Since the Wright Brothers’ first flight in 1903, many military strategists have seen the practical applications of aviation. This has resulted in the birth of fighter jets, but which are the best fighter jets to have ever flown?
The first fighter aircraft appeared during WWI, with them becoming incredibly popular during WWII. During the Cold War, fighter jets as we know them today became widespread.
15. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
When it comes to the best fighter jets in the world, especially historical ones, the MiG-15 is certainly one of them. Despite being one of the first, first-generation jet fighters, it’s still a powerhouse today!
The MiG-15 became famous during the Korean War for being the first Soviet fighter jet. Whilst it appeared in many ways similar to the F-86, the MiG-15 was the superior aircraft, both according to Soviet and American pilots.
Even when second generation jet fighters came into service during Vietnam, the MiG-15 was still in service, often besting them in one-on-one combat. Over time, the MiG-15 has become one of the most produced fighter jets in the world!
Despite entering service in 1949, the MiG-15 is still in service today, albeit it in limited use as an advanced trainer for North Korea’s air force. Its derivatives such as the MiG-17 and MiG-19 are similarly still in service.
14. Gloster Meteor
By its very definition, the Gloster Meteor is one of the best fighter jets to have ever been flown. Not only was it the first successful fighter jet, it was the only Allied fighter jet of WWII.
Although it saw limited action in WWII, it was the most superior aircraft on the battlefield at the time. Messerschmitts and other German aircraft couldn’t shoot the Meteor down, as it was just too fast.
During the Korean War, the Meteor saw action against Chinese MiG-15s and MiG-17s. Here, the Meteor competed, and outclassed the MiG-15/17s due to their superior handling and speed.
When it was introduced, the Meteor was the most advanced fighter jet of its time. In 12 years, almost 4,000 Meteors were produced by Gloster, with two Meteors still being in use today!
13. McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
The F-4 was developed in the late 1950’s after the Korean War. American pilots in Korea felt as though the Soviet counterparts had the superior aircraft, with the American military higher ups not wanting this to become a precedent. As such, the Phantom II was launched.
Originally, the F-4 was designed by McDonnell and was initially produced by them. Following the McDonnell Douglas merger in 1967, the aircraft was redesignated as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II.
The F-4 was made famous in Vietnam, being among the US’s better aircraft. Here, it gained a reputation for being a powerhouse, as well as a reliable fighter.
Despite being a very 1950’s aircraft, the F-4 was in service with some of the world’s largest militaries until the late 1990’s. Even today, many smaller countries employ the F-4, including NATO allies Turkey, Japan and South Korea.
12. Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
During the Korean War, Lockheed chief engineer, Kelly Johnson traveled to Korea to find out what pilots wanted in a second generation jet fighter. Using that information, Lockheed designed and built the F-104.
When it was introduced, it was outclassed by faster aircraft with longer ranges. However, during the Vietnam War, it was the right size and speed to fly low level sorties against Vietcong forces.
At a time when pilots of other aircraft were being shot down left, right and center, the F-104 was relatively untouched. This made many pilots want to train to become F-104 pilots, and also saw it exported a lot.
The F-104 was introduced in 1958, with it last being retired in 2004, however it is still in service as a warbird. Since then, the F-104 has become a military aviation icon, recognized by avgeeks all around the world!
11. Panavia Tornado
In the 1960’s, West Germany, Italy and the UK were looking to develop replacements for their ageing strike fighter and bomber aircraft. During this time, variable geometry was the way to make a maneuverable fighter…
However, independent attempts in West Germany, Italy and the UK had not yielded anything conclusive, and their respective air forces were turning to America for answers. As such, they came together to form Panavia.
Panavia developed the Panavia Tornado, which, at the time was one of the most advanced aircraft in the world. The only other Western “swing wing” aircraft in service was the Grumman F-14.
When the Tornado entered service, people didn’t really take notice. Then, it served in several conflicts, gaining a reputation for being incredibly reliable, as well as a killing machine! Many enemies wouldn’t try to fight a Tornado!
10. North American F-86 Sabre
Although many at the time viewed it as inferior to the MiG-15 during the Korean War, many do view the F-86 as one of the best fighter jets of our time.
During Vietnam, American pilots had learned from their mistakes in Korea, and developed new tactics to down Chinese MiG-15/17s. The vast majority of F-86 kills were in Vietnam, not Korea.
Because of this, the F-86 is the most produced Western fighter jet in history, with almost 10,000 F-86s having been built. The last F-86s were retired in the mid-1990’s, although a few are still used as warbirds.
On top of this, the F-86 serves as the basis for several of the US and their allies’ most important 20th century aircraft. Many of these aircraft too, could be considered among the best fighter jets, including the F-100.
9. Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is one of Europe’s premier fighter jets, being a 4.5 generation fighter, serving as a bridge between the old, non-stealth Tornados and Harriers and the new, stealth F-35.
Despite not being explicitly designed for stealth, the Typhoon does have a low aspect ratio. Many recent upgrades have seen radar absorbent paint and stealth features added to most Typhoons.
The Typhoon is also the primary aircraft of the RAF and Royal Navy whilst their F-35 fleet is built and delivered. This means that the Typhoon has seen active service in Libya and Afghanistan, mostly as light bombers.
Here, the Typhoon has been quite effective, destroying almost all of its targets, whilst suffering no aerial losses in the process!
8. Dassault Rafale
Originally, France (Dassault) had been a part of the Eurofighter program. However, irreconcilable differences with the Eurofighter’s design led France to leave the group, and create their own aircraft.
Eventually, Dassault designed their own aircraft, to their preferred specifications. This aircraft is now known as the Dassault Rafale, and is similarly one of the best fighter jets in the world.
Despite being designed in a pre-stealth technology era, the Rafale is still very stealthy. Unlike most other fighter jets, the Rafale can actually perform almost every military role for an aircraft of its size, including air-to-air refueling.
As with many other fighter jets, Rafale pilots need to wear a tailor-made flight suit just to pilot the Rafale. Unlike many other fighter jets, however, this flight suit actually counters much of the g forces effects on the pilot!
7. Chengdu J-20
At a time when stealth is becoming, it’s no surprise that China too has developed its own stealth aircraft. This aircraft, as with many other fifth generation aircraft, is among the best fighter jets in the world.
The J-20 is (allegedly) one of the stealthiest aircraft in the skies, able to fool E-3 Sentry and KC-135 radars with ease. However, the J-20 is explicitly designed to combat the F-22 and F-35.
As you can probably expect, especially with China not being the most forthcoming of countries, and with the J-20 only having recently entered service, much of the information about the J-20 is speculation or is classified.
In spite of this, the J-20 is a favorite at air shows. However, as you can expect, the J-20 will only perform at certain air shows, all of which are in China, with a heavy guard presence when they’re on the ground.
6. McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
When it comes to the best fighter jets in the world, it’s hard to forget the F-15. For almost its entire history, the F-15 has been one of the most preferred fighter jets of modern air forces, in use with six countries.
After Vietnam, the US needed a new fighter jet, for both its Navy and Air Force. Originally, the Navy and Air Force were going to have the same aircraft, but eventually decided not to, leading to the F-14 and F-15!
Unlike most fighter jets, the F-15 has seen a lot of aerial combat. To date, the F-15 has 100 kills with a grand total of zero losses as a result of aerial combat.
Despite it being, at heart, a 1970’s aircraft, there are still several militaries, including the USAF, who use the F-15. Some of them still have unfulfilled orders for newer F-15 variants!
5. McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II
The Harrier was originally developed in Britain by Hawker Siddeley. Eventually, the US took notice of the Harrier and wanted their own, after American attempts had failed.
This saw McDonnell Douglas build the Harrier under license, improving upon its design and released it as the Harrier II, used by four different countries’ militaries.
During the 1960’s, military analysts predicted that if WWIII broke out, airfields and long, straight lines of road, would be the Soviets’ first target. As such, the idea of V/STOL entered the picture, with many agreeing it would be the best course of action.
Almost every country, including the British, French, West Germans and Americans attempted to produce their own V/STOL aircraft. But only the Harrier was successful in the West, with the Soviets developing the Yak-38 and Yak-141.
Despite being a 1960’s aircraft, the Harrier is still in service with several militaries. It was also the first foreign-made aircraft in USMC service since WWII, when the Harrier entered service with them in 1985.
4. General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
The F-16 is not only one of the most common fighter jets, but it is also one of the best fighter jets. Throughout its history, the F-16 has proven to be one of the most adaptable fighters in history.
Many of the newer F-16 variants are painted in a radar-absorbent paint that helps to keep it stealthier than other aircraft. To date, there is even a plan to make a stealth F-16 variant!
The F-16 was among the first fighter jets to be developed with fly-by-wire. This made it incredibly easy to operate, allowing the pilot to spend more time focusing on his/her primary objective.
On top of that, the F-16 is among the fastest aircraft in the world! Plus, it is the most produced fighter jet currently in service, so surely that should say something!
3. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Recent years have seen many criticize the F-35 program for being costly, without bring “much benefit” as one article put it. However, it is extremely advanced, and whether you like it or not, it is one of the best fighter jets!
In the late 1980’s, several Western nations came together to develop a new fighter, in what was later known as the JSF competition, pitting the Lockheed Martin X-35 and Boeing X-32 against one another.
Eventually, the X-35 won and became the F-35. The F-35 is well known for being one of the most advanced stealth fighters on the planet, having the second smallest aspect ratio of any aircraft built to date.
The F-35 is also the first successful STOVL aircraft, having somewhat similar capabilities to the famed (and aforementioned) Harrier. However, the F-35 is supersonic and is able to travel much farther and efficiently than the Harrier.
2. Sukhoi Su-57
The Su-57 is Russia’s answer to America’s F-35 (and F-22) and to China’s J-20. Just as with its Chinese/American counterparts, the Su-57 has become one of the best fighter jets in the world, in a very short time period.
Following the UK launching the Eurofighter program, and the US launching the F-22 program, Russia too developed a new fighter jet. Eventually, this jet would become the Su-57.
Recent years have seen the Su-57 be unveiled at several air shows in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. These displays have seen the Su-57 become a crowd favorite, most notably due to its aerodynamic condensation.
On top of this, the Su-57 is also one of the most advanced stealth aircraft on the planet, with one of the smallest aspect ratios of any aircraft. This helps to make it one of the most formidable aircraft in the sky!
1. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
I have recently spoken about how much I like the F-22 Raptor (as I said when I was comparing the F-22 and F-35!) So, that may or may not have influenced me calling the F-22 the best fighter jet in the world.
Nearing the end of the Cold War, the USSR revealed the Su-27 and Mig-29. This scared the US, as it did their European allies, causing both to develop their own new fighter jets. The result was the F-22.
The F-22 has the smallest radar cross section of any aircraft built to date. Compared to its Russian and Chinese adversaries, the F-22 is more maneuverable than them, as well as handling more g’s than them.
Much of the information surrounding the F-22 is highly classified, partly due to the aircraft being so advanced. In fact, the F-22 can’t be exported to any other country for fear that the technology may end up in enemy hands!
What are truly the best fighter jets? Tell me in the comments below!
Featured image courtesy of Lance Cpl. Christian Cachola via Flickr.