonic stealth vehicle, equipped with the latest technology, has become the subject of heated debate about its price, capabilities and relevance. Literally from the words of the American program: “Why spend 66 billion dollars on the F-22 program if deep modernization of the F-15 and F-16 can give a comparable effect? Because technology must develop, progress cannot be stopped..."
The lack of real combat experience negatively affects the Raptor's assessment. The most modern fighter takes only 10th place.
9th place - Messerschmitt Me.262 “Schwalbe”
The world's first jet combat aircraft. 900 km/h. It was a breakthrough. It was used as a fighter-interceptor, blitz-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft.
The airborne complex included 4 30 mm cannons with 100 shells per barrel and 24 unguided missiles, which made it possible to riddled a 4-engine bomber in one go.
Having received the captured Swallows, the Allies were impressed by their technical excellence and manufacturability. What did crystal clear radio communication cost?
Before the end of the war, the Germans managed to release 1,900 Swallows, of which only three hundred were able to take to the skies.
8th place – MiG-25
Soviet supersonic high-altitude interceptor that set 29 world records. In this role, the MiG-25 had no competitors, but its combat capabilities remained unclaimed. The only victory was achieved on January 17, 1991, when an Iraqi MiG shot down a US Navy F/A-18C Hornet carrier-based fighter.
His service as a scout turned out to be much more productive. During combat service in the Arab-Israeli conflict zone, MiG-25Rs opened the entire fortification system of the Bar-Lev line. The flights took place at maximum speed and altitude of 17-23 km, which was the only means of protecting an unarmed reconnaissance officer. In this mode, the engines burned half a ton of fuel every minute, the plane became lighter and gradually accelerated to 2.8 M. The MiG's skin heated up to 300 °C; according to the pilots, even the cockpit canopy became so hot that it was impossible to touch it. Unlike the titanium SR-71 "Black Bird", the thermal barrier became a problem for the MiG-25. The permitted flight time at a speed of more than 2.5 Mach was limited to 8 minutes, which, however, was enough to cross Israeli territory.
Another remarkable feature of the MiG-25R was its potential ability to “catch” 2 tons of bombs in flight. This especially tickled the nerves of the Israeli military: an indestructible reconnaissance aircraft was still tolerable, but an indestructible bomber was really scary.
7th place - British Aerospace Sea Harrier
The first vertical take-off and landing aircraft (the land version of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier appeared back in 1967). Having gone through a series of modernizations, it still remains in service with the US Marine Corps under the name McDonnell Douglas AV-8 Harrier II. The clumsy-looking aircraft is very photogenic in flight - the sight of a combat vehicle hovering in one place will not leave anyone indifferent.
The main secret of British designers was the method of creating lifting traction. Unlike their Soviet counterparts from the Yakovlev Design Bureau, which used a design with 3 independent jet engines, the Harrier uses a single Rolls-Royce Pegasus power unit with deflectable thrust vectoring. This made it possible to increase the aircraft's combat load to 5,000 pounds (about 2.3 tons).
During the Falklands War, the Royal Navy's Harriers operated at a distance of 12,000 km from home and achieved excellent results: they shot down 23 Argentine aircraft, without a single loss in air combat. Quite good for a subsonic aircraft. In total, 20 Harriers took part in the hostilities, of which 6 were shot down while attacking ground targets.
According to all experts, without the support of carrier-based aircraft, the Royal Navy would not have been able to defend the Falklands.
6th place – Mitsubishi A6M
The legendary deck Zero-sen. A mystery plane from Mitsubishi engineers, which combined the incongruous. Excellent maneuverability, powerful weapons and a record flight range - 2600 km (!) with a curb weight of 2.5 tons.
“Zero” was the embodiment of the samurai spirit, with its entire design demonstrating contempt for death. The Japanese fighter was completely stripped of armor and protected fuel tanks; the entire payload reserve was spent on fuel and ammunition.
For a whole year, aircraft of this type dominated the skies over the Pacific Ocean, ensuring the victorious offensive of the Imperial Navy. Towards the end of World War II, the Zero played a grim role, becoming one of the main weapons of kamikaze pilots.
5th place – F-16 “Fighting Falcon”
The F-16 review is written in the form of a comparison with the MiG-29, I hope this will help answer many questions for readers.
The rule of fighter aviation is that whoever spots his enemy first has the advantage. Therefore, optical visibility in air combat is of great importance. Here the “American” has an advantage. The frontal projection of the F-16 almost matches the MiG-21, which American pilots said was almost impossible to visually notice at a distance of 3 kilometers. Visibility from the F-16's cockpit is also better, thanks to the canopy. For the MiG-29, the disadvantage is that the RD-33 engine creates a dense plume of smoke in some flight modes.
In close maneuver combat, thanks to the integral layout and the presence of 2 engines, the MiG has outstanding flight characteristics. The F-16 lags somewhat behind. The MiG-29's turn speed reaches, according to Russian data, 22.8 °/s, while the F-16's turns at 21.5 °/s. The MiG climbs at a speed of 334 m/s, the rate of climb of the F-16 is 294 m/s. The difference is not that big and good pilots can level it out.
The frontline fighter's armament must include both air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon categories. The F-16 has the largest range of weapons at its disposal and is capable of using guided and unguided bombs and anti-radar missiles. Electronics housed in an additional container make targeted use of weapons possible. The MiG-29, on the contrary, is forced to limit itself to unguided bombs and NURS. In terms of carrying capacity, there is a net loss: for the MiG-29 this figure is 2200 kg, for the F-16 - up to 7.5 tons.
Such a huge difference can be explained simply: the MiG-29’s payload reserve “ate” the second engine. According to many experts, the MiG has a largely flawed layout; 2 engines for a front-line fighter is too much. General Designer of the MiG Design Bureau Rostislav Belyakov said it best on this occasion at Farnborough-88: “If we had such a reliable and high-torque engine as Pratt & Whitney, we would without a doubt design a single-engine aircraft.” The range of the MiG-29 also suffered from such vicissitudes: the MiG-29 does not exceed 2000 km with a PTB, while the F-16 has a flight range with a PTB and 2 2000-pound bombs that can reach 3000-3500 km.
Both fighters are equally armed with medium-range air-to-air missiles. For example, the Russian R-77 has impressive declared performance characteristics, while the American AIM-120 has repeatedly confirmed its rather modest characteristics in combat. Pure parity. But the MiG-29 has a longer firing range from an air cannon and a larger caliber. The six-barreled Vulcan F-16, on the contrary, has more ammunition (511 rounds versus 150 for the MiG).
The most important element is avionics. Radars are difficult to evaluate because manufacturers hide the exact characteristics. But according to some statements by pilots, it can be determined that the MiG-29 radar has the largest viewing angle - 140 degrees. The APG-66 radar for the F-16A and, accordingly, the APG-68 for the F-16C have viewing angles of no more than 120 degrees. A significant advantage of the MiG-29 aircraft is that the pilot has a helmet with a “Schel-ZUM” sight, which gives decisive superiority in close air combat. But the F-16 again has its own important advantage - the flight control system (Fly-by-Wire) and the HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) engine control system, which makes the aircraft extremely easy to fly. With just the press of a single switch, the Falcon is ready for battle. In contrast, the MiG-29 is manually tuned, which takes much longer to get into combat.
MiG Design Bureau and General Dynamics demonstrated completely different approaches to solving the same problem. Both aircraft implement interesting design solutions and, in general, the verdict is this: the F-16 is a multirole fighter, while the MiG is a pure air fighter, focused primarily on close maneuver combat. Here he has no equal.
Why did the Falcon win, and the MiG-29 not even enter the “Top 10” rating? And again, the answer will be the results of the combat use of these machines. The F-16 fought in the skies of Palestine and went through the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. A separate page of Falcon was the raid on the Iraqi nuclear center "Ozirak" in 1981. Having covered 2800 km, the F-16s of the Israeli Air Force secretly penetrated into Iraqi airspace, destroyed the reactor complex and returned to the Etzion airbase without losses. Total number of aircraft F-16 victories under the control of pilots from NATO countries, Israel, Pakistan and Venezuela amount to about 50 aircraft. There is no data on the defeat of F-16s in air combat, although one aircraft of this type was shot down by air defense missiles in Yugoslavia.
4th place – MiG-15
A single-seat jet fighter, the name of which became a household name in the West for all Soviet fighters. Entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1949. The plane that prevented World War III.
Literally from the words of the Military Channel: “In Western society, there is an opinion that Soviet technology is something bulky, heavy and outdated. There was nothing like this in the MiG-15. A fast and maneuverable fighter with clean lines and an elegant shape...” Its appearance in the skies of Korea caused a furor in the Western press and a headache for the US Air Force command. All plans to launch a nuclear strike on the territory of the USSR collapsed; from now on, the B-29 strategic bombers did not have a single chance to break through the screen of MiG jets.
And one more important point - the MiG-15 became the most popular jet aircraft in history. It was in service with the air forces of 40 countries.
3rd place - Messerschmitt Bf.109
Favorite fighter of the Luftwaffe aces. Four famous modifications: E (“Emil”) – the hero of the Battle of England, F (“Friedrich”) – it was these fighters that “broke the silence at dawn” on June 22, 1941, G (“Gustav”) – the hero of the Eastern Front, the most successful modification, K ("Elector") - an overpowered fighter, an attempt to squeeze out all the remaining reserves from the vehicle.
104 German pilots who fought on Messerschmitt were able to bring their tally to 100 or more downed vehicles.
A sinister, fast and powerful aircraft. A real fighter.
2nd place - MiG-21 vs F-4 “Phantom II”
Two different views on the appearance of a 2nd generation jet fighter. An 8-ton light front-line fighter and a 20-ton universal fighter-bomber, which became the basis of the fighter fleet of the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
Two irreconcilable opponents. Hot battles in the skies of Vietnam, Palestine, Iraq, India and Pakistan. Hundreds of downed cars on both sides. A vivid battle story. They are still in service with the air forces of many countries.
Soviet designers relied on maneuverability. The Americans are looking for missiles and radio-electronic equipment. Both views turned out to be wrong: after the first air battles, it became clear that the Phantom had given up its guns in vain. And the creators of the MiG realized that 2 air-to-air missiles were unacceptably few.
1st place – F-15 “Eagle”
Murderer. 104 confirmed aerial victories without a single loss. None of the modern aircraft can boast of this indicator. The F-15 was created specifically as an air superiority aircraft and for 10 years, before the advent of the Su-27, it was completely out of competition.
The first time the F-15 went into battle was on June 27, 1979, when Israeli “Needles” shot down 5 Syrian MiG-21s in close maneuver combat. Over more than 30 years of combat service, F-15 trophies included MiG-21, MiG-23, Mirage F1, Su-22 and MiG-29 (4 in Yugoslavia, 5 in Iraq). No less impressive were the achievements of the Eagles in Asia, for example, during the “Team Spirit-82” exercise, 24 F-15 fighters based on the island of Okinawa carried out 418 “combat” sorties in 9 days, of which 233 were for three days, while the level of combat readiness of all aircraft was almost continuously 100%.
The high flight characteristics of the F-15, its ability to operate autonomously in conditions of the enemy’s use of electronic warfare, day and night, in simple and difficult weather conditions, at high and low altitudes, made it possible to create the F-15E “Stike Eagle” attack aircraft based on its design. 340 cars were produced). By 2015, the troops will receive a “stealth” version of the fighter-bomber based on the F-15 - the F-15SE “Silent Eagle”.
The combat use of the F-15 is the cause of much controversy. Particularly questionable is the fact that not a single Eagle was lost in battle. According to statements by Syrian and Yugoslav pilots, at least ten F-15s were shot down over Lebanon, Serbia and Syria. But it is not possible to confirm their words, because... No one on either side was able to demonstrate the wreckage. One thing is certain: the participation of F-15s in hostilities largely determined the course of many military operations (for example, the Lebanon War of 1982).
The F-15 Eagle is the most formidable and effective combat vehicle, and therefore deservedly takes 1st place.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, many of the outstanding designs remained outside the “Top 10” ranking. The hero of all air shows, the Su-27 is the best peacetime aircraft, the flight qualities of which allow it to perform the most complex aerobatics, but was not included in the rating. The Supermarine Spitfire, which is simply a good aircraft in all respects, was also not included in the rating. Too many successful designs have been created and it was very difficult to choose the best ones.
It's no secret that airplanes are the most... quick look transport. Some of them are capable of reaching speeds of up to 1,500 kilometers per hour. At the same time, speed is a decisive factor in the military industry. For this reason, we will look at the fastest fighter jets in the world. It's about about unique developments characterized by instant response and amazing maneuverability. For the latest fighters the line of 2000 kilometers per hour is far from the limit. At the same time, many countries allocate huge amounts of money for weapons, which affects the emergence of unique analogues listed below.
The ranking of the fastest fighters opens with Dassault Rafale. This flying machine performs a huge range of tasks. The mission of the aircraft includes overcoming not only close but also long distances. Raphael is equipped with a variety of powerful weapons designed to deliver precision strikes against ground targets. On high altitude its speed is Mach 1.8 or 1900 kilometers per hour. The fighter was developed by the French Navy back in 2004. But to this day, fighter jets, of which there are only 145 units in the world, are considered one of the fastest.
The full name of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter. Unique air vehicle was developed by a Swedish company called SAAB. The fighter was first introduced into service in 1997. The Swedish Air Force modified the model several times. Currently, the maximum weapon opening speed is 2200 km/h or Mach 2.0. During production, about 270 aircraft were created. At the same time, 204 units are still functioning to ensure the security of Sweden.
The military aircraft is one of the fastest in India and the world. Speed 2.3 Mach. This vehicle can land even on unprepared airfields and sea vessels. It has good maneuverability. In total, approximately 1,500 of these aircraft were produced, due to their endurance and wear resistance. The fighter can conduct a long, active battle without losing speed and sharpness. It is worth noting that Indian manufacturers have achieved high achievements in the invention of air vehicles. Every year they release great amount aircraft, many of which are used in the military industry around the world.
As already stated, India is one of the leading countries in the field of invention military equipment. Probably, attempts to modify the MiG-29 led to the creation of another one of the fastest fighters on the planet - the MiG-23. Speed vehicle at high altitude it is 2,445 km/h. We are talking about a multi-role fighter, which in the 80s took part in all known armed confrontations. The aircraft is currently in service with Syria, Libya and even India.
A representative of the German armed forces, the Typhoon entered production in 2003. The maximum speed of the fighter reaches Mach 2.0 or 2450 km/h. It is worth noting that this is an invisible aircraft, that is, Stealth. Most of The body of this ground transport is made of a special coating that blocks electromagnetic waves. At the same time, the combat radius of the fighter is 1390 km. Amazing results. The multi-role aircraft is also used in the UK and Italy. There are approximately five hundred such fighters in the world.
Fifth place goes to the Soviet military vessel Su-27. The fourth generation Soviet multi-role all-weather fighter, designed to gain air superiority, was designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau in 1977. In 1985, the aircraft entered service with the USSR Air Force. It is now in service with the Russian Air Force as the main fighter aircraft. Modifications of the Su-27 are in service with China, Ukraine, India and other countries. The maximum speed the aircraft is capable of is 2876.4 km/h (Mach 2.35). In total, about 809 of these air units were produced.
The fastest fighters on the planet include the Grumman F-14, whose speed reaches 2,485 kilometers per hour. The unique aircraft was developed by specialists from Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation. The first analogue appeared in 2006. On this moment Active deliveries of aircraft are underway to Iran, where the fighter is in service. We are talking about a reliable interceptor that can accompany 4 targets at once. Moreover, it can simultaneously capture up to 6 targets. The existence of 712 fighters is known.
The speed of this aircraft is 2,650 km/h. The development was presented by specialists from the USA. The aircraft is an impeccable leader in its class, as it has excellent maneuverability. The tactical fighter appeared in 1976. Moreover, its production is planned until 2025 for American weapons. Every year, employees of leading companies add innovations that improve the reaction and maneuvers of the aircraft. In total, 1,500 such products are known to exist. All are in the USA.
The fastest fighter in the world The MiG-31 is considered to have a speed of 3000 kilometers per hour. By the name, you already guessed that it belongs to the property of Russia. Attracts with its extensive possibilities. The fighter is capable of intercepting targets and destroying enemy objects at high, low and medium altitudes. Also detects false thermal targets. First appeared in 1981. Needless to say, it has undergone a lot of modernization since then. Maximum speed develops at an altitude of 25 kilometers.
The first inventions that made it possible to rise into the air caused euphoria, because back then it was a miracle to get off the ground and rise up several kilometers. But with the development of technology, people began to feel more confident in the sky, and thanks to fighters, they can even consider themselves masters of the airspace. Equipped with mass innovative features they impress with their capabilities and military might. We present to you top 10 most the best aircraft fighters of the world.
10. Boeing F/A-18E
An American-made carrier-based aircraft, which is often placed on aircraft carriers. It has at its disposal a six-barreled cannon capable of firing 6 thousand rounds per minute, as well as many other weapons, including laser-guided and non-laser-guided missiles.
9. F-16 Fighting Falcon
Created in the USA in 1979, Falcon is still actively used not only in its homeland, but also in other countries of the world. Due to its minimal price, as well as high flight capabilities, it has been adopted in service in more than thirty countries. That is why it is considered one of the best fighters in the world.
8. Saab JAS 39 Gripen
It is in service with the Swedish army and, although it was released and first tested in action back in 1988, it still has technology that is impressive. The reason for this is that when manufacturing the JAS 39 Gripen, the designers were guided by the terrain of their country - mountains, as well as not simple Scandinavian climatic conditions.
Creation Russian masters from the design workshop named after P. Sukhoi, which was tested and underwent a lot of different checks, each of which showed high class cars. In competitions between British and American counterparts, the Su 30 always emerged victorious. It is also valued for its well-thought-out rescue system, because in nine out of ten cases in an accident the pilot remains safe and sound.
6. McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
The creation of drawings and development of the aircraft began back in 1962. It took to the skies a decade later, but despite its age, it is still in use today, and will continue to do so, according to representatives of the US Air Force, until at least 2025. “Eagle” has earned such trust with its reliability. Speed and power can be found in other aircraft, but this minimum quantity Only he has breakdowns.
The US military has praised the new development presented by Russia in the form of the Su 35 as the most powerful and deadly air machine ever created by the Russians. Therefore, the Su 35 will not be able to beat the top best fighters in the world. It is still little used, and exact data about all its capabilities is kept secret.
Among American aircraft with destructive power, it is considered the best. The Raptor is lightweight, agile and fuel-efficient. Since its creation, which happened in the 90s, only two aircraft of this model have crashed.
3. Eurofighter Typhoon
It was simply impossible not to include the Typhoon, created by the joint efforts of the best designers in England, Italy, Spain and Germany, in the top 10 fighters in the world. A development of the European Union to stabilize the situation in the Middle East, it has the ability to create noise and interference on enemy radars, making it impossible to hit the Typhoon homing system.
Fifth generation fighter Russian production, which has all the best from previous models and is equipped in addition with many the latest developments. According to preliminary data, the Su 57 can simultaneously fight several opponents, both in the air and on the ground.
Photo: Vladimir Vyatkin The list of the best fighters in the world today is completed by the Su 27 with its extensive history. It has been in use for quite some time and still shows excellent results. So, during a military conflict in the vastness of Africa, one of these managed to destroy three enemy fighters. And among the shortcomings there is only one obvious one - high consumption fuel.
Military aviation has always attracted a lot of public attention. And, if at the time of its inception it delighted with its efficiency, today it surprises with its capabilities and the presence of a mass of high-tech solutions. We live in a very unstable world, in which local conflicts occur every now and then, but perhaps the only advantage of this is the opportunity to observe the best works of engineering in action. We have combined them into a rating the best military fighters in the world, which can not only surprise you with technical progress defense industry, but will also make you proud own country, because most of the leading positions belong to Russian aircraft. As they say, “First things first, the planes...”
10. Dassault “Mirage” 2000 (France)
French aviation has noticeably improved since the Second World War, when it was completely destroyed German army. Attempts to be independent foreign policy demanded strong army, so 30 years ago the Mirage military aircraft appeared, which immediately became the main fighter of the French Air Force and did not give up this position for two decades, because it showed excellent performance in peacekeeping operations V North Africa, as a result of which it began to be purchased en masse by India. It was in this region that he found himself: the successful destruction of enemy aircraft and headquarters, as well as guided missile attacks, broke the rebel resistance in a couple of days. According to some reports, despite being discontinued in 2006, Dassault 2000 participated in the Libyan War, where it caused stunning damage to the military equipment of Gaddafi's army.
9.
Just a couple of years ago, the Falcon, ranked ninth in the ranking of the best fighters in the world, was the most common combat aircraft in the world. Low cost and quality indicators made it the main export product of the American Air Force. As of today, there are 4,750 F-16 fighters worldwide. The modernized version will be produced at least until the end of 2017. Pictures of this aircraft were repeatedly captured by military reporters; it managed to take part in 100 conflicts, the most famous of which are the NATO Operation against Yugoslav troops and the Iraq War. The Israeli Army's F-16 Fighting Falcons are the most capable combat fighters. According to official data, they have forty air victories.
8.
Although prototypes have not yet taken part in combat operations, and its commissioning is planned for 2018, it has already incorporated the leading developments of domestic engineers. Compared to its predecessor, it will become more economical in terms of fuel consumption, but at the same time it will create more conditions for pilot comfort: from automated control flight while aiming to the increased volume of air created by the autonomous oxygen station. The only fly in the ointment, in our opinion, is the too early attempts of the Russian Ministry of Defense to involve it in international tenders, because the radar and some equipment are still not brought to ideal condition. A positive feature of this model is the cost of production; for example, the French produce aircraft with similar characteristics at two to three times the price.
7.
The most successful American project of the last forty years ranks seventh in the top ten best combat fighters in the world. The F-15 Eagle is guaranteed to remain in service until 2025, which means it will have time to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. Amazingly, over such a long period, the Eagle was defeated in an air battle only once, while destroying about a hundred enemy aircraft. This fighter is connected with the story of an Israeli Air Force pilot named Peled, who during the military conflict in Syria was able to destroy six enemy aircraft and cause significant damage to four more. Now in service various countries There are six hundred F-15s, and they are not going to be written off, because on average problems occur only once in 50 thousand flight hours.
6.
The crown of thought of French aircraft designers in the context of fourth generation fighters. The only drawback is the high cost of production, which requires the involvement of a lot of precision engineering objects. Having started its journey with the war in Afghanistan 15 years ago, the Rafale has proven its effectiveness in the fight against the Libyan army. It is worth noting that the “victims” of the Rafale were most often domestic fighters and helicopters in service with the Libyan Air Force. Speaking of modern times, Dassault most often takes part in exercises and only struck the forces a few times Islamic State in Iraq. It is also associated with a lot of incidents when the plane crashed or exploded in the air, but the manufacturer has proven that the cause of such situations is most often the human factor.
5.
The most reliable domestic aircraft is located at the equator of the ranking of the best military fighters in the world. He repeatedly proved his superiority during the exercises. Forming the backbone of the Indian Air Force, the Su-30 defeated American and British competitors in training battles, and in most cases, dryly. Also, it was Sukhoi that ensured the success of the operation of the Russian military space forces in Syria, and played a decisive role in the liberation of Palmyra. Over a quarter of a century, only 9 incidents were recorded, most of which were caused by an engine fire or insufficient fuel; fortunately, there were no military casualties, with the exception of a Vietnamese Air Force plane crashing into the sea.
4.
The only fighter created by the joint efforts of countries European Union and has proven its effectiveness during real combat operations (coalition operations in Syria and Iraq). Its undoubted advantage is the ability to interfere with enemy radars and, thereby, correct the flight direction guided missiles, so the lack of losses should not be a surprise. Another advantage is maximum range shooting at this indicator The typhoon surpasses its closest competitors by as much as a hundred kilometers. Today, the countries of Europe and the Middle East are armed with about half a thousand fighters, each of which has a unique modification and production technology.
3.
The aircraft, which opens the top three among the best military fighters in the world, requires special attention, because it will form the backbone of the aviation wing of our country’s permanent military base in Syria. The secrecy of production for a long time forced potential buyers to avoid investing in a risky project, but participation in combat operations, where the Su-35 covered the main attack forces of the Russian Aerospace Forces, attracted a lot of attention to it. Considering that the aircraft is an extremely thorough modernization of the Su-27 (this is evidenced by the identical airframe), the fighter serves as proof of the durability of domestic military equipment, and also speaks of following traditions in aviation. Unfortunately, information about participation in exercises or battles with the enemy was not presented to the public.
2.
Multifunctional, economical, effective - in general, this is the best fighter produced in the United States. From 2014 to today, he has formed the backbone of the Air Force in Syria, where, having begun the fight against radical Islamists, he continues to create significant problems for IS troops. A noteworthy case is when a pilot, in one combat mission, not only completed combat mission, but remained in a certain area for another six hours, but was not noticed by enemy forces and transmitted the coordinates of the positions of the enemy who was trying to evacuate the base. Over the past two years, the F-22 has successfully completed approximately 210 combat missions. The entire operational period includes only two casualties during conflict, indicating high quality and reliability of the Raptor.
1. Sukhoi T-50 (Russia)
Palm in the ranking and title the best military fighter in the world receives the Sukhoi T-50 - the first domestic fifth-generation aircraft capable of simultaneous combat with several opponents located both in the sky and on the ground. This was made possible thanks to increased maneuverability and advanced technology. Even Western experts The first steps of Russian engineers in creating fighters with stealth reduction technology were highly appreciated, but in practice it is not possible to draw any solid conclusions: all tests are carried out behind closed doors, and the final configuration of the prototype will be presented only in a year and a half.
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We could not ignore the best Soviet fighter, which is still in service both in post-Soviet countries and among allies in the communist camp, because he is in the top ten. It is noteworthy that the Su 27 becomes a participant in any computer flight simulator. Also, this aircraft is the only domestically produced fighter that took part in hostilities in the territory Central Africa, where he neutralized 3 enemy aircraft without losses, and the only identified disadvantage was the rather high fuel consumption during afterburner.
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