F-15 vs F-16 Fighting Falcon (2024)

FAQs

Who would win in a dogfight F-15 or F-16? ›

They're both fast, extremely maneuverable, have excellent radars and avionics, and are just superb fighters. Between the two of them, the F-15 would have a slight edge in performance, but in the end, the capabilities of the two planes are so similar that it would come down to the pilots.

F-16 Fighting Falcon. The F-15 is a twin-engine fighter jet capable of extremely high speeds and altitudes, while the F-16 is a less powerful but more maneuverable single-engine fighter aircraft.

The Fighting Falcon has accumulated 72 air-to-air kills with no air-to-air losses except for one fratricide loss by the Pakistani Air Force when an AIM-9L switched-lock onto a wingman. Engagements and Kills were recorded throughout more than 30,000 world-wide air-to-air and air-to-ground combat sorties.

The F-15 has never lost a dogfight

That's right folks, the F-15 has an air-to-air record of 104 and 0. That's better than the F-16 (76-1), the F-14 Tomcat (135-4), and even Mike Tyson (50-6).

It is among the most successful modern fighters, with over 100 victories and no losses in aerial combat, with the majority of the kills by the Israeli Air Force.

But make no mistake, modern fighters have to be able to win fights in the air… and the truth is, most pilots heading into such a fight would pick the F-35 every time over the nimble, but much older, F-16.

Notably, despite its extraordinary stealth capabilities, it has lost several dogfights with less-advanced aircraft, including General Dynamics F-16 and the Navy's EA-18G Growler. Moreover, dogfights with German Eurofighter Typhoons on multiple occasions have also proved to be reputation-damaging for the Raptor.

A record unmatched by any fighter in history. Early F-15 A and B models were soon joined by C and D variants, improving the aircraft's range, payload, and weapon systems. Originally conceived as an air superiority fighter, the F-15 would also be developed into a formidable ground attack aircraft.

In an air-to-surface role, the F-16 can fly more than 500 miles (860 kilometers), deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point. An all-weather capability allows it to accurately deliver ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions.

In 2015, the aviation world and the U.S. defense industry were shocked when an old F-16 shot down in mock combat a brand new F-35. The problem was all the context was lost.

Would an F-35 beat an F-16? ›

Finally, the F-35 office said simulated combat scenarios have shown that four F-35s have won encounters when pitted against a four-ship of F-16s. "The F-35s won each of those encounters because of its sensors, weapons, and stealth technology," the statement said.

Yugoslavia (1994–1995, 1999)

During Allied Force, Dutch F-16 J-063 flown by Major Peter Tankink shot down one Yugoslavian MiG-29, with an AMRAAM, flown by Lt. Colonel Predrag Milutinovic (callsign "Grof") .

The F-15 has never been shot down in a dogfight, while many MiG-29s have; some by F-15s. In 1999, an F-15 shot down two MiG-29s in one dogfight. The Pilot, Jeff Hwang, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his victories.

The McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle

A perfect combination of speed, acceleration, range, maneuverability and electronic warfare avionics, the F-15 can carry 23,000 pounds of weapons to anywhere it needs to drop them, then fight its way home if need be.

It would have indeed been a formidable feat for the rebels, who have so far managed to harass unsuspecting commercial vessels. In nearly two decades of official operation, no F-22 Raptor stealth fighter has ever been shot down before, but there have been a few that have crashed due to accidents.

The F-22 Raptor, developed by Lockheed Martin, is widely regarded as the most advanced fighter jet in the world. Equipped with stealth technology, advanced avionics, and supercruise capability, the F-22 possesses unmatched maneuverability and situational awareness.

Two USAF F-16s were patrolling the no-fly zone over southern Iraq when they spotted the MiGs repeatedly breaching the zone. After ignoring warnings, one was shot down by the AMRAAM in the first USAF air-to-air kill credited to the F-16.

Summary. The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is the fastest aircraft in the USAF, reaching top speeds of Mach 2.5. The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor excels as the best dogfighter with superior maneuverability in combat.