This list, which for the sake of brevity (largely) treats aircraft as isolated weapon systems, does not favour the Super Hornet: in reality, with support from E-2Ds and advanced other assets, US Navy Super Hornets would be extremely capable in the BVR arena against most adversaries.Īrmament for A2A mission: Super Hornet (high drag ‘Christmas tree’) 12 x AIM-120, realistic = 6 x AIM-120C-7 + 2/4 AIM-9X ) (1 x 20-mm cannon) Read an exclusive interview with a Super Hornet pilot here. One scathing report said ‘ …operational testing does not demonstrate a statistically significant difference in mission accomplishment between F/A-18E/F aircraft equipped with AESA and those equipped with the legacy radar.’ The much-touted AN/APG-79 AESA radars introduced on Block II aircraft has proved unreliable and has enormous development problems. The touch screen cockpit has disadvantages, as switches and buttons can be felt ‘blind’ and do not require ‘heads-down’ use. It is happiest at lower speeds and altitudes, making it a fearsome dogfighter, but is less capable at the BVR mission a mediocre high-speed high-altitude performance disadvantage the ‘Rhino’ as does a pedestrian climb rate and poor acceleration at higher speeds. ![]() Well equipped with a great defensive system and excellent weapons the Super Hornet has much to offer. With Conformal Fuel Tanks its agility is severely limited.Īrmament for A2A mission: 4 x AIM-120C-7, 2 x AIM-9X (1 x 20-mm cannon). However, the type is let down by mediocre ‘high and fast’ performance, and fewer missiles and a smaller detection range than some of its larger rivals. (This list is BVR only, for WVR see here)Ī great sensor suite, including a modern AESA and comprehensive defensive aids systems is combined with advanced weapons and a proven platform a small radar cross section also helps. If you’ve enjoyed an article you can donate here. This site is in peril as it is well below its funding targets. The Chengdu J-20 is not considered mature enough to make this list. This list only includes currently active fighters (so no PAK FAs etc) and only includes weapons and sensors that are actually in service today. The exact ordering of this list is open to question, but all the types mentioned are extraordinarily potent killers. Hardware is generally less important than training and tactics - removing these human factors from the mix allows us to judge the most deadly long-range fighting machines currently in service. ![]() The black magic of the aircraft’s electronic warfare suite can also come into its own, reducing the opponent’s situational awareness. The aircraft must give its crews sufficient situational awareness not to shoot their friends down, and be easy to operate so it can deploy its weapons quickly and accurately. It must be able to fly high and fast to impart the maximum range to its missiles, allowing them to hit the enemy before he is even aware of their presence. To excel in Beyond Visual Range air combat a fighter must be well-armed and equipped with capable avionics.
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