Top Ten Carrier Fighters 2015

[Major Shaitan Singh]

Carrier-borne fighters are a rare beast, with only the US boasting a sizeable force. Selection for a top ten was easy, as there’s barely ten types in total! The ordering of these types was a lot harder and to some extent subjective, though the winner is certainly an extraordinary aircraft.

10.Lockheed Martin F-35B/C Lightning II



Strictly speaking the F-35 doesn’t deserve a place on the list as it’s not yet operational, but as training as begun (and we’re short of an aircraft), we have included it. In time the F-35B and C will deserve separate entries. The next new naval fighter after the F-35 may be India’s equally long-delayed Tejas.

9. BAe Sea HarrierFRS.Mk51



Indian’s aged Sea Harriers are not considered as capable as the FA.2s that Britain’s Royal Navy used to operate and of the thirty delivered only around 11 are still flying. However the Limited Upgrade Sea Harrier (LUSH) upgrade gave aircraft the Elta EL/M-2032 radar and the potential to use the Rafael ‘Derby’ medium-range beyond visual range air-to-air missile.

8. McDonnell Douglas AF-1 (A-4) Skyhawk



Brazil’s A-4s remain a viable aircraft despite the almost prehistoric airframe design. A host of promised, and in some cases, fulfilled upgrades have kept the beloved Scooter going on the deck of theClemenceau-class aircraft carrier São Paulo.Long-promised weapons-options include the were MAA-1B, Python 4 and Derby AAMS. Maybe one day they could be replaced by Sea Gripens.

7.Boeing AV-8B+ Harrier II/EAV-8B Matador



A mature platform with AMRAAM capability and a wide range of air-to-ground stores the modern Harrier is a well-equipped fighter-bomber that proved itself in the Close Air Support role in Afghanistan and the recce/attack/CAP roles over Libya. Sadly the Harrier is the most dangerous aircraft in US service with a shocking attrition-rate that is around three times higher than the F/A-18. As well as a high attrition rate the type is considerably slower than most of it peers. The aircraft is operated by the USMC and the Italian and Spanish Navy.

6.Sukhoi Su-33



The Sukhoi Su-33 was intended to serve on Soviet aircraft carriers, however by the time it entered service the nation it had been developed to protect had disappeared. Only a small number were produced and were considered rather inflexible (with limited weapons options). Now their avionics suite is obsolete and they face the indignity (at least in Sukhoi’s eyes) of being replaced with the smaller MiG-29K.

5. Shenyang J-15



Though not yet mature, the Chinese navy’s pirate ‘Flanker’s promise to be formidable machines. Utilizing the best of China’s indigenously developed (and highly-respected) weapons and sensors the J-15 will be a sophisticated, highly agile and long-ranged fighter. In terms of all-out performance it will enjoy a significant advantage over the Hornet family in several respects, notably high altitude performance.

4.McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet



The plucky ‘Bug’ is now in the twilight of its career. When it arrived on the scene in 1983 it was extremely advanced and trail-blazed many of the features that have since becomede rigueur for fighters, especially in the field of cockpit design and multimode radar. It remains the fighter to beat at low altitude and is still held in awe as a dogfighter (according to pilots it has the edge on its larger brother in a ‘knife fight’). It was always short on ‘legs’ (range) and struggled at the right hand corner of the performance envelope. The F/A-18 will be replaced in US Navy and USMC service by the F-35.

 

[Major Shaitan Singh]

3.Mikoyan MiG-29K



When Russia selected the Su-33 for its carriers many thought it had gone for the wrong type as the smaller MiG-29 offered more versatility. A complicated saga ensued, made more complicated by the fall and then rise of the Russian economy, MiG’s precarious position and the Indian Navy’s order for the type. The MiG-29K is a world away from the original ‘Fulcrum’ in terms of range, pilot interface and sophistication and is one of the nastiest naval fighters to tangle with in the within-visual range merge. It is no slouch in the BVR regime either, with an advanced radar and the widely-feared R-77 ‘AMRAAMSKI. India has 45 on order (and has received more than 30), the Russian Navy has ordered 24).

2.Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet



The Super Hornet rectified the legacy Bug’s main shortcomings of limited range and bring-back (the weight of stores that the aircraft can bring back to the carrier after a mission). It also featured radar cross section measures which are rumoured to make it the stealthiest fighter (in terms of frontal cross section) this side of the F-22 (though Dassault may dispute this). The Super Hornet retains the ‘Turbo Nose’ of the Hornet (the almost uncanny ability to point the aircraft quickly and accurately). Though the APG-79 AESA radar of Block II aircraft has been plagued with unreliability issues, it was one of the first to offer simultaneous air and ground modes.

The Super Hornet is fitted with some great kit and is compatible with a larger range of stores than any fighter on this list. Where it falls down is its poor performance at higher altitudes and speed, where its relative lack of poke is an issue. Despite this the Super Hornet has repeatedly proven its ability to rise to any challenges as a robust and reliable fighter. (All US Navy fighters are supported by the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, a powerful force multiplier with a ‘stealth-busting’ UHF radar).

1.Dassault Rafale M



Dassault’s Rafale is a masterpiece of aeronautical engineering. Despite being burdened with the additional weight of being a carrier fighter it can mix it with the best fighters in the world. In performance it is closely matched to the Typhoon, with the French fighter enjoying an advantage at lower altitudes. Few fighters excel at both the fighter and the bomber mission, the Rafale is a rare exception.

According to one test pilot the Rafale’s flight control system is unmatched in its responsiveness and precision (and markedly superior to the F-16) , an important consideration, especially for a carrier fighter. Defended by SPECTRA, which some regard as the best defensive aids suite in the world, guided by one of the world’s most sophisticated radars and well armed with weapons which include the most advanced aircraft cannon, the Rafale is the hottest naval fighter in the world.

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India's Defence Goal by Nayeem Sheikh

 

[ito]

There is no doubt that Rafale M, Super Hornet and MIG 29k are the best A/C fighters.

 

[OrionHunter]

We have the best of the best - the MiG-29K and the Rafale. Hope we get the naval versions of the Rafale for the spanking new AC Vikrant!

 

[GURU DUTT]

great threat indeed thanks Major saab

but i beleve the list is faulty i guess the best carrier based fighter today in Lockheed Martin F-35B/C Lightning II followed by F/A -18 E/F advanced super hornet followed by Rafale M > F 18 > Boeing AV-8B+ Harrier II/EAV-8B Matador > Mig 29K > Su 33 > J15 >BAe Sea HarrierFRS.Mk51 > McDonnell Douglas AF-1 (A-4) Skyhawk

 

[Guynextdoor2]

Then why consider Rafale M? The Mig 29 UKB can be the mainline fighter for INS vishal too. I'm sure the advantages of common platform will be more than the cost of inducting a new fighter.

 

[Taygibay]

As things stand, that list is quite correct! Even by metrics alone, it makes sense.
I'm glad the MiG-29K got the first place out of non Catobar types too and that the SEM was
not counted as it will retire in literally months even though it still beats Scooters and Harriers.

Rare list based on perfs and not fancy, good job Nayeem/Shaitan and good day all, Tay.

 

[Tipu7]

In my opinion correct configuration is

1: F35 Lightening II

2: Rafale

3: F/A 18 Super Hornet

4: J15

5: Su33

6: Mig29 K

7: F/A 18 Hornet

8: Boeing Harrier

9: Sea Harrier

10: A4

 

[Agent_47]

IN operated Sea Harriers are a generation behind US operated harriers.

 

[Optimos Prime IA]

Carrier-borne fighters are a rare beast, with only the US boasting a sizeable force. Selection for a top ten was easy, as there’s barely ten types in total! The ordering of these types was a lot harder and to some extent subjective, though the winner is certainly an extraordinary aircraft.

10.Lockheed Martin F-35B/C Lightning II



Strictly speaking the F-35 doesn’t deserve a place on the list as it’s not yet operational, but as training as begun (and we’re short of an aircraft), we have included it. In time the F-35B and C will deserve separate entries. The next new naval fighter after the F-35 may be India’s equally long-delayed Tejas.

9. BAe Sea HarrierFRS.Mk51



Indian’s aged Sea Harriers are not considered as capable as the FA.2s that Britain’s Royal Navy used to operate and of the thirty delivered only around 11 are still flying. However the Limited Upgrade Sea Harrier (LUSH) upgrade gave aircraft the Elta EL/M-2032 radar and the potential to use the Rafael ‘Derby’ medium-range beyond visual range air-to-air missile.

8. McDonnell Douglas AF-1 (A-4) Skyhawk



Brazil’s A-4s remain a viable aircraft despite the almost prehistoric airframe design. A host of promised, and in some cases, fulfilled upgrades have kept the beloved Scooter going on the deck of theClemenceau-class aircraft carrier São Paulo.Long-promised weapons-options include the were MAA-1B, Python 4 and Derby AAMS. Maybe one day they could be replaced by Sea Gripens.

7.Boeing AV-8B+ Harrier II/EAV-8B Matador



A mature platform with AMRAAM capability and a wide range of air-to-ground stores the modern Harrier is a well-equipped fighter-bomber that proved itself in the Close Air Support role in Afghanistan and the recce/attack/CAP roles over Libya. Sadly the Harrier is the most dangerous aircraft in US service with a shocking attrition-rate that is around three times higher than the F/A-18. As well as a high attrition rate the type is considerably slower than most of it peers. The aircraft is operated by the USMC and the Italian and Spanish Navy.

6.Sukhoi Su-33



The Sukhoi Su-33 was intended to serve on Soviet aircraft carriers, however by the time it entered service the nation it had been developed to protect had disappeared. Only a small number were produced and were considered rather inflexible (with limited weapons options). Now their avionics suite is obsolete and they face the indignity (at least in Sukhoi’s eyes) of being replaced with the smaller MiG-29K.

5. Shenyang J-15



Though not yet mature, the Chinese navy’s pirate ‘Flanker’s promise to be formidable machines. Utilizing the best of China’s indigenously developed (and highly-respected) weapons and sensors the J-15 will be a sophisticated, highly agile and long-ranged fighter. In terms of all-out performance it will enjoy a significant advantage over the Hornet family in several respects, notably high altitude performance.

4.McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C/D Hornet



The plucky ‘Bug’ is now in the twilight of its career. When it arrived on the scene in 1983 it was extremely advanced and trail-blazed many of the features that have since becomede rigueur for fighters, especially in the field of cockpit design and multimode radar. It remains the fighter to beat at low altitude and is still held in awe as a dogfighter (according to pilots it has the edge on its larger brother in a ‘knife fight’). It was always short on ‘legs’ (range) and struggled at the right hand corner of the performance envelope. The F/A-18 will be replaced in US Navy and USMC service by the F-35.

I totally express my serious reservations for giving 5th rank for J15 over Harier 2 and Su33 .This is laughable.

According to the Sina Military Network, that has (weirdly) criticized the Flying Shark calling it a “flopping fish”, the recent tests with heavy weapons have limited the attack range of the J-15 to a distance of 120 kilometers from the carrier: whilst it is said to be capable to carry 12 tons of weapons, when the aircraft is fully loaded with fuel, it can’t carry more than 2 tons of missiles and munitions, meaning that only two YJ-83K anti-ship missiles and two PL-8 air-to-air missiles could be carried (in an anti-ship configuration).

People’s Liberation Army Navy’s next generation carriers will have electromagnetic catapults that will safely launch heavy J-15s. The problem is the ski-jump ramp of the current, only PLA Navy aircraft carrier, that makes take off of aircraft exceeding 26 tons of total weight extremely difficult unless you have a more powerful aircraft, as the Mig-29K.

And And F35 even thou still at trainer stage you gave it 10th place ? And you give 5th place to J15 ?

 

[Srinivas]

F 35 rating is not correct I think.

 

[Optimos Prime IA]

In my opinion correct configuration is

1: F35 Lightening II

2: Rafale

3: F/A 18 Super Hornet

4: J15

5: Su33

6: Mig29 K

7: F/A 18 Hornet

8: Boeing Harrier

9: Sea Harrier

10: A4

J15 won't be in s service in large numbers . Rather it could be an training platform . J20 and J35 will have under development for carrier operation since the range and play load carrying capabilities are very restricted as for as J15 is concerned .

 

[Tipu7]

J15 won't be in s service in large numbers . Rather it could be an training platform . J20 and J35 will have under development for carrier operation since the range and play load carrying capabilities are very restricted as for as J15 is concerned .

replace it with J16 then....................... what ever Chinese ''copy'' air craft is introduced in naval warfare. it will be good enough to have 5 th place

 

[Optimos Prime IA]

In my opinion correct configuration is

1: F35

2: Rafale

3: F/A 18 Super Hornet

4: J15

5: Su33

6: Mig29 K

7: F/A 18 Hornet

8: Boeing Harrier

9: Sea Harrier

10: A4

1: F35 Lightening II

2: Rafale

3: F/A 18 Super Hornet

4: Mig29K

5: Su33

6: F18 Hornet

7: J15

8: Boeing Harrier

9: Sea Harrier

10: A4

 

[Manindra]

In my opinion correct configuration is

1: F35 Lightening II

2: Rafale

3: F/A 18 Super Hornet

4: J15

5: Su33

6: Mig29 K

7: F/A 18 Hornet

8: Boeing Harrier

9: Sea Harrier

10: A4

When operational F-35C version would be most capable carrier fighter in the world but F-35B is shit.