Combat Aircraft In 2015

A-10 Thunderbolt II

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, better known by its nickname “Warthog,” is a U.S.-built close-air-support and forward-air-control fighter.

Eurofighter Typhoon

The Typhoon is a European, twin-engine multirole fighter built by the Eurofighter consortium—a partnership of aerospace companies from the U.K., Germany, Italy and Spain.

Rafale

The Dassault Rafale is a French-built, twin-engine multirole fighter built in both land and naval variants.

Sukhoi Flanker Family

The Su-27, Su-30, Su-33, Su-34 and Su-35 are variants of a fourth-generation, twin-engine fighter which bears the NATO code name “Flanker” and is built by Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau.

B-52 Stratofortress

The B-52 Stratofortress is a U.S.-built long-range, heavy bomber. It was produced by Boeing and continues to be maintained by the company.

B-1 Lancer

The B-1B Lancer is a U.S.-built long-range, heavy bomber produced by Rockwell International and sustained by Boeing.

B-2 Spirit

The B-2A Spirit is a low-observable, long-range, heavy bomber built by Northrop Grumman, which remains the prime contractor for its sustainment and modernization.

F-15 Eagle

The F-15 Eagle is a U.S.-built twin-engine, air-superiority fighter; later variants of its two-seat configuration incorporate extensive ground-attack equipment and serve as dual-role strike fighters.

F-16 Fighting Falcon

The F-16 Fighting Falcon (known as “Viper” to its operators) is a U.S.-built single-engine, multirole fighter.

F-35 Lightning II/Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)

The F-35 Lightning II/Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a U.S.-built fifth-generation, single-engine, multirole fighter developed in partnership with eight nations and produced by Lockheed Martin.

F/A-18 Hornet, Super Hornet

The F/A-18 is a U.S.-built twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter. It was initially produced by McDonnell Douglas and is now produced by Boeing.

EA-18 Growler

The EA-18G Growler is a U.S.-built twin-engine electronic attack fighter based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet Block II.

F-22 Raptor

The F-22 Raptor, produced by Lockheed Martin in partnership with Boeing, is the premier U.S. air superiority fighter.

JAS 39 Gripen

The JAS 39 Gripen is a Swedish-built, single-engine, multirole fighter produced by Saab.

AIDC (Aerospace Industrial Development Corp.) F-CK-1

The F-CK-1—also called the Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF)—is a light supersonic combat aircraft developed in the 1980s by Taiwan’s state-owned aerospace company AIDC.

AleniaAermacchi/Embraer AMX

The AMX is a subsonic ground-attack aircraft developed by the AMX International consortium formed in 1980 by Italy’s Alenia and Aermacchi and Brazil’s Embraer.

Boeing/BAE Systems Harrier II

The Harrier II is a subsonic vertical/short-takeoff-and-landing ground-attack aircraft now out of production.

Chengdu Aircraft FC-1

The FC-1 is a single-seat, multirole, supersonic light combat aircraft with a single 18,300-lb.-thrust Klimov RD-93 afterburning turbofan.

Chengdu Aircraft J-10

The J-10 is a single/two-seat interceptor/ground-attack aircraft powered by a 27,560-lb.-thrust Saturn AL-31FN afterburning turbofan, although the Chinese are working on a version with an indigenous WS-10 engine.

Chengdu Aircraft J-20

The J-20 is a twin-engine fighter with apparent stealth features. First flown in January 2011, it is expected to become operational after 2018.

Dassault Mirage 2000

The Mirage 2000 is a single-engine multirole combat aircraft. First flight was in 1978, with production running through 2007.

Hindustan Aeronautics Tejas Light Combat Aircraft

The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft is a single-seat supersonic fighter/attack aircraft indigenously designed to an Indian air force requirement.

When it comes to military combat aircraft, 2015 is supposed to mark a change from fourth- to fifth-generation aircraft in the U.S., with the planned initial operational capability of the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and the requested retirement of older aircraft. While U.S. military officials still predict the Marine Corps will begin operations with the jet before the year is through, technical difficulties and political considerations are expected to slow the transition.

On the international front, Denmark is expected to decide whether to purchase the F-35 as part of its competition to replace the F-16. In South America, Argentina may follow Brazil’s recent agreement to purchase the Saab Gripen, and Boeing will begin to deliver Saudi Arabia’s monster purchase of F-15SAs.

The following summaries draw on data and information compiled by Dan Katz of the Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN), where even more extensive program profiles, supplier information and specifications are available with an AWST or AWIN subscription: awin.aviationweek.com. Other profiles were provided by Forecast International, which also will contribute to AW&ST’s Aerospace 2015, to be published Dec. 29, 2014/Jan. 5, 2015.

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