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F-15 Eagle vs. Chengdu J-10

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F-15

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J-10

Role
Air-superiority fighterMulitrole fighter
Generation
4th generation4.5 generation
National Origin
United StatesChina
Manufacturer
McDonnell DouglasChengdu
Price (USD)
$87 Million$41 Million
Primary Users
US Air ForcePeople's Liberation Army Air Force
First Flight
19721998
Last Production Year
In ProductionIn Production
# Units Built
>1600>550
Status
In ServiceIn Service
Seats
11
Length
19 m63 ft
16 m55 ft
Wingspan
13 m42 ft
9 m32 ft
Wing Area
56 m²608 ft²
37 m²398 ft²
Height
5 m18 ft
5 m18 ft
Empty Weight
12,701 kg28,000 lbs
9,750 kg21,495 lbs
Gross Weight
20,185 kg44,500 lbs
14,000 kg30,865 lbs
MTOW
30,844 kg68,000 lbs
21,000 kg46,297 lbs
Fuel Capacity
6,103 kg13,455 lbs
3,860 kg8,510 lbs
Number of Engines
21
Engine Type
TurbofanTurbofan
Engine Manufacturer
Pratt & WhitneyShenyang
Engine Model
F100-PW-220 WS-10B
Dry Thrust
65 kN14,590 lbs
89 kN20,050 lbs
Thrust w/ Afterburner
106 kN23,770 lbf
142 kN32,000 lbf
Max Thrust
211 kN47,540 lbf
142 kN32,000 lbf
Max Speed (Mach)
Mach 2.50Mach 2.10
Top Speed
2,655 km/h1,650 mph
2,327 km/h1,446 mph
Range
5,556 km3,000 nm
2,408 km1,300 nm
Rate of Climb
340 m/s67,000 ft/min
300 m/s59,000 ft/min
Ceiling
19,812 m65,000 ft
17,983 m59,000 ft
G Limit
7 g9 g

What Are the Differences Between the F-15 Eagle and Chengdu J-10

F-15 Eagle vs Chengdu J-10 Size Comparison

  • At 19.40 meters, the F-15 Eagle is 2.50 meters longer than the Chengdu J-10.
  • With a wingspan of 13.10 meters, the F-15 Eagle is 3.30 meters wider from wingtip to wingtip.
  • The wing area of the Chengdu J-10 is 0.10 meters bigger than that of the F-15 Eagle’s 5.60 meters.

F-15 Eagle vs Chengdu J-10 Price

  • The F-15 Eagle is more expensive than the Chengdu J-10, with a unit cost of approximately 87 million compared to the Chengdu J-10’s unit cost of approximately 41 million.

F-15 Eagle vs Chengdu J-10 Speed

  • The F-15 Eagle has a top speed of 1,650 miles per hour, and the Chengdu J-10 has a top speed of 1,446 miles per hour. Head to head, this makes the F-15 Eagle 204 miles per hour faster than the Chengdu J-10.

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 Chengdu J-10

The Chengdu J-10 "Vigorous Dragon" is a single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) of China. Introduced in the early 2000s, the J-10 represents China's effort to develop an indigenous fourth-generation fighter capable of executing air-to-air combat and ground attack missions.

Production History: The development of the J-10 began in the mid-1980s, with the aim of producing a high-performance fighter to counter advancing threats and replace older aircraft in China's arsenal. The first prototype flew in 1998, and the aircraft officially entered service in 2006. Since then, the J-10 has undergone several upgrades, resulting in variants such as the J-10A, J-10B, and J-10C.

Design Features: The J-10 features a delta wing and canard design, contributing to its high maneuverability and agility. It is powered by a single Russian-designed AL-31FN turbofan engine, with later variants (J-10C) adopting the more powerful WS-10A turbofan. The aircraft is equipped with an advanced avionics suite, including an AESA radar (in the J-10C variant), which significantly enhances its air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities. Its weapons bay and multiple external hardpoints allow it to carry a wide range of Chinese and Russian-made ordnance.

Operational History:

The J-10 has become a key component of the PLAAF and the People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF), performing various roles, including air superiority, strike, and reconnaissance missions. While it has not been combat-tested in international conflicts, the J-10 regularly participates in military exercises and air shows, demonstrating its capabilities and serving as a symbol of China's growing aerospace industry and military power.

Comparison with Similar Models:

J-10 "Vigorous Dragon" vs. Dassault Rafale

Operational Flexibility: Both the J-10 and Rafale are designed as multi-role fighters capable of executing a wide range of missions. The Rafale is noted for its omnirole capabilities, and the J-10C offers similar multi-mission flexibility.

Engine and Performance: The Rafale operates with two engines, offering redundancy and enhanced thrust, while the J-10 relies on a single engine.

J-10 "Vigorous Dragon" vs. F-16 Fighting Falcon

Design and Maneuverability: The F-16 has long been praised for its maneuverability and dogfighting prowess, made possible by its innovative fly-by-wire control system. The J-10 shares these qualities, with its canard-delta configuration.

Technological Evolution: While the F-16 has been continuously upgraded over decades, resulting in a highly refined aircraft with extensive combat experience, the J-10 represents a newer generation of design philosophy.

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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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