Top 10 U.S. Fighter Jets

 

Source: migflug.com

Every country that wants to protect its air space must have the newest and the best fighter jets in its arsenal. Currently, the 5th generation fighter airplanes with their latest weapons, powerful engines and stealth capabilities are the most advanced.

Characteristics Used to Measure the Power of an Aircraft

- The power and the reliability of its engine: the best fighter jets are powered by the most powerful and the most advanced engines;
- 
Newest and most advanced weapon systems: a fighter is as effective as its weapons;

- High-performance avionics: advanced flight control equipment allows for the best handling of the plane;

- All-aspect stealth: such capability allows an aircraft to remain invisible to enemy radars and detectors for as long as possible;

- Powerful and advanced radar: it allows to detect enemies and offers low probability of being intercepted;

- Highly integrated computer systems: sophisticated computers allow to control the aircraft and also to communicate with other fighters, as well as the ground control.

America: The Leader in Fighter Jets

Since Wilbur and Orville Wright first took off at Kitty Hawk, America has always been a leader in flight. That legacy continues today, as America remains one of the biggest producers and users of top-of-the-line fighter jets. These are the 15 best American fighter jets currently in use by the U.S. Military.

Top Ten Aircrafts of the U.S.

10. McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet

Now we switch from fighter jets used by the United States Air Force to those piloted by their Brothers and Sisters in Arms in the Navy. The F-18 Hornet was first produced by McDonnell Douglas in the mid-70s, though Boeing has taken over production since the mid-90s.

9. Grumman F-14 Tomcat

Because public information on current American fighter jets is understandably limited, it is here that we start to get into training jet planes and those which are less than current. The F-14 Tomcats are a little of both.

8. A/V-8B Harrier II the McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing)

AV-8B Harrier II is a single-engine ground-attack aircraft that constitutes the second generation of the Harrier Jump Jet family.
Named after a bird of prey,[8] it is primarily employed on light attack or multi-role missions, ranging from close air support of ground troops to armed reconnaissance. The AV-8B is used by the United States Marine Corps (USMC), the Spanish Navy, and the Italian Navy.

7. A-10 THUNDERBOLT (WARTHOG)

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American twin-engine; straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The only United States Air Force aircraft designed solely for close air support of ground forces; the A-10 was built to attack tanks; armored vehicles; and other ground targets with limited air defenses.

6. Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

As you might guess, this is a variant of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. It is capable of longer missions thanks to an external fuel system. It also lives up to the “super” part of its name, being considerably larger than the standard F-18 Hornet.

5. F-117 NIGHTHAWK The Lockheed F-117

Nighthawk is a single-seat, twin-engine stealth ground-attack aircraft formerly operated by the United States Air Force (USAF). A product of Lockheed Skunk Works and a development of the Have Blue technology demonstrator, the F-117 was the first operational aircraft to be designed around stealth technology.


4. F-16 Fighting Falcon

This is another fighter jet that has a long service history, first entering service in 1979. In that time, it has come to be another staple of the American Air Force and Navy, with more than 1,000 still in service today.

3. F-15 Eagle

Few aircraft are more iconic in the American imagination than the McDonnell Douglas F-15. Since the 70s, it has been virtually synonymous with “fighter jet” in the minds of most Americans, and for good reason.

2. F-35A Lightning II

This stealth fighter jet has had a long and sometimes troubled production history. During the course of its testing, it had significant problems, ranging from battery issues to difficulties in adverse weather conditions to issues with its stealth features.


1. F-22 Raptor

A much more recent addition to the Air Force’s roster, the F-22 Raptor was first adapted by the military in 2005. The Air Force has designated this fighter jet as part of its fifth generation of aircraft.


Written by - Sharmistha Pratap

Edited by - Gunika Manchanda