Air Combat - The world's top fighting aircraft

[fatman17]

4 - Etendard M , French Navy
Facts & Figures;
Etendard has been the mainstay of the french Naval Air Force, the Aeronavale, since the type first entered service in 1961.

Super Etendard is a carrier-based single-seat strike fighter, first introduced into service in 1978 and 74 were delivered.

Super Etendard is a larger, more powerful a/c than earlier versions and its recogniseable over the IVM variant by its slightly drooping nose radome.

The main operational difference over earlier a/c is that it can undertake both strike and reconn missions.

Can carry the Aerospatiale AM-39 Exocet ASM and can be configured as "buddy tanker".

Upgrades during the 1990s led to the Super Etendard Modernise (SEM) and the latest standard 5 upgraded a/c, which entered service in December 2006. these a/c can use the latest generation of PGWs and have night-vision capability.

French Navy Etendards flew more than 400 combat missions over Kosovo.

In November 2001, Super Etendards deployed on the french AC carrier, Charles de Gaulle for ops in Afghanistan.

About 50 a/c remain in service, of which 35 received the standard 5 upgrade.

Expected to remain in service beyond 2010.

Aircraft also supplied to Iraq and Argentina.

Combat Fact;
the French Navy undertook the first combat deployment of its Super Etendard Modernise to Kandahar, Afghanistan in June 2008.

 

[Wingman]

thankyou sir for your informative posts,

i have to agree with danger-zone. let us move to the planes we are more concerned with, the mig 21, 27 and 29! the Su-27 the mirages and F7!

however i can wait for there turn but wish it comes soon!!

Just limiting ur list to Mig21, Mirages....ur wish will be coming soon

 

[Wingman]

in due time - hold on to your jets!

Fatman17....ur display name reminds me of W/C Nazar Hayat, Mirage/F-6 Pilot any idea about his where about.. A bulky guy, he was our neighbour at PAF Base Sargodha...

 

[fatman17]

5 - F-4E Phantom, Turkish Air Force
Facts & Figures
Production version of the F-4E was originally to be designated F-4E plus; "Plus" standing for Plus Gun. First flew in 1967 and nearly 1,400 built.

Turkey acquired 233 F-4Es and RF-4Es starting in the 1970s.

One of only three remaining operators of the F-4 in Europe. Germany and Greece are the other two.

Turkey received 40 former USAF F-4Es as payment for its UN support during the Gulf war.

The THK - Turkish Air Force operates its F-4Es in the attack and interception roles.

IAI upgraded 54 THK F-4Es to a standard based on Israel's "Phantom 2000" program. the turkish named the upgrade as the F-4E 2020 'Terminator'.

Each a/c received improved avionics and structural upgrades, optimised for ATG attack.

The Turkish AF hopes the programme will add a further 20 years of service life to the aircraft.

THK Phantoms undertook combat missions against Kurdish rebels (PKK) during the 1990s.

Combat Fact;
During the Vietnam war, USAF F-4Es flew missions loaded with 14 750Ib (1,650kg) bombs and two AIM-7 Sparrow A2A missiles, and a centerline tank.

 

[DANGER-ZONE]

But F7 is Chinese version of Mig 21

yaaa u hav a answer in your question "F7 is Chinese version of Mig 21".
so it is another version of mig-21.if u hav doubt then tell me how chinese built f-7?
simple,by the help of Russies using mig-21.

 

[fatman17]

6 - F-4F Phantom, German Air Force
Facts & Figures;
Most advanced Phantom in service alongside the Hellenic Air Force F-4E AUP (Advanced Upgrade Program)

175 were delivered to the German Air Force from 1973 onwards under the "Peace Rhino" program.

Initial a/c delivered were stripped-down F-4Es with no air-refuelling capability and weighing 3,000 Ib (1,650kg) less.

Only Germany operates this vatiant.

Re-fuelling capability plus enhanced weapons added in the 1980s.

Planned retirement date is 2012.

Combat Fact;
Improved Combat Effectiveness (ICE) programme initiated in the 1990s to upgrade 110 aircraft.

 

[fatman17]

7 - F-5E Tiger, Swiss Air Force
Facts & Figures;
Designed in the 1950s, the F-5E Tiger II is a much improved version of the earlier F-5A Freedom Fighter.

Forward wing redesigned to give it its characteristic triple delta shape.

Wide variety of upgrade programmes by various manufacturers has ensured the Tiger remains a highly agile and effective light tactical fighter.

Around 450 a/c were still flying with 26 air arms around the world.

Should remain in service until 2020.

First of 110 Swiss a/c was received in August 1978 and the last in 1985. 12 of these were two-seat F-5Fs.

Combat Fact;
Switzerland, Spain, Turkey and Norway are the remaining four european operators.

 

[Arsalan]

thankyou sir, keep on posting, i am anxiously waiting for my turn!!

 

[fatman17]

8 - F-15E Strike Eagle, USAF
Facts & Figures;
Long-range, dual-role, day-night all weather fighter designed to perform A2A and A2G missions with air to ground attack. Generally regarded as the most potent operational fighter in the world.

Deep-strike mission capability is a departure from the air superiority intent of the original F-15 Eagle.

Outstanding manoeuverability and acceleration achieved through high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing loading which allows it to accelerate while in a vertical climb.

Range of 2,400 miles (3.840km) with external and conformal fuel tanks attached.

Weapons systems operator (WSO) in rear seat uses multiple screens to display information from radar, EW and infra-red sensors.

Four export versions of the Strike Eagle were sold to Israel (F-15I), S/Arabia (F-15S), S/Korea (F-15K) and Singapore (F-15SG).

Scored ground hits on 65 MiGs during Operation Iraqi Freedom

Combat Fact;
First confirmed air-to-air kill by an F-15E was an Iraqi Mil-24 Hind in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm

 

[fatman17]

9 - F-16 Fighting Falcon, USAF
Facts & Figures;
USAF received around 1,200 of the single-seat F-16C version.

Designed as a lightweight fighter, the F-16 has successfully evolved into a multi-role aircraft.

Block 25 was the first of seven main F-16C variants. Block 52 was the last.

Block 30 and Block 32 a/c were the first to be designated under the Alternate Fighter Engine project under which manufacturers were alternated.

Block 30, 40 and 50 are fitted with GE engines and Block 32, 42 and 52 are fitted with P&W engines.

Each F-16C variant gained additional capability, for example, Block 40/42 in service since 1988, is equipped with LANTRIN increasing its all weather, day/night capability.

F-16C Block 50, known as the F-16CJ "Wild Weasel" is a specialised variant best known for the suppression of enemy air defence (SEAD) role using the AGM-88 HARM.

The LM AN/AAQ 33 Sniper advanced targeting pod is used by all variants of the F-16C from Block 30 upwards.

Combat Fact;
During Desert Storm in 1991, 249 USAF F-16s flew 13,340 sorties in strikes against Iraq, the highest number undertaken by any type of coalition a/c.

 

[fatman17]

10 - F-16F Desert Falcon, UAE Air Force
Facts & Figures;
UAE Air Force was the first customer for the F-16 Block 60.

Block 60 designation was originally reserved back in 1989 and at one point featured a delta wing design. the original block 60 did not go into production.

Non US operators of the F-16 total 24.

Aircraft have conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) for extended range,new cockpit displays, a new mission computer and other advanced features including US Northrop-Grumman radar for tracking multiple targets.

CFTs provide additional 450 US gallons (2,045 liters) of fuel which extends range and frees up hardpoints for weapons.

Combat Fact;
Total of 80 a/c ordered; 55 single-seat and 25 twin-seat F-16Fs for delivery between 2004 and 2009.

 

[fatman17]

11 - JF-17 Thunder, Pakistan Air Force
View attachment 3502

Facts & Figures;
Chinese built, the Chengdu FC-1 or JF-17 (Joint Fighter) as designated for Pakistan, is an all-weather, multi-role light fighter aircraft capable of both A2A and A2G missions.

Designed to give maximum combat effectiveness for minimum cost!

Airframe is constructed from alloys to reduce cost and weight.

Will replace the ageing A-5s, Mirages and F-7Ps.

Regional competition will come in the shape of the Indian LCA.

First flight of the FC-1 took place in 1996, but its official debut was of China's fourth international airshow on September 2, 2003.

First combat aircraft ever built by the air force under licence at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra.

First JF-17s were delivered to the PAF in March 2008, all single-seat for the time being.

First operational squadron by late 2009, with 10 to 12 squadrons planned for the long term.

Eventual requirement is for upto 250 JF-17s. Plan is for an eventual delivery schedule of 25-30 aircraft per year to 2015. Export potential exists.

JF-17 has a maximum speed of March 1.6 with a high thrust-to-weight ratio.

Combat Facts;
In close combat the JF-17 excels at being truly agile and responsive to the pilot's commands.

 

[DANGER-ZONE]

yarr what the hek is this.
this thread is about WORLDS TOP FIGHTING AIRCRAFTS,and u hav so far written about those aircraft which r used by few countries espacially USA.
secondly in a few early posts there wer attack aircrafts.????

plz acc to ur threat,talk about WORLDS AIRCRAFTS,which they r used by no of countries,took a part in many battles and ranked as best fighter by other countries but not the menufecturer.
like f-16,f-4 and f-5 from ur thread.
sho-we

 

[fatman17]

12 - MiG-21 Fishbed, Croatian Air Force
View attachment 3501
Facts & Figures;
One of the most remarkable aircraft of the cold war.More than 50 countries on four continents have flown the MiG-21 and it is estimated that more than 10,000 were built.

NATO code-name for the MiG-21bis is Fishbed-L and Mongol-B the two-seat MiG-21UM.

LanceR was the designation given to the MiG-21 upgrade undertaken for the Romanian AF by Elbit Systems

Modernisation programme instigated due to a lack of Russian spare parts for the aircraft.

LanceR was the first operational a/c capable of employing eastern and western armament, including the French Magic A2A missiles and Russian S-24 rockets.

Indian Air Force is the largest operator of the Russian aircraft, licence built in India at HAL, Nasik.

 

[fatman17]

yarr what the hek is this.
this thread is about WORLDS TOP FIGHTING AIRCRAFTS,and u hav so far written about those aircraft which r used by few countries espacially USA.
secondly in a few early posts there wer attack aircrafts.????

plz acc to ur threat,talk about WORLDS AIRCRAFTS,which they r used by no of countries,took a part in many battles and ranked as best fighter by other countries but not the menufecturer.
like f-16,f-4 and f-5 from ur thread.
sho-we

be my guest and provide your data!if you have it!