The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle has had over 100 combat victories and no losses, reaching speeds of Mach 2.5, pushing past its predecessors into the “wild blue yonder.” In addition to speed, the F-15 is heavily armed and an excellent combat fighter. The F-15 Eagle is considered one of the most successful modern fighters of the United States Air Force, standing in a long line of fighter planes whose service has been undeniably game-changing in years past. This line began with the P-80 Shooting Star, developed as a jet fighter in 1943 by Lockheed and was instrumental in the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II. From the beginning of this program in 1943 to where it stands now, the USAAF has made itself a high-stakes contender in air combat.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of U.S. Aircraft from a Military Factory to determine every central fighter plane to have been in service for the U.S. military. To help tell the story, they have been ordered chronologically by the year the USAAF introduced them into service. Supplemental information from Military Factory is also added and includes the type of aircraft, manufacturer, total aircraft produced, and top speed. While this list is extensive, it does not include lesser-known aircraft or those with smaller production runs.
The story you will gather from these aircraft is one of evolution, willpower, and the desire to be better, faster, and stronger in the sky. You will learn about the change in aircraft takeoff capabilities, from the need for a runway to launching from aircraft carriers or utilizing a vertical takeoff and landing. You might also pick up on the speeds of these aircraft, weapons systems, and heights they can fly. All these upgrades tell the story of the United States Air Force staying true to its motto, “Aim High…Fly-Fight-Win, Integrity first, Service before self, Excellence in all we do.”
Why Are We Talking about Fighter Planes of the U.S. Air Force?
The U.S. Air Force is an arm of the Department of Defense, whose job is to protect our citizens but which also happens to be the largest employer in the United States. Not only does it keep Americans working, it is also an innovator of technology. Technology is how we stay ahead of others on the world’s stage and protect and defend our borders. Fighter planes have been a pivotal instrument in protecting us since World War II, and understanding the development of this tool/weapon is another way to understand better how our country defends itself.
Here is a look at every significant fighter plane in the U.S. military.
40. Curtiss P-36 Hawk (Hawk 75/Mohawk)
The Curtiss P-36 Hawk, a monoplane fighter aircraft, was introduced in 1938. Curtiss Aeroplane Company produced 1,115 before retiring it. This aircraft reached a top speed of 322 mph.
39. Brewster F2A (Buffalo)
The monoplane fighter, Brewster F2A, hit the production lines in 1939. Brewster Aeronautical Corporation produced 509 by the time it was retired. The Brewster could reach speeds of 321 mph.
38. Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation began producing the Lockheed P-38 Lightning in 1939. It was a heavy fighter-bomber aircraft that reached speeds of 414 mph. By the time it was retired, 9,923 were produced.
37. Grumman F4F Wildcat
The Grumman F4F Wildcat, a carrierborne monoplane fighter aircraft, was introduced in 1940. Grumman Aircraft produced 7,722 before retiring it. This aircraft reached a top speed of 332 mph.
36. Bell P-39 Airacobra
The fighter-bomber, Bell P-39 Airacobra, hit the production lines in 1941. Bell Aircraft produced 9,588 by the time it was retired. The Airacobra could reach speeds of 386 mph.
35. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
Curtiss-Wright Corporation began producing the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk in 1941. This fighter-bomber aircraft reached speeds of 378 mph. By the time it was retired, 16,800 were made by Curtiss-Wright Corporation.
34. Douglas A-20 Havoc / Boston
The Douglas A-20 Havoc / Boston, a night-fighter aircraft, was introduced in 1941. Douglas Aircraft Company produced 7,478 before it was retired. This aircraft reached a top speed of 339 mph.
33. North American P-51 Mustang
The North American P-51 Mustang, the fighter-bomber aircraft, hit the production lines in 1942. North American Aviation produced 15,586 by the time it was retired. The P-51 Mustang could reach speeds of 437 mph.
32. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
Republic Aviation Corporation began producing the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in 1942. It was a fighter-bomber aircraft that reached speeds of 433 mph. By the time it was retired, 15,660 were produced for the USAAF.
31. Vought F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair, a carrierborne fighter-bomber aircraft, was introduced in 1942. Vought produced 12,571 before it was retired. This aircraft reached top speeds of 446 mph.
30. Bell P-63 Kingcobra
The fighter aircraft Bell P-63 Kingcobra hit the production lines in 1943. By the time it was retired, Bell Aircraft had produced 3,303. The Kingcobra could reach speeds of 410 mph.
29. Brewster F3A (F4U-1) Corsair
Brewster Aeronautical Corporation began production of the Brewster F3A (F4U-1) Corsair in 1943. It was manufactured as a carrier-borne single-engine fighter, reaching speeds of 416 mph. By the time it was retired, 600 were produced for the USAAF.
28. Grumman F6F Hellcat
The Grumman F6F Hellcat, a carrierborne fighter-bomber aircraft, was introduced in 1943. Grumman Aircraft produced 12,272 before it was retired. This aircraft reached a top speed of 380 mph.
27. Northrop P-61 / F-61 Black Widow
The night-fighter aircraft, Northrop P-61 / F-61 Black Widow, hit the production lines in 1943. Northrop produced 742 by the time it was retired. The Black Widow could reach speeds of 366 mph.
26. Grumman F8F Bearcat
Grumman Aircraft began producing the F8F Bearcat in 1945. It was a carrier-borne fighter/ interceptor aircraft that reached speeds of 421 mph. By the time it was retired, 1,266 were produced.
25. Lockheed P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star
The Lockheed P-80/ F-80 Shooting Star is a jet-powered fighter-bomber aircraft introduced in 1945. Lockheed Aircraft Corporation produced 1,715 before retiring it. This aircraft reached a top speed of 577 mph.
24. Grumman F9F Panther
The carrierborne fighter, Grumman F9F Panther, hit the production lines in 1949. Grumman Aircraft produced 1,382 by the time it was retired. The Panther could reach speeds of 545 mph.
23. Lockheed F-94 Starfire
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation began producing the Lockheed F-94 Starfire in 1950. It was an all-weather interceptor aircraft that reached speeds of 585 mph. By the time it was retired, 853 were produced.
22. Grumman F9F Cougar
The Grumman F9F Cougar, a carrierborne fighter aircraft, was introduced in 1952. Grumman Aircraft produced 1,392 before retiring it. This aircraft reached a top speed of 647 mph.
21. F-100 Super Saber
The tactical reconnaissance/ bomber F-100 Super Saber hit the production lines in 1954. North American Aviation produced 2,294 by the time it was retired. The Saber could reach speeds of 864 mph.
20. North American F-100 Super Sabre
North American Aviation began producing the North American F-100 Super Saber in 1954. It was a fighter-bomber aircraft that reached speeds of 864 mph. By the time it was retired, 2,294 were produced.
19. North American FJ-2 / FJ-3 Fury
The North American FJ-2/ FJ-3 Fury, a carrierborne fighter-bomber aircraft, was introduced in 1954. North American Aviation produced 741 before retiring it. This aircraft reached a top speed of 676 mph.
18. CONVAIR F-102 Delta Dagger
The supersonic interceptor aircraft CONVAIR F-102 Delta Dagger hit the production lines in 1956. CONVAIR produced 1,000 by the time it was retired. The Delta Dagger could reach speeds of 825 mph.
17. Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
McDonnell Douglas began producing the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk in 1956. It was a light-attack carrierborne fighter aircraft that reached speeds of 645 mph. By the time it was retired, 2,960 were produced.
16. F-102 Delta Dagger
The F-102 Delta Dagger, a single-seat supersonic interceptor aircraft, was introduced in 1956. CONVAIR produced 1,000 before it was retired. This aircraft reached a top speed of 825 mph.
15. F-101 Voodoo
The twin-engine interceptor, F-101 Voodoo, hit the production lines in 1957. McDonnell Douglas produced 885 by the time it was retired. The Voodoo could reach speeds of 1,134 mph.
14. Vought F-8 Crusader
Vought began producing the F-8 Crusader in 1957. It was a carrierborne naval fighter aircraft that reached speeds of 1,118 mph. By the time it was retired, 1,219 were produced.
13. F-104 Starfighter
The F-104 Straighter, a single-seat supersonic interceptor aircraft, was introduced in 1958. Lockheed Aircraft Corporation produced 2,578 before retiring it. This aircraft reached top speeds of 1,320 mph.
12. F-106 Delta Dart
The single-seat supersonic interceptor aircraft, the F-106 Delta Dart, hit the production lines in 1959. By the time it was retired, CONVAIR had produced 350. The Delta Dart could reach speeds of 1,487 mph.
11. F-4 Phantom II
McDonnell Douglas began producing the F-4 Phantom II in 1960. It was a carrier-based strike fighter aircraft that reached speeds of 1,473 mph. By the time it was retired, 5,195 were produced for the USAAF.
10. F-111 Aardvark
The F-111 Aardvark, a long-range strategic medium bomber/ tactical strike aircraft, was introduced in 1967. General Dynamics produced 554 before retiring it. This aircraft reached top speeds of 1,650 mph.
9. Grumman F-14 Tomcat
The swing-wing, carrier-based fleet defense fighter, Grumman F-14 Tomcat, hit the production lines in 1974. By the time it was retired, Grumman Aircraft had produced 712. The Tomcat could reach speeds of 1,544 mph.
8. F-15 Eagle
McDonnell Douglas/ Boeing began production of the F-15 Eagle in 1976. It was manufactured as an air superiority fighter aircraft, reaching speeds of 1,875 mph. By its retirement, 1,500 were produced McDonnell Douglas/ Boeing.
7. F-16 Fighting Falcon
The F-16 Fighting Falcon, a lightweight multi-role fighter aircraft, was introduced in 1978. General Dynamics/ Lockheed Martin produced 4,604 before it was retired. This aircraft reached top speeds of 1,317 mph.
6. F/A-18 Hornet
The carrier-based strike fighter aircraft, F/A-18 Hornet, hit the production lines in 1983. McDonnell Douglas/Boeing/Northrop produced 1,480 when it was retired. The Hornet could reach speeds of 1190 mph.
5. AV-8B Harrier II
McDonnell Douglas/ Boeing/BAe Systems began production of the AV-8B Harrier II in 1985. It was manufactured as a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) strike aircraft, reaching speeds of 665 mph. By the time it was retired, 500 were produced for the USAAF.
4. F-15E Strike Eagle
The F-15E Strike Eagle, a strike fighter aircraft, was introduced in 1988. McDonnell Douglas/Boeing produced 420 before it was retired. This aircraft reached a top speed of 1,653 mph.
3. F/A-18 Super Hornet
The carrier-based strike fighter aircraft, F/A-18 Super Hornet, hit the production lines in 1999. McDonnell Douglas/Boeing produced 615 by the time it was retired. The Hornet could reach speeds of 1,187 mph.
2. F-22 Raptor
Boeing/Lockheed Martin began production of the F-22 Raptor in 2055. It is an air-dominant fighter aircraft that can reach speeds of 1,599 mph. So far, 195 have been produced for the USAAF.
1. F-35 Lightning II
The F-35 Lightning II, an advanced multi-role strike fighter aircraft, was introduced in 2016. Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman/BAe Systems has produced 785 so far. This aircraft reached a top speed of 1,199 mph.
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