Fighters are the well-armed infantry of the air, providing cover and support to ground troops, carrying out high-risk seek-and-destroy missions and fighting entire battles from the air.
1989 (F-5E)
2,400 nautical miles (F-15E)
| Weapons
of War: U.S.
Fighter Aircraft Fighters are the well-armed infantry of the air, providing cover and support to ground troops, carrying out high-risk seek-and-destroy missions and fighting entire battles from the air. |
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| Primary role | ||||||
| Carrier-launched interceptor | Air superiority fighter; Multi-role fighter (F-15E) | Multi-role fighter | Carrier-launched multi-role fighter | |||
| Entered service | ||||||
| 1974 | 1972 1989 (F-5E) |
1976 | 1983 | |||
| Length | ||||||
| 62 feet 8 inches | 63 feet 9 inches; 65 feet 4 inches (F-15E) | 49 feet 4 inches | 56 feet | |||
| Wingspan | ||||||
| 64 feet 1 inch | 42 feet 9 inches | 31 feet | 37 feet 6 inches | |||
| Speed | ||||||
| 1,544 mph | 1,650 mph | 1,320 mph | 1,123 mph | |||
| Max. altitude | ||||||
| More than 56,000 feet | More than 60,000 feet | 60,000 feet | 50,000 feet | |||
| Max. range* | ||||||
| 500 nautical miles | 2,500
nautical miles 2,400 nautical miles (F-15E) |
865 nautical miles | 1,275 nautical miles | |||
| Armament | ||||||
| Air-to-air missles | Air-to-air, air-to-ground and anti-radar missles | Air-to-air, air-to-ground and anti-radar missles | Air-to-air, air-to-ground and anti-radar missles | |||
| *Unrefueled range | ||||||
| SOURCES: Associated Press, Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide; Periscope; Federation of American Scientists | ||||||