
This is another versatile aircraft which is able to take on a wide variety of missions. 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. This is another fighter jet that has a long service history, first entering service in 1979. F-16 Fighting Falcon Editorial Team F 16 Fighting Falcon Having an extra pilot on hand can be incredibly helpful for getting radar readouts, selecting targets, and assisting with other essential in-flight duties. The F-15E Strike Eagle has been designed to operate in a dual capacity, being as adept at taking on air-to-air missions against other aircraft as it is in carrying out air-to-ground assignments.
TOP FIGHTER JET GAMES UPGRADE
This two-seat upgrade to the classic jet is able to operate in all kinds of visibility and weather conditions, continuing the F-15’s reputation for versatility. F-15E Strike Eagle Editorial Team McDonnell Douglas F 15E Strike EagleĪ variation of the classic F-15, the McDonnell Douglas / Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle was first introduced in 1989. It has been extremely successful, with no recorded losses in combat and a long and illustrious service record in the American and Israeli Air Forces in particular. The F-15 has been sold to allies such as Israel and Japan, as well as other nations such as Saudi Arabia. Even so, its continued use is a testament to just how durable and serviceable this old ace of the skies continues to be. That isn’t to say that the F-15 is the most recent fighter jet on our list – on the contrary, this decades-old jet is one of the oldest entries. Since the 70s, it has been virtually synonymous with “fighter jet” in the minds of most Americans, and for good reason. F-15 Eagle Editorial Team McDonnell Douglas F 15 Eagleįew aircraft are more iconic in the American imagination than the McDonnell Douglas F-15. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the aircraft which make the cut to be the best current United States fighter jets. How many fighter jets does the US have? Exact figures of fighters themselves are hard to come by, but the American Military has 13,000 total aircraft. For example, Japan, whose military budget is eighth largest in the world, still has a few McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in its air force.Īmerica, by contrast, spends more on the next eight militaries combined, which – other social factors aside – contributes to its ability to replace those old F-4s with the biggest and best fighter jets out there.Īnother thing demonstrating that discrepancy is the size of the US Air Force and Navy’s aircraft roster. Whatever the reason, there is no denying that America replaces its fighter jets faster and with more regularity than most nations. There’s also the fact that there are significant financial incentives for some in private industry and political office and government to grow military spending. With contractors like McDonnell Douglas and Boeing right here in our own backyard, newer versions of these craft are easier to come by.
