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F-15 Eagle vs. F-16 Fighting Falcon

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F-15

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F-16

Role
Air-superiority fighterMulitrole fighter
Generation
4th generation4th generation
National Origin
United StatesUnited States
Manufacturer
McDonnell DouglasGeneral Dynamics
Price (USD)
$87 Million$64 Million
Primary Users
US Air ForceUS Air Force
First Flight
19721974
Last Production Year
In ProductionIn Production
# Units Built
>1600>4600
Status
In ServiceIn Service
Seats
11 (F-16C) / 2 (F-16D)
Length
19 m63 ft
15 m49 ft
Wingspan
13 m42 ft
10 m32 ft
Wing Area
56 m²608 ft²
28 m²301 ft²
Height
5 m18 ft
4 m16 ft
Empty Weight
12,701 kg28,000 lbs
8,573 kg18,900 lbs
Gross Weight
20,185 kg44,500 lbs
12,020 kg26,500 lbs
MTOW
30,844 kg68,000 lbs
19,187 kg42,300 lbs
Fuel Capacity
6,103 kg13,455 lbs
3,175 kg7,000 lbs
Number of Engines
21
Engine Type
TurbofanTurbofan
Engine Manufacturer
Pratt & WhitneyGeneral Electric
Engine Model
F100-PW-220 F110-GE-129
Dry Thrust
65 kN14,590 lbs
76 kN17,155 lbs
Thrust w/ Afterburner
106 kN23,770 lbf
131 kN29,500 lbf
Max Thrust
211 kN47,540 lbf
131 kN29,500 lbf
Max Speed (Mach)
Mach 2.50Mach 2.05
Top Speed
2,655 km/h1,650 mph
2,177 km/h1,353 mph
Range
5,556 km3,000 nm
4,223 km2,280 nm
Rate of Climb
340 m/s67,000 ft/min
254 m/s50,000 ft/min
Ceiling
19,812 m65,000 ft
17,678 m58,000 ft
G Limit
7 g9 g

What Are the Differences Between the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon

F-15 Eagle vs F-16 Fighting Falcon Size Comparison

  • At 19.40 meters, the F-15 Eagle is 4.30 meters longer than the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
  • With a wingspan of 13.10 meters, the F-15 Eagle is 3.10 meters wider from wingtip to wingtip.
  • The wing area of the F-15 Eagle is 0.70 meters bigger than that of the F-16 Fighting Falcon’s 4.90 meters.

F-15 Eagle vs F-16 Fighting Falcon Price

  • The F-15 Eagle is more expensive than the F-16 Fighting Falcon, with a unit cost of approximately 87 million compared to the F-16 Fighting Falcon’s unit cost of approximately 64 million.

F-15 Eagle vs F-16 Fighting Falcon Speed

  • The F-15 Eagle has a top speed of 1,650 miles per hour, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon has a top speed of 1,353 miles per hour. Head to head, this makes the F-15 Eagle 297 miles per hour faster than the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

About the F-15 Eagle

The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, now part of Boeing, is an iconic twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter aircraft. Originating from the United States, it was primarily designed for air superiority missions.

Production History: Developed in the early 1970s, the F-15 entered service with the United States Air Force in 1976. It was a response to the need for a dedicated air superiority fighter, with capabilities far exceeding previous aircraft in terms of performance and agility. Over the years, it has been produced in various models, including the F-15A/B, C/D, and the ground-attack variant, the F-15E Strike Eagle.

Design Features: The F-15 features a twin-engine Pratt & Whitney setup that ensures survivability and a high power-to-weight ratio, facilitating supersonic speeds without afterburners. It has a notable frameless bubble canopy for enhanced pilot visibility, a side-mounted control stick for ease of maneuvering, and advanced avionics for multi-role missions.

Operational History: The F-15 has been deployed in various conflicts, showcasing its air dominance in operations such as Desert Storm. Its design has allowed for versatility in roles, ranging from air-to-air combat to ground attack missions. The F-15E Strike Eagle variant, in particular, has been effective in strike roles due to its advanced sensors and weaponry.

Comparison with Similar Models:

F-15 Eagle vs. F-16 Fighting Falcon

Role: The F-15 is optimized for air superiority with its powerful radar and payload capacity, making it ideal for dominating the skies. The F-16, known for its agility and multirole capabilities, excels in both air-to-air combat and air-to-ground missions, offering versatility.

Performance: The F-15 boasts higher speed and payload, enabling it to carry a wide range of weapons. The F-16, while slightly less capable in terms of payload, offers superior maneuverability and efficiency, making it effective in a variety of combat scenarios.

F-15 Eagle vs. F-22 Raptor

Technology: The F-22 is a fifth-generation fighter with stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and supercruise, significantly outpacing the F-15's fourth-generation technology.

Role: The F-15 was designed as an unbeatable air superiority fighter, while the F-22 expands on this role with stealth and ground attack capabilities, redefining air superiority for the modern era.

About the F-16 Fighting Falcon

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, now produced by Lockheed Martin, is a single-engine, supersonic, multirole fighter aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force. It was designed as an air superiority day fighter but evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,600 units have been produced since its introduction in the late 1970s, and it remains in service with the USAF and 25 other nations.

Production History: The F-16 was first introduced on 17 August 1978, following its first official flight on 2 February 1974. Initially conceived under the Lightweight Fighter (LWF) program, the F-16 was selected for its agility, maneuverability, and versatility. General Dynamics began its production, which was later continued by Lockheed Martin after 1993.

Design Features: Notable for its bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick for ease of maneuvering, and an ejection seat inclined 30 degrees to reduce g-force effects on the pilot, the F-16 was pioneering in incorporating fly-by-wire flight control systems, making it one of the most agile fighters of its time. It features an internal M61 Vulcan cannon and can carry numerous missiles and bombs across 11 hardpoints.

Operational History: The F-16 has seen extensive action across numerous conflicts, showcasing its capabilities in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attacks. It has been a staple in operations such as the 1991 Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The aircraft's versatility has also made it a favorite for the Thunderbirds, the USAF's aerial demonstration team.

Comparison with Similar Models:

F-16 Fighting Falcon vs. F/A-18 Hornet

Role and Capabilities: Both aircraft are multirole fighters capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The F-16 is known for its agility in air combat, while the F/A-18 offers additional versatility with carrier operations capability.

Performance: The F-16 boasts a top speed of over Mach 2 and a range of 2,002 miles, making it exceptionally effective in quick strikes and air superiority roles. The F/A-18, while also capable of reaching high speeds and offering significant payload capacity, is optimized for carrier-based operations, providing a blend of speed, firepower, and versatility.

F-16 Fighting Falcon vs. F-35 Lightning II

Technology: The F-35 represents a generational leap in technology with stealth capabilities, advanced sensor fusion, and significantly improved avionics. In contrast, the F-16 is less stealthy but is highly maneuverable and has been continuously upgraded to enhance its combat effectiveness.

Role: While the F-16 was designed as a cost-effective, highly maneuverable multirole fighter, the F-35 is intended to serve multiple roles with a focus on stealth, reconnaissance, ground attack, and air superiority.

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Values shown may not be 100% accurate, as some metrics are averages or only represent certain production years and configurations. Engine specs are based on the best options available.

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