ukFighterJets.com | Fighter Aircraft Specifications, Technology & Intelligence

The World's
Fighter Jets
Defined

In-depth specifications, operational analysis, and technical documentation for modern and historical fighter aircraft — from fourth-generation multirole platforms to fifth-generation stealth fighters.

Explore Fighter Jets Compare Aircraft
250+
Aircraft Profiles
5
Fighter Generations
40+
Nations Covered
Aircraft Classification

Fighter Categories

Fighter aircraft are classified by their primary operational role. Understanding these categories provides essential context for evaluating capability, design philosophy, and doctrine.

Air superiority fighter aircraft

Air Superiority Fighters

Designed primarily to establish control of airspace by defeating enemy aircraft in combat. These platforms prioritise maneuverability, speed, sensor integration, and long-range missile employment.

F-22 Raptor Su-57 Felon F-15 Eagle MiG-29
Browse Aircraft
Multirole fighter aircraft

Multirole Fighters

Capable of executing both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions within a single sortie. Modern multirole fighters form the backbone of most contemporary air forces due to their operational flexibility.

F-35 Lightning II Eurofighter Typhoon Rafale F-16
Browse Aircraft
Stealth fighter aircraft

Stealth Fighters

Fifth-generation platforms incorporating low observable technology through airframe shaping, radar-absorbent materials, and internal weapon carriage. Stealth reduces radar cross-section to give tactical advantage.

F-22 Raptor F-35 Lightning II J-20 B-21 Raider
Browse Aircraft
Carrier-based fighter aircraft

Carrier-Based Fighters

Optimised for operations from aircraft carrier flight decks, requiring structural reinforcement for catapult launch and arrested recovery, folding wing sections, and corrosion-resistant systems.

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet F-35C Rafale M J-15
Browse Aircraft
Performance Analysis

Fighter Jet Comparisons

Side-by-side technical performance data to evaluate modern fighter aircraft across key operational parameters.

F-22 Raptor
Air Superiority · 5th Gen
F-35A Lightning II
Multirole Stealth · 5th Gen
Max Speed
Mach 2.25
Mach 1.6
Combat Range
1,600 nm
1,200 nm
Service Ceiling
65,000 ft
50,000 ft
Unit Cost
$143M
$82M
Nations Operated
1
20+
F-15 Eagle
Air Superiority · 4th Gen
F-16 Fighting Falcon
Multirole · 4th Gen
Max Speed
Mach 2.5
Mach 2.0
Combat Range
1,062 nm
575 nm
Thrust-to-Weight
1.07
1.10
Eurofighter Typhoon
Multirole · 4.5th Gen
Dassault Rafale
Multirole · 4.5th Gen
Max Speed
Mach 2.0
Mach 1.8
Max Payload
16,500 lb
13,230 lb
Technical Database

Aircraft Specifications

Authoritative technical data drawn from official documentation, manufacturer specifications, and verified open-source intelligence.

F-22 Raptor

Lockheed Martin / Boeing

Gen 5

F-35A Lightning II

Lockheed Martin

Gen 5

F-15EX Eagle II

Boeing

Gen 4+

Eurofighter Typhoon

BAE / Airbus / Leonardo

Gen 4.5

Dassault Rafale

Dassault Aviation

Gen 4.5
5th Generation · Air Superiority

F-22 Raptor

Maximum Speed
Mach 2.25
at altitude
Combat Radius
410 nm
internal fuel
Service Ceiling
65,000 ft
approx.
Thrust (each)
35,000 lbf
2× F119-PW-100
MTOW
83,500 lb
38,000 kg
First Flight
1997
IOC: 2005
View Full Specification Sheet
Aviation History

Fighter Jet Generations

The evolution of jet-powered fighter aircraft from the early Cold War era to modern fifth-generation platforms.

Early jet fighter aircraft
1947
F-86 Sabre
USA · 1st Generation
Cold War era jet
1958
F-104 Starfighter
USA · 2nd Generation
Vietnam era fighter
1970
F-14 Tomcat
USA · 3rd Generation
F-15 Eagle fighter jet
1976
F-15 Eagle
USA · 4th Generation
Eurofighter Typhoon
2003
Eurofighter Typhoon
Multi · 4.5th Gen
F-22 Raptor stealth fighter
2005
F-22 Raptor
USA · 5th Generation
Latest Intelligence

Aviation Analysis

Editorial analysis, technical assessments, and operational reviews from the world of fighter aviation.

Aviation radar technology
Technology

How Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar Transforms Modern Air Combat

AESA radar represents a fundamental shift in how fighter aircraft detect, track, and engage targets, enabling electronic warfare capabilities previously unavailable to tactical aircraft.

Analysis May 2025
F-35 Lightning II aircraft
Specification Deep Dive

F-35 Block 4 Upgrade Programme: What Changes and Why It Matters

The Block 4 software and hardware upgrade substantially expands the F-35's weapons carriage, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare capability across all three variants.

Programme Update April 2025
Next generation fighter aircraft concept
Comparison

Sixth-Generation Fighter Aircraft: GCAP vs NGAD Design Philosophy

The UK/Italy/Japan Global Combat Air Programme and the US Next Generation Air Dominance programme reflect differing national approaches to sixth-generation fighter requirements.

Future Systems March 2025
Stealth & Systems

Fighter Aircraft Technology

Low Observable Airframe Design

Stealth airframes use carefully calculated surface angles, internal weapon bays, and radar-absorbent materials to minimise radar cross-section across threat frequency bands.

Sensor Fusion & Avionics

Fifth-generation fighters integrate data from multiple sensors — radar, infrared search and track, and electronic warfare systems — into a single coherent tactical picture for the pilot.

Supercruise Capability

The ability to sustain supersonic flight without afterburner extends mission radius and enables high-speed intercept profiles while reducing infrared and acoustic signatures.

Thrust Vectoring & Agility

Three-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles allow fighters such as the F-22 and Su-57 to perform post-stall manoeuvres at angles of attack beyond conventional aerodynamic limits.

Radar Cross Section — Comparative Scale
Radar Cross Section Comparison F-22 ~0.0001 m² F-35A ~0.001 m² Typhoon ~1 m² F-15 ~5 m² F-16 ~1.2 m² Approximate RCS — illustrative scale

Fighter Aircraft Statistics

250+
Aircraft
Profiles
5
Fighter
Generations
40+
Nations
Covered
80+
Aircraft
Comparisons
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines a fifth-generation fighter aircraft?
Fifth-generation fighters are characterised by all-aspect stealth, advanced avionics with sensor fusion, AESA radar, internal weapons carriage, high-performance propulsion, and network-enabled combat capability. The F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II are the primary examples currently in service.
What is the difference between the F-35A, B, and C variants?
The F-35A is the conventional take-off and landing variant for air force use. The F-35B incorporates a shaft-driven lift fan for short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capability. The F-35C is the carrier variant with enlarged wings and a reinforced structure for catapult launch and arrested recovery.
How is radar cross-section measured and what does it mean?
Radar cross-section (RCS) is a measure of how detectable an aircraft is to radar, expressed in square metres (m²). A lower RCS means the aircraft reflects less radar energy and is therefore more difficult to detect at long range. The F-22 has an estimated RCS of around 0.0001 m², roughly equivalent to a small marble.
What is supercruise and which fighters can do it?
Supercruise is the ability to sustain supersonic flight in dry power, without afterburner engagement. The F-22 Raptor can supercruise at approximately Mach 1.82, while the Eurofighter Typhoon can sustain approximately Mach 1.2 in supercruise. Most fourth-generation fighters require afterburner to exceed Mach 1.
Which country operates the most advanced fighter aircraft?
The United States operates both the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, currently the most capable fifth-generation fighters in operational service. China's J-20 and Russia's Su-57 represent competing fifth-generation platforms, though operational numbers and capability assessments differ significantly.
What are sixth-generation fighter programmes?
Sixth-generation programmes include the US Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD), the UK/Italy/Japan Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), and France/Germany/Spain's FCAS. These platforms are expected to incorporate optionally-manned concepts, advanced networking, directed energy weapons, and enhanced stealth characteristics.