Air Superiority Showdown: America’s vs. Russia’s Top Jets 

When it comes to dominance in the skies, U.S. and Russian fighter jets represent the pinnacle of aviation engineering. Each aircraft, from the stealthy F-22 Raptor to the agile Su-35, embodies decades of innovation and serves as a critical tool for air superiority and national security.

But what sets these jets apart, and which truly reign supreme? Here’s a closer look at 10 American and Russian fighters that have shaped—and continue to define—the battlefield above.

1. F-22 Raptor

• Maker: Lockheed Martin, US
• First Flight: September 7, 1997
• Introduction: December 15, 2005
• Specifications:
  • Length: 62 feet 1 inch
  • Wingspan: 44 feet 6 inches
  • Height: 16 feet 8 inches
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 83,500 pounds
  • Speed: Mach 2.25 (over 1,500 mph)
  • Range: 1,839 miles
  • Crew: 1

The F-22 Raptor is one of the most impressive fighter jets ever built. Its stealth design, advanced technology, and lightning-fast speed make it a force to be reckoned with in the sky.

It’s like a ghost plane – enemies can barely detect it, but it can detect them easily. It’s also armed to the teeth with missiles, bombs, and a 20mm cannon, making it a deadly opponent.

It’s no wonder why the F-22 has earned its reputation as one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world.

2. F-15 Eagle

• Maker: McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), US
• First Flight: July 27, 1972
• Introduction: January 9, 1976
• Specifications:
  • Length: 63 feet 9 inches
  • Wingspan: 42 feet 10 inches
  • Height: 18 feet 6 inches
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 104,000 pounds
  • Speed: Mach 2.5 (over 1,650 mph)
  • Range: 2,400 miles
  • Crew: 1 or 2 (for the F-15E variant)

A legendary fighter jet with a reputation for being tough and powerful, this plane has been used by the US military for over 40 years, and it’s still considered one of the best fighters in the sky.

The Eagle can reach supersonic speeds, meaning it can fly faster than the speed of sound. It’s armed with a range of weapons, including air-to-air missiles, bombs, and a powerful radar system that lets it detect enemies from a distance.

3. F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

• Maker: Boeing, US
• First Flight: November 29, 1995
• Introduction: 1999
• Specifications:
  • Length: 60 feet 1 inch
  • Wingspan: 44 feet 0 inches (with wings extended)
  • Height: 16 feet 0 inches
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 66,000 pounds
  • Speed: Mach 1.8 (over 1,190 mph)
  • Range: 2,000 miles
  • Crew: 1 (F/A-18E) or 2 (F/A-18F)

This is a versatile, modern-day fighter jet that can do it all. It can take off from aircraft carriers and fight in the air or hit ground targets with missiles and bombs.

This fighter is designed to work with a team. It’s got the ability to communicate with other jets and share information. The Super Hornet is not just tough but smart, using advanced technology to detect threats and protect itself from enemy attacks.

4. F-35 Lightning II

• Maker: Lockheed Martin, US
• First Flight: December 15, 2006
• Introduction: July 31, 2015
• Specifications:
  • Length: 51 feet 4 inches
  • Wingspan: 35 feet 0 inches
  • Height: 14 feet 3 inches
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 70,000 pounds (F-35A variant)
  • Speed: Mach 1.6 (over 1,200 mph)
  • Range: 1,380 miles
  • Crew: 1

This is a stealthy, high-tech fighter jet that’s all about being sneaky. It’s quiet and hard to detect on radar, so it can slip into enemy territory without detection.

And when the F-35 does its job, it’s like a one-plane army. This fighter has sensors and radars that can see through walls and the ground, so it can find its targets and take them out with pinpoint accuracy.

5. F-16 Fighting Falcon

• Maker: General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin), US
• First Flight: January 20, 1974
• Introduction: August 17, 1978
• Specifications:
  • Length: 49 feet 5 inches
  • Wingspan: 32 feet 8 inches
  • Height: 16 feet 0 inches
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 49,000 pounds
  • Speed: Mach 2.0 (over 1,320 mph)
  • Range: 2,280 miles
  • Crew: 1

This classic fighter jet has a reputation for being fast, maneuverable, and downright deadly in the air. This plane can hit speeds of over Mach 2—over twice the speed of sound, and it’s able to turn and twist in the sky like a fighter from the movies.

The F-16 also has smart sensors and systems that help it detect enemies and fire missiles from a distance. It’s a real classic, and it’s no surprise why the F-16 is still in action today.

6. Su-57 Felon

• Maker: Sukhoi, Russia
• First Flight: January 29, 2010
• Introduction: 2020
• Specifications:
  • Length: 65 feet 7 inches
  • Wingspan: 46 feet 0 inches
  • Height: 14 feet 3 inches
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 81,570 pounds
  • Speed: Mach 2.0 (over 1,300 mph)
  • Range: 2,200 miles
  • Crew: 1

The Su-57 Felon is Russia’s latest stealth fighter jet. This plane is designed to be difficult to detect, even on radar, and its sleek shape helps it slice through the air like a knife.

The Su-57 also packs a serious punch when it comes to weapons—it can carry a range of missiles and bombs that can take out enemy planes or ground targets from a long way away.

And here’s a fun fact: the Su-57 is named after a Russian word for “ghost,” which is fitting for a stealth fighter that’s hard to spot in the sky.

7. Su-35

• Maker: Sukhoi, Russia
• First Flight: February 19, 2008
• Introduction: 2014
• Specifications:
  • Length: 72 feet 10 inches
  • Wingspan: 48 feet 10 inches
  • Height: 16 feet 8 inches
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 80,000 pounds
  • Speed: Mach 2.25 (over 1,500 mph)
  • Range: 2,400 miles
  • Crew: 1

Known for being agile in the sky, this jet can pull off high-g maneuvers and sharp turns, dancing through the clouds and dodging enemy fire. The Su-35 also has an advanced radar system that can track multiple targets and can launch various weapons at those targets at once.

8. MiG-29

• Maker: Mikoyan, Russia
• First Flight: October 6, 1977
• Introduction: 1983
• Specifications:
  • Length: 49 feet 9 inches
  • Wingspan: 36 feet 1 inch
  • Height: 15 feet 3 inches
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 51,000 pounds
  • Speed: Mach 2.25 (over 1,500 mph)
  • Range: 1,200 miles
  • Crew: 1

The MiG-29 is like a bullet in the sky. This plane can hit supersonic speeds, leaving a trail of vapor in its wake. It’s got incredible maneuverability and can pull off stunts like the famous “Cobra” maneuver, (ref) which lets it practically stop in midair before turning around to attack an enemy. 

9. MiG-35

• Maker: Mikoyan, Russia
• First Flight: February 27, 2007
• Introduction: 2019
• Specifications:
  • Length: 50 feet 4 inches
  • Wingspan: 42 feet 8 inches
  • Height: 15 feet 5 inches
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 65,000 pounds
  • Speed: Mach 2.25 (over 1,500 mph)
  • Range: 1,900 miles
  • Crew: 1

This is the latest version of the classic MiG-29 fighter jet, and it’s got upgrades that make it a force to be reckoned with. Like its predecessor, the MiG-35 is fast and agile.

But it’s also loaded with sophisticated sensors and radars that can detect enemies from a long way away, coupled with a suite of weapons that can take out targets in the air or on the ground.

10. Su-30SM

• Maker: Sukhoi, Russia
• First Flight: September 21, 2012
• Introduction: 2016
• Specifications:
  • Length: 72 feet 3 inches
  • Wingspan: 48 feet 10 inches
  • Height: 16 feet 8 inches
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 100,000 pounds
  • Speed: Mach 2.0 (over 1,300 mph)
  • Range: 1,500 miles
  • Crew: 2

Built to handle any mission you can throw at it, this fighter jet can dogfight, bomb ground targets, and fly long-range missions thanks to its advanced fuel system. However, what really makes the Su-30SM stand out is its avionics and radar systems.

This jet can track multiple targets at once. And with its impressive array of weapons, the Su-30SM is not a plane you want to mess with.

Each plane has its strengths. As these two contending nations continue to develop and improve their air forces, their fighter jets will redefine the future of military aviation across the globe.