Decoding US Single Seater Fighter Aircraft and Their Counterparts
This guide aims to provide a brief and somewhat opinionated overview of the primary combat aircraft types operated by the US military, intended for readers who are not immersed in military aviation. Naturally, this will involve many simplifications for those who are, but since they likely already possess this knowledge, they can be simply disregarded for the purpose of this introduction.
Before delving further, a word on designations is necessary. The US military employs a reasonably consistent system for designating aircraft. It involves a letter or set of letters indicating the mission, followed by a dash, a sequence number for the specific aircraft type, and then a submodel letter for variants. Mission letters include ‘F’ for fighter, ‘B’ for bomber, ‘C’ for cargo, ‘H’ for hovering (helicopters), and so forth. These can be combined, such as ‘CH’ for a cargo helicopter or ‘RB’ for a reconnaissance-converted bomber. If a designation below shows two letters, the first typically represents the standard single-seat version, while the second indicates a two-seat variant.
Fighters
The fighter aircraft stands as the backbone of a modern air force. Its name originates from its initial role: engaging in combat with other aircraft to enable friendly operations while preventing enemy actions. Through a complex series of developments that are beyond the scope of this piece, the fighter also became the default platform for delivering air-to-ground weapons. A modern fighter typically accommodates one or two crew members and is powered by one or two engines capable of achieving supersonic speeds, though usually not sustained. Weaponry commonly includes several air-to-air missiles, a mix of short-range Sidewinders and long-range AMRAAMs. Air-to-ground ordnance is more varied, ranging from dumb and laser-guided bombs to GPS-guided bombs, short-range missiles, and long-range cruise missiles. Almost all fighters are also equipped with a 20mm gatling gun, although its effectiveness in modern combat is often debated. Understanding the distinction between a Single Seater Fighter Aircraft and its two-seat counterpart is key to appreciating their roles.
F-15C/D Eagle
By many accounts based on kill ratios, the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is considered one of the greatest fighter aircraft ever produced. This twin-engine, single-seat fighter was conceived purely for air superiority, adhering to the motto “not a pound for air-to-ground.” The Eagle is a large and fast aircraft that remains highly capable even half a century after its introduction. However, the existing US fleet is quite old and has been largely phased out of the active force, with the remaining approximately 150 planes primarily operated by the Air National Guard. The type is also in service with Japan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.
F-15C Eagle single seat fighter aircraft in flight
F-15E Strike Eagle
A two-seat derivative of the F-15, the Strike Eagle was specifically modified for all-weather air-to-ground weapons delivery, with the second crew member in the back seat acting as a weapons system operator. It is the heaviest among the “fighter” types, boasting significant fuel capacity and a substantial weapons payload. While its primary focus is ground attack, it retains a capability to shoot down other aircraft. F-15Es notably participated in Israel’s defense against the Iranian attack in April. The US operates around 200 of these aircraft, with Israel, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, and Qatar also flying the type. It remains in production and forms the basis for the F-15EX Eagle II, a model recently ordered by the US to replace the aging F-15C/D fleet, featuring improved engines and radar, and a renewed emphasis on air-to-air missions, often incorporating technologies found in the latest fighter aircraft in the world.
F-16C/D Fighting Falcon
Also known informally as the Viper, the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is arguably the archetypal Western jet fighter. Primarily a Single Seater Fighter Aircraft, though D models are two-seaters, this single-engine jet is one of the most versatile platforms available, fully capable in both air-to-air combat and ground attack roles. It was the first operational aircraft designed to be aerodynamically unstable, relying on computers for stability. The F-16 often specializes in missions like suppressing enemy air defenses, in addition to carrying the same range of weaponry as the Eagle variants. It has achieved significant export success, currently operated by 25 different countries, making it one of the most produced jet fighter aircraft globally. While the US is not adding to its fleet of around 700 aircraft, it remains in production for export, and a number of retired US aircraft have been transferred to Ukraine.
Wisconsin Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcon in a hangar
F/A-18C/D Hornet
The Navy’s answer to the F-16, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet features two engines instead of one and possesses somewhat better range. Its rather unusual designation reflects the combination of planned F-18 (fighter) and A-18 (attack) variants into a single airframe capable of performing both missions, facilitated by advancements in onboard computers. The Hornet is now approaching the end of its operational life, as the US Navy has replaced it with the Super Hornet (discussed below). However, it continues service with the Marine Corps for a few more years in some squadrons before being supplanted by F-35Cs. Designed for carrier operations, it was also purchased by 8 foreign nations for use from land bases, although many of these operators are also looking towards replacement options in the near future. The F/A-18 highlights the evolution of naval aviation from dedicated roles to multi-role capabilities.
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
Developed as a “derivative” of the legacy Hornet following the end of the Cold War, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is effectively a new aircraft designed to resemble its predecessor. It is larger, offers greater range, and is generally superior to the original Hornet in overall performance. Today, it forms the core of USN aviation, with typically four squadrons deployed on most aircraft carriers. The Super Hornet handles a wide array of missions, including air defense, ground attack, and supporting roles like aerial refueling. The twin-engine Super Hornet also serves as the basis for the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, which provides vital jamming support across the entire US military. Production is slowing down, but the fleet of approximately 400 Super Hornets in US service is expected to operate for many years alongside aircraft in Australia and Kuwait. This illustrates the continued reliance on capable twin engine fighter aircraft for carrier operations.
F/A-18E Super Hornet twin engine fighter aircraft flying over an aircraft carrier deck
F-22 Raptor
Originally conceived as a replacement for the F-15 in the air superiority role, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is a twin-engine design and represents the first of the aircraft commonly categorized as fifth-generation fighters. It boasts advanced stealth characteristics and is renowned for its extreme maneuverability – its airshow demonstrations are truly remarkable. The Raptor is also capable of “supercruise,” meaning it can fly faster than Mach 1 without engaging fuel-inefficient afterburners. Unfortunately, despite being arguably the best pure single seater fighter aircraft in the world for air-to-air combat, the decision was made in 2009 to end its production. Consequently, only about 180 aircraft are available, and restarting the production line would incur prohibitively high costs. To date, its only documented combat “kills” have been balloons.
F-35 Lightning II/Joint Strike Fighter
US and British F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft in formation flight
The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), officially designated the F-35 Lightning II, represents the latest leap in military aviation technology. Its purpose is to equip the US and its allies with a stealthy fighter/ground attack aircraft that leverages cutting-edge computer technology to provide pilots with an unparalleled understanding of the battlefield. In an effort to contain costs, it is being produced in three main variants: the F-35A for the Air Force, primarily replacing the F-16; the F-35B for the Marine Corps, featuring short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities at the expense of some payload and range; and the F-35C for the Navy, designed for standard carrier operations. The F-35 program has certainly faced its share of controversy over development challenges and costs, which can be explored in discussions like fighter aircraft cost comparison. Nevertheless, with over 1,000 aircraft built so far for the US and approximately 20 other nations, the F-35, in its various single-seat configurations (F-35A, F-35B, F-35C), is poised to be a cornerstone of Western air power for decades to come and appears to be performing quite effectively in service.
Attack Aircraft
These aircraft are generally similar in size to fighters but are specifically designed for the ground attack mission. They come in two main types: turboprop-powered planes suited for engaging targets without significant air defenses, and jet-powered ones that are akin to fighters but often lack some of the advanced electronic suites found on multi-role fighters. Turboprop versions are becoming increasingly popular due to their lower operating costs, while the jet-powered attack aircraft types are declining because they cost nearly as much to operate as more versatile fighters, and are considered less engaging to fly. Their weapon loads are typically comparable to those of a fighter configured for ground attack missions. While focused on ground support, they represent a different mission profile compared to a dedicated tejas fighter aircraft or similar platforms focused on air dominance.
AV-8B Harrier II
The Harrier was groundbreaking as the first truly successful Short Take Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) combat aircraft. It was quickly adopted by the US Marine Corps, who valued its ability to operate from amphibious assault ships despite its relatively short range. The AV-8B is almost a fighter, equipped with radar and capable of employing AMRAAM missiles, but its inability to achieve supersonic speeds and its ‘A’ designation classify it primarily as an attack aircraft here. It is currently being retired as the F-35B, which has surpassed the Harrier in the Marine Corps inventory, takes over its mission profile.
A-10 Thunderbolt II
A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft flying upside down
Affectionately (or perhaps not) known as the “Warthog,” the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is a famously unconventional-looking yet much-celebrated aircraft developed expressly to provide close air support – effectively, destroying targets that are threatening ground troops. Proponents highlight its formidable 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger gun and its exceptional ruggedness, arguing that the Air Force’s desire to retire it is largely driven by a reluctance to prioritize Army support missions and its lack of high speed. While these points contain some truth, critics note that flying at low altitudes to provide close support is inherently very dangerous in contested airspace. Furthermore, they argue that the cost of operating the A-10 is not substantially cheaper than that of much more versatile fighters. Thus, the approximately 280 A-10s currently in service could potentially be replaced by a similar number of multi-role aircraft. I personally lean towards the latter viewpoint, although I readily acknowledge the A-10 as a truly impressive feat of engineering tailored to a specific role.
OA-1K Skywarden
A modified version of a cropduster, the L3Harris OA-1K Skywarden was recently ordered to support US Special Operations Command (SOCOM). This aircraft represents the current US contribution to the “turboprop attack aircraft” category. It is generally considered a decent aircraft, with the notable exception of being given the “A-1” designation for “heritage” reasons, which many feel unjustly appropriates the designation from the legendary Douglas A-1 Skyraider, one of aviation’s truly iconic types.
Bombers
Bombers are significantly larger than fighters and are designed exclusively for engaging ground targets. Their increased size translates to greater range, making them the aircraft of choice for missions requiring operations from the Continental US to deliver bombs and launch missiles against distant targets, often requiring support from forward-deployed tankers. Bombers almost universally require two pilots, and most include additional crew members to operate weapon systems and electronic warfare equipment.
B-52H Stratofortress
Still relevant today as it was in the Eisenhower era, the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, affectionately nicknamed the BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fellow), was the third jet bomber introduced into US service. The first prototype flew in 1952, and remarkably, the type remains in service, with recent modernization programs announced to replace its engines and install new radar systems. While definitively non-stealthy, the fleet of 72 B-52s remains valuable due to its massive payload capacity for bombs or cruise missiles (20 tons is a standard loadout) and its relative cost-effectiveness and reliability compared to the other two bomber types. This is particularly impressive given that these airframes date back to the early 1960s.
B-1B Lancer
B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft in flight
Often regarded as the most aesthetically pleasing of the US bombers, the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, known as the Bone, is the only remaining swing-wing aircraft in the US inventory. In terms of capability, it is not dramatically different from the B-52, although it is technically capable of supersonic flight. The main drawbacks are that pilots sometimes fly it aggressively like a fighter, and this, coupled with the complexity of the variable-sweep wing mechanism, results in high operating costs and less-than-ideal reliability for the 64-plane fleet. Furthermore, unlike the other two types discussed, the B-1B is no longer configured to carry nuclear weapons.
B-2 Spirit
The renowned “stealth bomber,” the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, is designed to penetrate heavily defended airspace to deliver bombs directly onto targets. However, like all stealth aircraft, it is expensive to operate due to the demanding maintenance required to preserve its stealth features. The B-2 is particularly infamous in this regard, incurring eye-watering costs to fly. Additionally, the production run was limited to just 21 aircraft, of which 19 remain in service. The B-2 is scheduled for retirement over the next decade as the B-21 Raider, which bears a strong visual resemblance but is slightly smaller and anticipated to be significantly cheaper to operate, enters operational service.
This concludes the initial overview of the primary US military aircraft designed for delivering bombs and missiles to targets on the ground. In the next installment, we will begin exploring the diverse and often unconventional world of support aircraft that enable these missions.
by bean
