An F-16 Fighting Falcon (left), P-51D Mustang (bottom), F-86 Sabre (top), and F-22 Raptor (right) fly in a formation representing four generations of American fighters. Fighter aircraft (early on also pursuit aircraft) [a] are military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat.

Nov 21, 2023 · These ten fighter jets represent the pinnacle of aerial warfare in 2024, each one a marvel of technology and engineering. Their advanced capabilities in speed, firepower, stealth, and maneuverability allow them to dominate in contemporary air-to …

Fighter aircraft are military aircraft primarily designed for air-to-air combat. This list does not aim to include attack aircraft primarily intended for different roles, where they have some secondary air-to-air capability.

The United States Armed Forces uses a wide variety of military aircraft across the respective aviation arms of its various service branches. The numbers of specific aircraft listed in the following entries are estimates from published sources and may not be exhaustive.

Dec 24, 2024 · Thousands of fighter jets will be in active duty across the world’s air forces in 2025, from cutting-edge 5th-generation models like the F-35 to relics of the 1970s such as the Sukhoi Su-24. The 2025 World Air Forces Directory has tracked a total of 14,147 active combat aircraft around the world, with the help of Cirium’s fleets analyzer.

These are the 15 best American fighter jets currently in use by the U.S. Military. With contractors like McDonnell Douglas and Boeing right here in our own backyard, newer versions of these craft are easier to come by.

Jan 20, 2025 · The Eagle counts 919 units in service and makes up 6% of the global fighter jet fleet. The F-15 Eagle is a tactical fighter designed for air supremacy by the Air Force. It is an all-weather, air-to-air, and deep interdiction fighter.

Jan 11, 2025 · Fighter aircraft, aircraft designed primarily to secure control of essential airspace by destroying enemy aircraft in combat. The opposition may consist of fighters of equal capability or of bombers carrying protective armament.

Dec 13, 2024 · Fighter jets are a crucial component of any country’s air force, providing a means of defending against enemy aircraft and conducting a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, and reconnaissance. The development of fighter jets has been a long and evolving process, with early models such as the Supermarine ...

Dec 27, 2024 · Fifth-generation jets, like the U.S. F-22 Raptor and China’s J-20, brought stealth technology, advanced sensors, and networked combat capabilities to the forefront. Sixth-generation fighters aim to take all that and push it further into uncharted territory.