Systems for air superiority
An air-superiority fighter exists to defeat other aircraft and control contested airspace. The deciding specs are kinematic performance (thrust-to-weight and climb rate), sensor reach (radar range and datalink), and missile engagement envelope, in that order. A jet that sees first and holds more energy usually wins before either side gets a gun shot.
82 matching systems in our database.
What matters for air superiority
- ●Thrust-to-weight: above 1.0 the aircraft can accelerate going straight up, which decides most within-visual-range fights.
- ●Max speed (Mach) and rate of climb: energy to disengage, re-engage or run down an intercept.
- ●Radar range: detecting first lets the pilot choose the terms of engagement before being seen.
- ●Hardpoints and compatible air-to-air missiles: how many engagements the jet can sustain per sortie.
Air Superiority systems in our database
Lockheed Martin
F-22A Raptor
Dassault Aviation
Rafale F4
Lockheed Martin
F-35A Lightning II
Lockheed Martin
F-35B Lightning II
Lockheed Martin
F-35C Lightning II
Dassault Aviation
Rafale C
Dassault Aviation
Rafale M
Eurofighter GmbH
Eurofighter Typhoon
Boeing
F-15EX Eagle II
Lockheed Martin
F-16C Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon
Boeing
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)
KF-21 Boramae
Sukhoi
Su-57
Boeing
F-15C Eagle
Lockheed Martin
F-16C Block 52 Fighting Falcon
Boeing
F/A-18C Hornet
Saab AB
JAS 39E Gripen
Dassault Aviation
Mirage 2000-5
Sukhoi
Su-35S
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)
FA-50 Golden Eagle
Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG)
J-10C
Saab AB
JAS 39C Gripen
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC)
JF-17 Thunder
Mikoyan (MiG)
MiG-29
Mikoyan (MiG)
MiG-35
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi F-2
Sukhoi
Su-30SM
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Tejas Mk1A
Northrop Grumman
F-14 Tomcat
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC)
J-16
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC)
J-15
Mikoyan (MiG)
MiG-31
Sukhoi
Su-27
Boeing
F-4E Phantom II
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC)
J-35
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC)
JF-17 Thunder Block 3
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC)
J-11B
AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China)
J-20
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Tejas Mk2
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC)
J-8II
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi F-15J/DJ
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Tejas Navy Mk1
Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation
F-CK-1 Ching-kuo
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
AMCA
Sukhoi
Su-75 Checkmate
Turkish Aerospace Industries
TAI Kaan
Cochin Shipyard Limited
Vikrant
Babcock International Group
Queen Elizabeth-class
Fincantieri
Cavour
Dassault Aviation
Mirage 2000-9
Dassault Aviation
Mirage F1
Boeing
MQ-28 Ghost Bat
Raytheon (RTX)
AIM-120D AMRAAM
Raytheon (RTX)
AIM-9X Sidewinder
MBDA
Meteor
Defence Research and Development Organisation
Astra Mk1
HESA Aviation Industry (Kowsar Program)
Kowsar
China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC)
Type 002 Shandong
China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC)
Type 003 Fujian
Denel Aviation
A-Darter
MBDA
ASRAAM
Anduril Industries
Fury (YFQ-44A)
MBDA
MICA EM
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Python 4
Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV)
R-73
Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV)
R-77
Naval Group
Charles de Gaulle
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Derby
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
Python-5
Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV)
R-27
Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV)
R-37M
Naval Group
France Libre (PANG)
Boeing
F-47
TÜBİTAK SAGE
Gökdoğan / Bozdoğan
AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China)
PL-10
AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China)
PL-15
Shield AI
X-BAT
Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG)
J-36
Roketsan
Gökbora
BAE Systems
GCAP Tempest
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC)
J-50
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
YFQ-42A (Dark Merlin)
Frequently asked questions
- What makes a fighter good at air superiority?
- High thrust-to-weight (above 1.0 lets it out-accelerate an adversary going straight up), a capable AESA radar for first detection, and enough hardpoints to carry a useful air-to-air missile load. Maneuverability matters, but seeing and shooting first from a datalink-networked jet usually decides the fight before it becomes a dogfight.
- Does stealth matter for air superiority?
- Yes. Signature reduction delays the point at which an adversary's radar gets a firing solution, which extends the window where your own sensors and missiles have the advantage.